Expecting Our Baby Girl | Maternity
Beautiful day, beautiful light, beautiful couple. What could be better? This Jacksonville couple, Nicole and Tommy, are excitedly waiting to meet their first baby, a little girl. We walked along the beach, dipped our toes in the ocean, and talked about all the wonderful things that lie ahead.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINDING OUT THAT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
Nicole: “It was really exciting and surreal! We were blessed to conceive fairly quickly. We both thought it would take so much longer! I took 4 tests over 3 days just to make sure before I told him. I made Tommy a card and wrapped up a Dad-to-be book for him to open. Once he realized what it was all about…with a wide-eyed expression he said, ‘Already?’ We were both pretty shocked for a few days as it really sunk in!”
Tommy: “Shocked, nervous and excited…it didn’t seem real at first. After the first ultrasound it really sunk in and I got more excited! I’m ready and looking forward to this next step in our lives together.”
HOW DID YOU TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY? WHAT WERE THEIR REACTIONS?
Nicole: “We told our immediate family through a sweet poem I found on Pinterest that told our parents they were going to meet their grandchild in November! Everyone was surprised and overjoyed! We’ve been married for 5 years and together almost 12 years so they’ve been waiting for a while!”
HOW HAS YOUR PREGNANCY BEEN SO FAR? WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PART AND MOST CHALLENGING PART?
Nicole: “The first trimester was the most challenging after being put on progesterone early on and the all day nausea kicking in. Once that passed it’s been great! I love feeling her kick and move around even though everything is getting more uncomfortable now at 35 weeks. I’ve continued to practice yoga and swim which has made a huge difference in how I feel!”
WHAT HAS THIS PREGNANCY BEEN LIKE FOR YOU AS DAD?
Tommy: “Incredibly easy honestly. Its been fun to experience this alongside her. Seeing her body change and thrive has been really neat! She’s been really calm and pretty much her normal self most of the time. More late night snacks though for sure!”
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINDING OUT YOU ARE HAVING A GIRL?
Nicole: “At first we were both hoping for a boy but some early predictions from my acupuncturist and old-wives tales pointed to girl! By the time we found out at the 18 week ultrasound I was already pretty convinced that it was a girl and had started to get very excited!”
Tommy: “Exciting! I’m ready for all the tea parties and cheerleading if that’s what she wants to do!”
WHAT IS YOUR BABY'S NICKNAME? HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH IT?
Nicole: “We mostly call her ‘the baby’ or ‘baby girl.’ We haven’t 100% decided on a name yet so that seems to fit for now! We joke that our dogs probably think there is a puppy inside of mommy, lol!”
WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR BIRTH?
Nicole: “We are planning an all natural water birth at the UF Health Birth Center. I’ve been very interested in medication free and low-intervention birth for a long time. I knew I didn’t want to birth in the hospital but wasn’t quite comfortable with home birth the first go around either. The Birth Center is perfect for us!”
WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT PREGNANCY/BIRTH/PARENTHOOD AS YOU APPROACH YOUR DUE DATE?
Nicole: “Pregnancy wise, I’m starting to realize why many women start trying all the natural induction tricks as soon as they are considered full term! I’m not miserable, but definitely starting to be more uncomfortable - no position is comfortable for long. I’m also looking forward to being able to move and stretch the ways that I once could before she got so big! As far a birth goes, I’m feeling ready and not scared at all. Just feeling more excited for it all to be here and to get to meet our girl! We’ve taken birth education classes and are working with a great doula who has helped us both feel prepared.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT PARENTHOOD?
Tommy: “I would say watching my own child grow and develop. I look forward to teaching her things and watching her learn about the world. I want to encourage her to try new things and help her become independent and confident like her mom.”
Congratulations, you two! This is such an exciting time in your life and I am so grateful to have been your maternity photographer.
PREGNANT AND THINKING ABOUT NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY?
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