i {heart} you

Posted on February 11, 2011

This month is Heart Month, this week is CHD {congenital heart defect} awareness week.

Some of you may have followed Kristen’s story on my facebook page. I had the pleasure of meeting her parents when her mom Jamie was pregnant with Kristen.

I then had the honor to photograph her when she was 11 days old. She was a little angel and slept through most of the photos. Their dog scooter, so amazing with her, watching over her. The following day as I was proofing these photos of Kristen, Jamie’s facebook status changed to notify her friends that she was taking Kristen to RVH then Sickkids as the midwives had heard a heart murmur.

I am also a nurse, and a mother, and I cannot for one moment imagine what Jamie and Andrew were going through with Kristen. She was diagnosed with CHD {Congenital Heart Defect} and was in heart failure. She was sent home on many medications in the hopes that she would get better.

At 6 months it appeared that Kristen was going to need surgery. I contacted her parents and gifted them a family session before surgery to “celebrate the moment”. They only had a few hours available during such a hectic time, and we were able to make it work. I arrived as Kristen was getting her NG {naso-gastric} tube feed.

She was so content, such a happy baby despite all she had to endure in a day.

Her parents were doing amazing, despite everything. She is so lucky to have these two for parents!

Kristen’s surgery was cancelled and re-scheduled, and she did amazing! After she had healed I went back and visited the Seal Family for a family photo shoot. I could hardly handle the difference in Kristen! She was fast asleep when I arrived. I managed to snap a few photos before she woke up!

Jamie wears a heart around her neck, and Kristen loved playing with it.

We then took it outside, and Kristen just stole my heart yet again with all her charm!

With Scooter always by her side. This dog is amazing!

This is one truly amazing family!

Kristen visited me in November in the studio for her first birthday portraits and Cake smash! We had a blast, and she is doing amazing! This one has stolen my heart forever!