Baby K ~ 36 Weeks ~ Let the countdown begin.

Today marks 36 weeks.  Just look at that belly!!  :)

  So much has happened in the last month, but now we know everything there is to know and we've met with everyone there is to meet so here it is... 

32 Weeks:

Our first meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Ciccolo.  He took the time to show us pictures of different hearts and different procedures and spelled everything out for us.  No information left out and no questions unanswered.  I was scared at first to hear everything, but then left there feeling stronger and more optimistic.  He told us that he does these procedures about once a week...  We were comforted by his confidence, but couldn't believe that there are that many precious babies going through the same thing...  

33 Weeks:

Our first meeting with the Interventionalist, Dr. Rothman.  This is the first Dr. that Baby K will see first after he's born.  They will take him to the "Cath Lab" to do an ultrasound on his heart and decide if they can intervene by using a less invasive procedure rather than having the open heart surgery.  There is a very very slim chance that it will even work, but this is the order of things and how they figure out what is best for the baby.  

Also on this day, we had our hospital tour.  They walked us through all the main areas, but most importantly the NICU and the PICU.  (Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units)  Baby K will go to the NICU first prior to any procedure and then after procedures will go upstairs to the PICU for his recovery.  While we were there we got to meet two other heart babies.  A teeny tiny little girl resting peacefully in the NICU and a very handsome little boy who they called "JJ" recovering in the PICU.  We were beyond grateful to their parents for letting us come in and meet their precious babies!!  I look forward to being able to help new parents who come in and want to see what it's like.  It was a huge help for us.

Today, 36 Weeks:
Our Dr. has confirmed our delivery date of Wednesday, November 27th.  I cannot believe that in just 16 short days we will meet the newest love of our lives!!  I am ready to get him out and get to the next step.  At our check up on Thursday the cardiologist said that he saw no change in Baby's heart.  He said at this point there are commonly other complications that can arise, but Baby K is kickin' ass!  Keep your fingers and toes crossed in hopes that we can get through these next two weeks with no other problems.


Here's the hard part...  How do we tell our girls exactly what's going on?  They know he's going to be born soon.  They think that we're bringing him home a few days after... How do you make a 4 and 5 year old understand that their brother has a different heart than them.  This is what I am most scared of right now.  I know that this baby is a fighter and he's going to get through anything and everything.  I know it...  We can't wait for him to arrive, but our world is about to flip upside down and sideways.


  One last thing I need to add...  I would NOT be able to get through any of this without my amazing husband.  I may be the one carrying this special boy, but he is as much a part of all of this as I am.  I'm thankful for our late night conversations and holding me in your arms while you ease my fears... I'm thankful for the times when I can't hold it in anymore and you sit on the phone with me and listen to me cry...  I'm thankful for your weirdness and making me laugh...  Thank you for being you...  
I love you, Kyle.  

Baby K Update | 18-28 Weeks | Heart Baby | Heart Family

Originally I wanted to do weekly or bi-weekly updates, but as you can see it didn't turn out that way.  I did an announcement/update at 12 weeks and then wanted to do another update at 18 weeks when we found out the sex, but everything kind went crazy after that...  

18 Weeks:

We went in for our 'big' ultrasound.  We told the u.s. tech that we didn't want our girls to know because we wanted to have a big reveal party with the family and we knew they couldn't keep a secret for a whole week...  So she wrote it down on a little piece of paper and handed it to me.  It read, BOY!!!  What??  I could not believe it!!  I immediately started crying!!  I handed it over to Kyle and he put his hand up for a high five and said, "I knew I could do it!"  Ha!!  I love him!!  

So, then the u.s. went on for about an hour.  The tech told us that she was looking for something in his heart, but it just wasn't showing up.  She thought he may be too young still and we may need to have another one in a couple weeks.  No biggy right?  Wrong...

20 Weeks:

We go to see the OB for our regular scheduled check up.  Now, my Dr. is usually a pretty happy guy and always cracking jokes...this day he was not.  I always try not to worry or be nervous going into these appointments, but I could tell that he was very serious and was going to give us some bad news.  That little part of the heart that the tech was searching for turned out to be a bigger problem than what we thought.  The Dr. proceeded to tell us that our baby may have a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect-a hole in the heart) and an Echogenic Foci (a spot on the heart).  He didn't really go into a lot of detail about what these things actually mean, but what he did say is that usually things like this fix themselves during the remainder of the pregnancy and hopefully that's all it was.  He referred us to a Parinatologist (High Risk Pregnancy Specialist) to get another check up and find out exactly what was going on...  I thought this was the worst news ever and how could there be anything wrong with my baby??  How could he seem so sure that it would fix itself?  For the next two weeks all we could do was wait and hope for the best...

22 Weeks:

Our fist visit with the Parinatologist and Pediatric Cardiologist.  It turns out that the baby did not have a VSD or echogenic foci.  It was so much worse...  On this day August 9, 2013 our unborn son was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome or HRHS.  This means that the right ventricle of his heart is underdeveloped and much smaller than it should be and basically doesn't work.  The right side of your heart is what pumps the oxygenated blood into the left ventricle which then pumps your blood to the rest of your body.  Right now, he's ok not having much use of the right side.  He gets his oxygen from the placenta.  He is in the safest place possible right now...  When he's born and attempts to take his first breath, his little heart will only be able to do so much.  He will have to be immediately stabilized and will most likely go right in for his first of three open heart surgeries...  (I'll explain all of his procedures more in my coming updates.)

It's hard to imagine that any of this is really possible.  How can it be that every time we go for a check up and we see his beautiful little profile on the u.s. screen and hear his little heart beating like a tiny locomotive?  Every single day I have to reprocess all of this information in my head...

-Jump to 28 Weeks 3 Days

Here we are today, appreciating the body aches, the weight gain and the exhaustion so much more than I ever have.  Knowing that I'm the capsule holding this precious baby boy safe every day is the most rewarding feeling in the world.    He's my little heart baby and we are his heart family...

Up until today, the only people who know what's going on is our family and closest family friends.  I've been going back and forth about whether I was going to tell you all or not, but the bottom line is that I feel like every time I see a friend or client they ask me how I am and how's the baby and I answer with, "We're great!  He's great!" that I'm lying my face off.  I want to tell you the real story.  I want to tell you that yes, we are good because he's safe and sound for now, but I also want to tell you that I'm scared...  I've been shaking the entire time I've been typing this wondering if I'm doing the right thing.  Over the next 11 weeks there will be so many more appointments with the specialist and surgeons and psychologists and hospital neonatal tours and I hope you can bare with me...  My plan was to continue working through the end of November, but that has now changed to the end of October.  My last shooting day will be Sunday November 3rd and I will probably open up one weekend in October for holiday minis in hopes that I can fit you all in before I "leave".

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about all of this or a holiday session if you're interested. Or, if you can relate I'd love to hear your story.  You can email me at paisleylanephotography@gmail.com.  Thank you for your support and friendship.  I appreciate all of you!!!  

xoxo-Shawna        

Welcome to the world, Scarlet | Tobler Family | Newborn

I've known the Tobler family for a long time and I was thrilled that they asked me to be at the hospital for the birth of their little Scarlet!!  

I waited patiently in the waiting room with the family, but we did not have to wait long.  I went in to see Amber just let her know I was there and her words were, "Go get Brandon!  I have to push!!"  It seemed like just minutes later that Brandon came out to announce her arrival.  So exciting!!!  There's nothing more beautiful than the birth of a child...

And then there were five....

Thank you, Tobler Family, for letting me be a part of such an amazing day and welcoming me into your home to capture these priceless memories.  Your girls are beyond gorgeous and I love watching your family grow through my lens.     

BACK-TO-SCHOOL MINIS

Are your kids starting school next month??  Can you believe it??  I most certainly cannot believe that my babies are off to Kindergarten and Pre-K!  Craziness!!  That's why I decided to do these mini shoots.  If you're like me, you do not want to miss the opportunity to capture your baby's milestone.  Whether it's Pre-K or starting High School.  They are all important!!  

I was definitely not on top of my game last year when my oldest started Pre-K and yeah I have my handy dandy iPhone shots, but I wish I could go back and get those perfect little shots that I can put in a little album for her to have later.  You better believe my girls are coming out with me and the big camera this weekend! 

You don't want to miss this!!

Here's all the info!!  

Price: $125
Includes:
1/2 hour session + 5 Hi-res Digital Images + 1 (8 x 10) print 

Dates available
Saturday and Sunday August 10th and 11th
Saturday and Sunday August 17th and 18th

Times available:
6:00p-6:30p
6:30p-7:00p
7:00p-7:30p

*Location will be determined after slots are booked.

*You must schedule your session by Sunday July 28th.  That's one week from today!!  Email me HERE to get your slot!!

I look forward to hearing from you!! <3

Have a great week!!!

-Shawna

Tiny Miracles | Round Three | Limes

The time has finally come to fill everyone in on what's been going on in our lives for the past few months...  We are headed into round 3 of kids vs. parents.  We're expecting Norris Baby #3 in the beginning of December!!!  Now that our whole family is in the know and up to date on what's good, we thought we'd let you guys in on the great news too.  :)  The husband and I are so happy, but more importantly, our girls are so excited and cannot wait to meet their little sister or brother!!  Everywhere we go, my oldest tells complete strangers, "My name is Bryn and I'm 5 and this is my sister Karsyn and she's 3 and my mommy is having another baby!"  LOL!!  She will tell anyone who's willing to listen.  I love her!!  

Yes, we are finding out the sex!  I know a handful of people who are waiting and more power to them, but we are ridiculously impatient and have even talked about going to one of those 4d places just to find out even sooner.  We shall see....

So, I'm going into my 13th week, but this is my 12 week update.  Right now the baby is about the size of a lime and weighs half an ounce.  So weird!!  I love my weekly email updates telling me about what's forming and growing.  Truly amazing!!!!!  I just had my 12 wk check-up this week and took Bryn (my oldest) with me.  My Dr. let her control the heart monitor to listen the baby's heart beat!!  Such a cool experience for both of us.  Karsyn gets to go next time. :) :) 

I'm going to be doing updates every 2-4 weeks!!!  I didn't document my last pregnancies with pictures, but this time around I FOR SURE will be!  I regret not doing it :(  Plus, while it's fun for me, I think my kids will appreciate it when they're older.  

CLIENTS:

I will be taking limited sessions in October and November and will only be working through the middle of November.  It's never too early to schedule your holiday or fall family portraits so you need to get a hold of me soon to get in the book.  There is a non-refundable booking fee of $150 to guarantee your spot. (the booking fee DOES NOT include any digital images)  Please email me to get scheduled or if you have any questions!! 

paisleylanephotography@gmail.com 

Thanks and have a great night!!!

xoxo-Shawna 

Kylee | First Birthday | One-der Woman!!

Happy First Birthday to one of my most favorite little clients!!!  I've been photographing her and her wonderful family since she was just a cute little baby bump.  Can't believe she's a year old already!!  

Mom wanted to find a pretty location that was green with flowers in the background....well that's not so easy living in Vegas.  I covered the green part and Mom brought the flowers.  I think it worked out just fine! :)

Kylee, you are simply adorable.  

xoxo

Morris Family | Welcome baby Brennan

I first met Jen and Sean when I shot their super adorable maternity session a few months back.  click here!  Well, they're back on the blog today with their handsome new addition...  Welcome to the world, Brennan!!!   These images really speak for themselves!  These lucky parents were blessed with an adorable fuzzy headed little boy and I'm so lucky I get to be a part of capturing these special moments for them.  Get used to these amazing people because they're going to be on my blog many more times! ;) 

xoxo 

Sydney | Senior | Class of 2014

This stunning young lady is Sydney.  I had the pleasure of meeting her when she and her wonderful Mom, Galicia came to town for a soccer tournament.  They are from WA.  Her Mom is a fellow photog that I met through a photography workshop. We spent half the day walking around shooting in down town Las Vegas.  It was my chance to show my new friends that there is a cool, urban side to Sin City ;)  I had an absolute blast and I hope I get to shoot with Galicia again some day!!  Would love to travel to WA!!  Hint hint....wink wink....  

Sydney is AMAZING in front of the camera!!  A really perfect addition to my portfolio!!  I hope you all enjoy these images.  

Be sure to check out my friend on facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/PhotosbyGalicia