Should I Choose Lifestyle Newborn Photos?

 A few days ago, I asked my Instagram followers which session photos they liked better, lifestyle or wrapped/posed, and the majority voted lifestyle, but there may be a few of you out there who aren't sure, so let me talk to you about that for a sec.

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How to prep for your in-home newborn session

Inviting a photographer into your home for a newborn session may be one of the best decisions you've made since packing adult diapers in your birthing bag! They bring everything to you, newborn care is mostly handled for you for 1-2 hours, and you get a show of overwhelming adorableness all from the comfort of your own couch.

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Photos with Barrett – Mom

P H O T O S   B Y   M A R I A S H A   R O W L A N D   P H O T O G R A P H Y

A friend recently asked me on Instagram what it was like to have a boy (she has all girls). I kind of laughed and then told her that it was wonderful. Your relationship with him is different than with your daughters and is just special. It's special in it's own way. I don't think I can really describe it, because every time I start writing about it, I realize that what I've written could go both ways, for daughters or sons.

But he's you're little buddy, your little boyfriend and you just love having a little man who depends wholly on you and who will grow up to become a strong, capable man, husband, and father with responsibilities. You're the number one woman in his life (right now) and you are the most beautiful woman he has ever seen... so far.

Sometimes when I think about his future and about him finding a new #1 woman, I feel a little sad, but that's what I want for him. To find a beautiful, kind woman who loves him just like I do.

It's a big responsibility, being a mom. It's your job to keep them safe, healthy, and to teach them to become independent adults who give back to their communities and to be positive influences on all those around them. But when I think about that responsibility, rather than feeling overwhelmed, I feel peace and humility, knowing that I'm not doing it alone. I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who will help me to know the right words to say and actions to take and there are so many wonderful people in his life who love him and who set such great examples for him. I am so grateful to have so many good people in our lives!

So what's it like to have a boy? Well... it's pretty great.

Thanks for sticking with me through all these amazing photos! I know that my family and I will cherish them forever and can't thank Mariasha Rowland Photography enough for capturing this singular time for us. These babies grow so fast! I'm so glad that we have cameras that can freeze time for us to go back and re-live over and over again. THANK YOU MARIASHA!

For you mamas with boys: How would you describe what it's like to have a boy?

photos with barrett - dad and details

photos with barrett - sisters

photos with barrett - mom

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Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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Photos with Barrett – Sisters

 We love our baby Bed-det (as Alexa calls him)

All the heart eyes!

P H O T O S   B Y   M A R I A S H A   R O W L A N D   P H O T O G R A P H Y 

Here are some cute-isms about my kids and their relationships with each other:

Chelsea is such a great helper! As hard as she was when Alexa was born, she is making up for it this time around! She is always getting me diapers, burp rags, pacifiers, holding Barrett, bouncing him in his bouncy chair, telling me when he's hungry. Seriously. She's the best. The only concern I have from her involving Barrett is that she is a little too confident in her abilities. Haha! I caught her lying on her back once holding Barrett up in the air above her. I'm surprised her little arms were strong enough to do it! I had to remind her that she is three years old at that point.

Alexa just loves giving Barrett hugs and kisses and impromptu snuggles. Sometimes when he's crying, she'll put her hand on his mouth (gently) and say "stop cwy-ing." Haha! She really does amaze me with the breadth of her vocabulary. She's also a great share-er. Every time Chelsea goes to her with her sweet little self (she's only ever sweet with Alexa when she wants something *insert rolling eyes emoji) and asks Alexa for a bite of whatever she's eating, Alexa shares.

Barrett loves them both, I'm sure. He smiles for me the most, but Dad gets plenty of smiles, too. He takes nice long naps during the day so we all really try to take advantage of the times he's awake! He slept so well throughout this shoot! We were picking him up, handing him to new people, turning him over, scootching him this way and that way and he hardly even flinched! Haha! I love sleepy babes, don't you?

So that's how it's goin' over here! I feel like the transition from 2-3 kids is going so much better than the transitioin from 1-2, but I hear a lot of different opinions from other moms. What do you mama's out there think? Which transition was easier for you?

P.S. Happy National Sibling Day!!!!

photos with barrett - dad and details

photos with barrett - sisters

photos with barrett - mom

___________________________________________________________________

Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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Photos with Barrett – Dad and details

Picking my favorite pictures from this shoot was seriously like picking my favorite child. Not only is it impossible, it also is something that just shouldn't be done.

Therefore, I have decided that instead of barraging you with a million photos all at once, I'll split it up! So today, you're getting photos of Barrett with Dad!

Nothing quite like the relationship between a dad and his boy.

And now for the details!

P H O T O S   B Y   M A R I A S H A   R O W L A N D   P H O T O G R A P H Y

So, ever since Barrett was born, Andrew and I have noticed how strong his little neck is! At two weeks old, he was lying on his tummy and a few moments later, I looked back over at him and he was on his back. No. Joke. I could hardly believe it, but then, he did it again the other day (April 5)! I was working on the computer and he was on his tummy on the floor next to me. I look back a minute later, and he's on his back! He's also really good at using his little legs to scoot himself around on his tummy, not intentionally, but still... Strong little guy!

He's been smiling a lot recently, too and he's got the cutest little dimple on his right cheek! I am so in love!

His eyes are looking like they'll probably be brown like his daddy's, but sometimes they look like they could be green. I just think it would be so fun if he had green eyes because then we'd have one child with brown eyes, one with blue, and one with green!

He has managed to escape the sticky-out ears from the Stange genes (so far, as Andrew always points out).

His cry is still so soft and sweet, like a pig's squeal. Haha! It really does sound like a pig squeal, though.

He's been sleeping pretty well at night, thank goodness for swaddle blankets to keep their arms from flailing out and spooking themselves (I love that little babies do that!) I probably wake up 1-3 times at night to feed him, which I don't consider bad. He's still in our room, but only until we get Alexa's bed all figured out in Chelsea's room. It's fun having him bunk in with us, but it is a little crowded.

We're blessing him on Sunday this week and I made him a cute blue corduroy vest... thaaaaaat turned out to be too small. Haha! If I feel like it, I'll make him a new one that actually fits. I made myself a floral midi skirt that I am SO excited to show you all! It turned out exactly the way I wanted it to!

Anyway, things are really great. We all love having baby Barrett in our home with us and are handling it pretty well in my opinion. I'll have to write about how the girls are doing with the little guy in another post.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep up with me via social media to be in-the-loop with the next blog post! I post my favorite pictures to Instagram - my favorite social media platform - so if you've got Instagram, click the follow button! (@suesnews_cl is my public profile, @suesnews is my private profile. If you look like a nice person, I'll probably follow you back!)

Loves!

photos with barrett - dad and details

photos with barrett - sisters

photos with barrett - mom

___________________________________________________________________

Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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Tips for your two days

Once your baby is born, the clock starts ticking on your 48 hours in the hospital. Some people are anxious to get out of the hospital and check out the moment the doctors and nurses will let them. Others of us like to take advantage of the quiet room, nursery, food prep and clean up, etc.

Having had three babies now and three stays at the hospital, I've come up with a few tips for those of you who are like me and stay at the hospital the full 48 hours. These tips will help make your time in the recovery room more organized, productive, and restful. That's right. Both productive and restful because you can only sleep so much.

Sleep

Having a baby is hard, tiring work, especially if you've had a really long labor. It's hard, tiring work for the baby, too. Take a leaf out of her book and sleep.

Nursery

I didn't want my first baby out of my sight (or Andrew's) even for a moment. I think she went to the nursery once, and not for very long. With Alexa and Barrett, I decided that I needed my sleep and I had a whole slew of very capable, trust-worthy nurses at my fingertips, just waiting for me to send them my baby for a few hours before he got hungry again.

Write

If you've had enough sleep for the moment, spend some time writing down your baby's birth story while you've got some down time and it's all still VERY fresh in your memory.

Thank you!
I'm sure there are people in your life who have recently stepped up to help you out with babysitting or gifts (perhaps from a baby shower?). Write them some thank yous!

Photo op!

If you're feeling up to it, grab your camera and snap some pics! If you have a nice camera, awesome, if not, use your phone. Either way, you're capturing moments.

Drink, relieve, repeat.

The more you drink, the better your milk will flow. The emptier your bladder, the quicker your uterus will shrink back down to size. I didn't learn that until my third baby.

Something you can Depend on

Those mesh panties are... nice... or you could buy and bring some grown-up diapers. Very convenient.

Extra Bag

When I packed my bag for the hospital, I made sure I had all the essentials for after baby. Comfortable clothes, toiletries, etc. but I also packed an extra bag for all the paperwork, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, baby bath sponges, and other stuff they send home with you. Whenever they brought me these things, I would stow them away in my extra bag.

Take everything
If they tell you that you can take it home with you, take it. Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, mesh panties, enormous pads, those blue bed liner things for just in case your pad didn't catch everything... take it all.

Keep your pen handy

I'm not kidding, they bring you SO. MUCH. PAPER WORK. The best thing is to just get that paper work filled out right after they bring it to you.

Visitors
I didn't get many visitors this time around because all of my friends were sick, but my Bishopric came, which was really fun, even though they came right after I had sent my baby to the nursery and gotten all ready for bed! So decide whether or not you want visitors, then tell your potential visitors to call or text before they come so you can be prepared and actually have the baby with you when they come by!

Snuggle. Duh.

You've been waiting nine months to meet this tiny, squishy, soft, warm little person! He won't mind the snuggles one bit, and you deserve it!

To me, those two days in the hospital with your brand new baby are so special and precious. It's almost like a honeymoon in my mind. You spend two days with this brand new little love-of-your-life, just the two of you (or three depending on how much Dad is able to be there), getting to know each other and creating a bond that will last a lifetime. You don't have to worry about making dinner, cleaning up, or even doing your hair and makeup if you don't want to. This time is for you and your baby. Take advantage of it.

Is there anything you would add to this list? Leave a comment below, and thanks for stopping by!

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Barrett's Birth Story: Part II - Stange Sisters meet baby brother

There is nothing like finally meeting the little person you've carried for nine months and holding their little warm bodies against your skin for the very first time. I looked into the face of my beautiful baby boy, absolutely beaming inside.

And then he peed on me.

Haha! I didn't care.

He looked so much like Chelsea to me, but with his own little flair! I think it was mainly the big lips.

Breastfeeding Barrett was a little tricky at first. I tried for a solid 45 minutes or so before he finally latched on. My nurse suggested later that it might have been because of the bruising he sustained on his face from such a speedy delivery. Just about the only thing bad about quick deliveries.

By the time we got into the recovery room, it was past nine, so the girls definitely wouldn't be meeting their new baby brother until the next day.

The meeting between Chelsea, Alexa, and Barrett was one of the sweetest experiences of my life. It was also a little stressful trying to keep Alexa from loving on baby brother too much, but regardless, Andrew and I couldn't stop smiling.

Chelsea wanted to hold Barrett right away and was so sweet with him. "Awwww! Look at his cute wittle toes!" "Isn't he adowable?"

Alexa wanted to kiss his head over and over again, hold him, hug him, poke him, and name all of his body parts as she poked. "NOSE!"

Barrett is so lucky to have two older sisters who love him so much!

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Thoughts on the due date: Baby 3

Ta-da! 40 weeks! Let me tell you how I'm feeling...

Remember that great list of ways to help the last little bit before your due date go by easier? Well, it works. Especially the "keeping yourself busy" part. The last two days stunk because I wasn't doing anything productive. At all. Once I started organizing my craft room and keeping busy, it got easier.

Joanna and Chip Gaines? Thank you for brightening my life every time you come on the screen. I love escaping into the hilarious life and relationship of you two at least once a week.

To schedule an induction, or not to schedule an induction? I'll think about that next week if the babe still hasn't come.

Ya know, Tuesday would be a really great day to have this baby. I could have the baby Tuesday, stay in the hospital for a couple days, and Mom could come Thursday, since she works in the temple on Wednesdays.

I wonder how big he'll be. Will he be about the same size as his sisters or will he be bigger?

Andrew made me feel really good last night when he asked "Hasn't there been a study done that babies who stay in the womb longer are usually better sleepers and less whiny?" Not sure if that's true, but you helped me feel better. I love you, Babe!

Andrew's birthday is next week on the 17th. What shall I get you... Just kidding, I already know what I want to get you. ;)

Whenever I feel a little overwhelmed at meal times trying to serve everyone, I can't help but think, "What am I going to do with three?"

I love that I feel like I've gotten to a point where I have my kids and our life figured out (on time to church every week, spend good quality time with each and they'll be good for me, stick with a routine) and now we're going to throw another little one in the mix. Awesome. Starting over again! It'll be fun.

I love when my girls play nicely together and I can hear their sweet little giggles!

I'm sure I'll miss all the crying and refereeing someday.

Let's plan the newborn shoot! Just need some greenery and maybe a cute little stuffed animal, I think, but what am I going to wear?

Has it really been nearly 5 years since I graduated from college? Time to renew that certification! It might be kind of fun to go back to school for 6 credits!

Oh how I wish Chelsea would like the clothes I buy her. I bought her the CUTEST skirt and shirt last night and she said, "Maybe I'll like it in 100 days."

I am so grateful that I have so many good and kind people in my life! I love you ALL!

Let's get going, baby! We're all excited to meet you! Until then, I'll try to be patient and subdue myself by looking at pictures of  your sisters when they were babies.

^^chelsea^^

^^alexa^^

What a blessing these little babes are! I can NOT wait to find out how this little boy fits in! See you soon little man!

Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.

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