I loved having this family of four to the studio for their newborn session. Gracie, that fireball you’ll be gawking over in just a minute, is the sweetest, sassiest toddler and shaping up to be a great big sister all ready! I’ve photographed her twice now, and this time got to meet and snuggle with her adorable new baby sister, Emersyn. Scroll down for a peek into their session, and some serious infant sweetness!
1) Can you share with our readers a little about your family? Where are you from originally? How did you and your partner meet and end up living in Groton, CT?
Our family consists of myself (Erin), my husband (Phil), our two beautiful girls (Gracelyn and Emersyn), a boxer (Remington) and a chihuahua (Bentley). My husband and I are from a small town in Northern California called Susanville,. We met in high school and shortly after he joined the Navy. Once he finished Basic Training and Sub School he was stationed on the USS Connecticut in Bremerton, WA. I moved up to be with him and within the next year we were engaged and married. His next duty station was shore duty here in Groton, CT.
2) How did you break the news to your partner that you were expecting a baby?
In the Nex lol. I was on my way to the clinic for the blood test to confirm the pregnancy and he text me he was off work and on his way to the Nex. I didn’t want to tell him I was on the way to the clinic so I told him I was on base and I would meet him. I did want to tell him there but I’m terrible at keeping secrets so when he asked me why I was on base, I blurted it out I was pregnant in the uniform shop lol.
3) What was your pregnancy with baby like? Did you suffer from any morning sickness? Have any strange cravings?
This pregnancy was so different from my first. I totally thought it was a boy this time. This pregnancy I had terrible all day nausea during the first trimester and craved ALL the carbs. Im pretty sure I lived off pasta and pepperoni pizza for the first three months.
4) What was your first thought when you found out the sex of your baby?
Uh oh!! Here we go again lol.
5) Which part of your pregnancy did you enjoy the most? And the least?
My pregnancies were both pretty great. I loved feeling all the little movements and always having a little buddy with you. It’s so comforting. My least favorite part was definitely the end. I was high risk so there were so many appts. I was also very uncomfortable. This baby was two pounds heavier than my first and I could feel it for sure. Ugh.
6) What was your birth experience like?
I was induced at 39 weeks. We thought we would be having a baby May 6th but she had other plans. She came just after midnight on May 7th.
7) What’s been the grossest thing you’ve experienced since becoming parents?
Poop. So much poop. Potty training the literally the worst.
8) What’s the sweetest, most memorable moment of parenthood for you so far?
The moment my first born met our new baby. Talk about heart melting.
9) What was the last non-baby-related book you read?
The Last Girl by Joe Hart
10) What feelings came up during your pregnancy about your baby?
I was scared and excited. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to love another child the way I loved my first. But I was so excited to meet this little being and just let the love happen. I knew once I saw her all my preconceived notions of having a second baby would go out the window. I knew my heart would make room and man does it. These little girls are my world and I can’t imagine my life without them.
11) What were you most looking forward to about the arrival of your new baby?
Seeing my daughter become a big sister. Knowing she would have a best friend for life. Also if this baby would also have red hair. Turns out she doesn’t lol.
12) As a military family, what additional struggles have you faced due to your lifestyle? (i.e. spouse deployed during pregnancy, birth, or shortly before or after, moving to a new duty station near your due date/the birth, or shortly after, etc.)
PCS to Guam just two short months after birth. Talk about anxiety.
13) If applicable, how are you feeling about returning to work once your maternity leave is up?
Thankfully I am able to stay home with our girls but I would be lying if I didn’t say I was terrified to be left alone with the girls for the first time once my husband went back to work. It was such a transition but thankfully it was not as scary as a I thought it was going to be.
14) What tips or advice would you give other parents as they experience their first few weeks of parenting and welcoming their newborn into their family?
Go with the flow and cherish the chaos. This time in your life is not going to last forever. These little beings will change your life in so many ways, and mostly for the best lol.
