Newborn Pics + a fun Lilly Pulitzer top!

Right before Sebastian was born, my sweet former student/photographer pro, Andrea Swofford, texted me to say she wanted to gift us a newborn session of pictures. It was soooo kind and thoughtful, and it ended up being the perfect gift because while Bella Baby Photography came around for Seb's in-hospital newborn sesh, I was busy being whisked away for an emergency MRI to determine why I couldn't feel my legs. (Read more about that here). Mike was a mess, but the pictures still went on. (Bella Baby is a company that comes around to all the newborns in the hospital and takes pictures-- they were gorgeous pictures, but there are a just a couple with Mike, and he was beside himself the whole time, and there were none with me holding Seb and none of us as a family of 3). Andrea also happens to work for Bella Baby at a nearby hospital (not where I delivered). She is seriously the baby whisperer!

^^These three were the ones with Mike from the hospital-- the nurses and Bella Baby photographer convinced him to get himself together and take some pics-- or I would be mad! Haha! But poor Mike hadn't slept in two days and was beside himself wondering what was happening with me. It was all a tumultuous and scary time, and definitely not the best time for taking pictures. 

At any rate, I wanted newborn pictures with us, too, and when we were in a way better state of mind. Andrea made this happen and came to our house (with our favorite Starbucks drinks for us, no less!!) and was amazing. 

I had packed this Lilly Pulitzer top in my hospital bag, thinking I could throw it on for pictures because it was so vibrant and flowy. (PS: I got it on the Lilly Pulitzer after party sale for $50!). However, I never got out of my hospital gown. It's so funny how in my head I thought delivery would go vs. how it really went. Live and learn, I guess? I definitely wasn't wearing my Posh Peanut palm frond robe around while holding Sebastian in his little safari animal swaddle -- haha! One day. It's the comfiest robe ever, for the record. And his swaddle is just amazing!!!! (See below).

^^These were from the hospital-- super adorable!  But everything was so chaotic-- I wanted to watch the pictures and be in the room. Thank God for Andrea!!!

Enter Andrea, the baby whisperer: 

Andrea was so good at swaddling! Mike and I can never do it with blankets. We use the velcro ones! hahaha

Must have arms free!!!! 

I don't like when people know my weight either, buddy! hahaha

This onesie is from my cousin, Ashley!

^^ My all-time favorite picture!!! 

Those Freshly Picked moccasins are from Anna! I am obsessed!!! 

^^ Mike got the sound waves of our wedding vows put on canvas!! 

There is a QR code on the back, so you can hear each. Amazing gift! 

I love this one!! 

^^ Haha! Seb was done with pics!!! lol 

More flowy Lilly tops-- perfect for post preggo or not! Mine is a size small for reference. I always wait until the sales to get these tops-- FYI. I would never pay $100+ for a shirt. LOL! But on sale, they get down to $40-60 or less! The Elsa tops are amazing for work with dressy pants. I adore them! They do run big, though, so size down. 

My lip color is my trusty Stila Amalfi still from my wedding on July 11, 2015, (that's how long it lasts-- you literally do not have to reapply it when you wear it!). I also linked the Bella color-- it's my other favorite pink by Stila in the all-day color!

My earrings:

Both my earrings and bracelets were free gifts with purchases from Lilly Pulitzer. Here are a few of my favorite jewels right now from Lilly:

xxoo

Mary

Sebastian Joseph Fremeau is Here! And some #realtalk about labor.

This is the most joyous post I have ever written: our son, Sebastian Joseph Fremeau is here! He arrived at 3:20 am on April 7, 2018. He is the most amazing gift from God, and we just continue to thank God for Seb's health.  He was 8 lbs 1 oz at birth, and 20.5 inches long! 

The dogs have adjusted really well! ^^^

I didn't think it was possible, but I realized I love Mike even more now that he is Sebastian's dad. 

Admittedly, the labor and delivery was pretty awful for me (aside from welcoming the love of my life into the world!). I pushed for 4 hours, and during that time, I somehow re-injured an old herniated disc in my lower left spine. We didn't know this after delivery, and so when I couldn't feel from my knees down on both legs way after the epidural should have worn off, we automatically panicked. The anesthesiologists, doctors, nurses and physical therapists tried to figure out why a couple days later, I still had no feeling in my legs. The anesthesiologists wanted to rule out that it wasn't a result of the epidural, so I had an emergency MRI. Meanwhile, Mike was left to handle a newborn on his own and worry about what was happening with me. It was traumatic.

The doctors think this injury could have been as a result of where Sebastian was positioned and how they were trying to have me turn him (he was "sunny side up"). He came out with a little abrasion on his head, which has since fully healed! But otherwise, he is doing really well!!! 

After the MRI could determine I wasn't bleeding into my spine, it was a little more comforting. However, the prognosis was dire: I might not be able to feel my legs and feet for 6-8 weeks. All this was happening, and I was wondering how I could lift and carry my baby. I couldn't even stand or walk alone-- I had a bed alarm on my bed because the nurses had to walk me to and from the bathroom or anywhere. Ugh. It was a horrible experience. 

But, every day I have regained feeling in my legs and feet! I no longer have to walk with the walker we got from the hospital, and I can shower alone now, too! My right foot has so much feeling back that I could drive myself to physical therapy yesterday! Now, I am still waiting on the left to regain more feeling, but I am getting there! I can do the steps myself at home, too, but I still don't feel comfortable carrying Sebastian up and down them yet. Soon, but not yet. 

However, Sebastian is HEALTHY and adorbs!!!!! And that is what matters to me. I will heal!!! Now for the fun baby pics!!! 

My work sent this beautiful blanket. SO sweet, right? Go Wildcats! 

The new family pic! Dogs have been awesome with him. 

Last week, it was 71, so we did a little stroll around the block. (The stroller doubles as a nice walker for me-- haha!). Yesterday, it snowed! Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! But look at Bella's face-- hahahah!

Smiles for daddy!!! 

Very contemplative! 

He loves this Boppy Lounger. I highly recommend it!

Buy it here.

I can't get enough of the smiles! 

Twins already! 

Tons of snuggles these days! 

No sleep but sooooooo happy! 

This cardigan has been sooooooo perfect for pumping and staying warm in these unseasonably cold days! Also, it's on major sale, and they've updated it for spring/summer, too!! 

Daddy in the hospital with Baby Bella Photography! I was getting my MRI at the time of these pics :(

But we will have more opportunities for family pictures!

One of my favorite pics!

Swaddle: here. 

Name blanket: here. 

 thanks to Auntie Courtney! It's soooo warm and soft. You can personalize it as the perfect gift, too! 

Hi, Sebbie! 

My favorite pic ever taken! His first smile!!! 

Daddy holding Seb right after he came into the world! 

Welcome home, buddy! 

Those wrinks!!! 

Blanket: here.  

Thanks to Auntie Anna. And it's monogrammed! 

Sweet, sweet Seb 

Bentley likes to get close, but not TOO close! 

We just keep looking at Sebastian and thanking God he is okay. We had a roller coaster of a pregnancy (did you catch this post?), so just having him with us is the biggest gift.  

Now, I need to get some sleep while he sleeps :)

xxoo

Mary