Newborn Photos

Precious Lene Lafoina. I can't get over that her newborn photos were taken ONE MONTH ago already! I want to freeze time and keep her in this newborn phase forever. I'm so grateful for being able to capture her in each phase, especially those precious few days of life! We just love our photographer, Kate at Kate Florian Photography, who also worked her magic with maternity photos here and here, and of course Mata's newborn photos here. She has such a special touch and knows exactly how to capture our family's vibe in every photo shoot!

The past month has been [knock on wood] smooth transitioning with our baby girl around. She's so patient and kind, as if the Lord knew exactly what we needed while helping Mata adjust to having to split everything in his life. Things are also easier having family around in rotation since we have lots of exciting busy things happening around this time: Fall semester has begun which means teaching is in full effect for me // Football season begins this weekend for Husker nation // My LO will be TWO in a few weeks // and on... and on... I'm also excited to work on blog content around career chatter!

Cheers to life! What's happening in your neck of the woods?

My [second] Birth Story

Last week on Friday, July 21st, we welcomed this sweet baby girl into our lives and in this world... Baby Lene. She is everything we could have ever dreamt about and more! 

Labor was similar to the first time around with Mata (blogged about here). I was scheduled to be induced Friday morning since I was officially 40 weeks (and 2 days), full term. By the time they finished admitting me, they started rolling with the pitocin at about 1pm. Labor was painless after the amazing epidural kicked in, and I progressed with minimal contractions. It was 4:40pm before I knew it and it was already time to start pushing this baby girl out to meet us! After 9 minutes of actually pushing, Baby Lene she was born at 7lbs, 19.5" long.

Shortly after she made her debut, her big brother, Mata met her, stared at her and loved on her right away. The first 4 days of Lene's life have been amazing so far. She sleeps a lot, nurses a lot, and gets TONS of kisses from brother.

If it's a bit quiet(er) on here than the usual, it's because I'm present in the moment loving on my children!

Photos by Bella Baby Photography

Maternity Photos

This week, I will be 37 weeks and counting! My, oh my how this time has passed by oh so quickly... completely faster than when I was counting down to the big D-day the first time around. My guess is it has to do with the fact that I have a 21-month old to keep busy and entertained. I've shared on the blog about how I'm taking these last few moments before our precious little baby girl arrives to be present with Mata and the Hubs. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit how ECSTATIC I am to meet her sweet newborn face in a few short weeks!

I am beyond pleased with how our maternity pictures came out (yet again). We truly found our go-to photographer while living here in Nebraska when we were preggo the first time. Kate from Kate Florian Photography is amazing!! She captures some of our best moments, which can be a difficult task with a little busy-body toddler that doesn't always like to smile on cue. But here we are sharing the last few moments of being a family of three while getting ready to transition to the family of four!

Grateful for an amazing sunrise this day... Grateful for Kate... Grateful for my boys... Grateful for a healthy pregnancy... Grateful for LIFE.