Just Born
Just Waiting
Just Little 
Just Engaged
Just Love 
Just Married 
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!
and how cute is scooter?!
Such a great dad {and a great sport!}
I hope to be able to continue to photograph Kristen’s journey, and help to bring awareness to CHD.
Some CHD facts to leave you with {courtesy of Kristen’s mom Jamie}
~50% of all children diagnosed with CHD will need at least one invasive surgery
~There is no cure for CHD’s, only surgery and catheterizations to “repair” and medication to manage. It lasts a lifetime.
~There are 35 known CHD’s
~1-85-100 babies are born with a CHD
Posted on July 28, 2010
Adam is my youngest of four (2 of my own, 2 step-children). He just turned one. He is my observer. So happy to be surrounded by his family. He watches everything that goes on and takes it all in. He doesn’t crawl yet (although started bum scooting this week). He doesn’t walk yet, I haven’t had to baby proof {yet}. He is just content to play and “chat” and take in the chaotic world around him. With 3 older siblings, he has the opportunity to play with dolls and house with Mary, listen to {cool} head bobbing music with Jacob (and is constantly being subjected to wearing his “cool” hats), and cuddles and kisses and lots of play time with his big sister Chenoa. He will grow up always having these 3 to look out for him, and I treasure the bond that he will have with each of them.
He has just turned one this month, and I am amazed daily the light he brings to our lives, and how much love I have for him.
I captured these photos one day in the kitchen, while he was eating {playing} with spaghetti. I just love him.
Posted on July 15, 2010
One thing my husband and children love is strawberries {especially over ice cream-well lets be honest here, they will almost eat anything as long as it is over ice cream}. The weather was perfect for picking strawberries, a little bit cool, and sunny with a beautiful breeze. My daughter, step-daughter and I managed to escape the boys for a little girl time at a local farm in the strawberry field.
Mary has never been strawberry picking before, and she loved it. She didn’t know she could eat any, {and I didn’t really want her to know} until we found 3 really nice ripe ones and shared them amongst the three of us…..
Chenoa was a great help, keeping Mary on track on “their side” of the row…
We managed to fill 3 baskets before taking them home, washing them, and {of course} serving them over french vanilla ice cream. Mary can hardly wait for raspberry picking!