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though she be but little, she is fierce | maryland birth photographer

Just shy of 33 weeks, this tough little girl decided to choose her own birthday.  While the plan was for me to photograph her birth, she hardly gave enough notice for the doctor to be there to catch her – let alone to call the photographer.  Instead, I’ve had the joy of photographing her progress in the NICU until she headed home on her 2 week birthday.  Join me in welcoming Harper! Here are a couple (hundred) of my favorite images from her time in the hospital through when she went home.

Just shy of 24 hours old… You can tell what a scary time those first hours were!  Each parent got to meet her briefly before she was taken to the NICU for the best care possible.  It’s amazing to watch these moments unfold as they got to touch, then hold her for the first time.
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Mom got to give her first feeding…Maryland Newborn Photographer 6 Maryland Newborn Photography 22

 

Then it was finally time to hold her!  The wires, tubes, and IV lines are intimidating.  The emotion is overwhelming.  But, after a few minutes all the fear melts into celebration and joy….Maryland Newborn Photographer 7 Maryland Newborn Photographer 9 Maryland Newborn Photographer 10 Maryland Newborn Photography 27 Maryland Newborn Photographer 11 Maryland Newborn Photographer 12 Maryland Newborn Photographer 13

 

Dad’s turn!Maryland Newborn Photographer 14 Maryland Newborn Photography 7 Maryland Newborn Photography 9 Maryland Newborn Photography 11 Maryland Newborn Photographer 17 Maryland Newborn Photography 1 Maryland Newborn Photography 2 Maryland Newborn Photography 3 Maryland Newborn Photography 4 Maryland Newborn Photography 5 Maryland Newborn Photography 6 Maryland Newborn Photography 13 Maryland Newborn Photographer 15 Maryland Newborn Photographer 16 Maryland Newborn Photographer 18 Maryland Newborn Photographer 19 Maryland Newborn Photographer 20 Maryland Newborn Photographer 21 Maryland Newborn Photography 19 Maryland Newborn Photography 24 Maryland Newborn Photography 25 Maryland Newborn Photography 26 Maryland Newborn Photography 18One week new… this week is a little less nerve-wracking.  As baby grows stronger, she has feedings from a bottle or breast sometimes rather than only by tube, there is less concern about her temperature, her breathing is more stable, her antibiotics are all finished.  Parents can do a lot of the care without as much help or asking permission.  But the fact still remains that just to see their baby involves a long commute and so much of her care is still medical rather than just the “normal” feedings and changes.
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Here she is at 2 weeks – wire free!  Mom and dad can do the feedings and changes and the checklist is all complete to send her on her way home!

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Signing out one last time <3Maryland Newborn Photographer 19 Maryland Newborn Photographer 20 Maryland Newborn Photography 11 Maryland Newborn Photographer 21 Maryland Newborn Photographer 23Seat belt checks… and they are on their way!  Sweet baby, we are overjoyed to watch you grow!

P.S.  Luckily, we were able to finish her mama’s maternity session just a few days before her birth!  Check them out here 🙂

annapolis maternity photographer

I get to meet wonderful people at “work” – and Shannon is no exception. She radiates joy. She is kind and thoughtful. After a couple of hours, it felt more like hanging out with a friend than a session with a client. As she says, her “glass is always half full.” 🙂

Little did we know, that sweet baby would decide her birthday would be less than a week after this session- almost 2 months early. I think the day she was born, Shannon felt like her glass overflowed and it has been ever since. I’m happy to report mom and baby are doing well and you’ll be seeing a lot more of them soon!

Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills

Annapolis Maternity Photographer

Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills Baltimore Maternity Photography by Jillian Mills

The first day of Pre-K | jill’s blog

Dear Delilah,

How is it that you are already a child?  Where did your baby and toddler years go so soon?

I miss 2 year old Delilah, I miss 2 day old Delilah…. but I am so excited to know you now.  And I can’t wait to know you as you turn 5 in just another month and 15 in just another decade.

Yesterday was the first day you put on a backpack and walked into an elementary school.  You felt “a little nervous and a little shy” but already made a friend.  I’m so proud of you.

Your little sister was so upset that you left – I’m sorry that she will feel sad when you are away, but that just means you are such a wonderful, loving sister.

At almost 5, you are just 35 pounds and one of the clumsiest children I’ve ever met.  Your poor arms and legs are covered in bruises, but you get back up and try again every time.

You love movies, you love playing “tographer,” you love riding the balance bike and scooter.  You love to be read to and I know it won’t be long until you are reading to us.

Sometimes you are very sensitive, sometimes you have quite an attitude, all the time you are one of the greatest joys we can imagine.

The night before school started, you fell asleep in my arms – like most nights – and I hope to have those snuggles for many years to come.

Papa and I love you to the moon and back <3

 

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on-location nursing portraits | baltimore, md

nurse verb
: to take care of or help (someone who is sick or injured)

: to give special care or attention to (something) : to try to keep (something) from failing

: to feed (a baby or young animal) with milk from the mother’s body

…but also,

administer (to), care (for), minister (to), mother,  look after, look out for, look to, see to, take care of, wait on (also wait upon).

Nursing means so much more than breastfeeding your baby.  All mothers nurse their babies – no matter what method they use to feed them.  While we celebrate breastfeeding, we do not negate or diminish the beautiful and loving relationships of mothers who feed their babies in any form or fashion.

My favorites from one of the World Breastfeeding Week mini sessions

Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography z 8 Breastfeeding Photography | Baltimore, MD | Heartlove Photography

maryland back to school mini sessions 2014| heartlove photography

Join us for Back-To-School Mini Sessions!

This week, Zack and I sent our oldest to school for the first time, little did I know how much of an adjustment 3 hours of Pre-K would be for our whole family.  It is a joy to send her on this new adventure and a little painful to let go of her baby and toddlerhood.  Time does fly.

These sessions are great for first time (or anytime!) school-goers, unschoolers, home schoolers or just recording your child this time of year.

$99 includes your 20 minute studio session for 1 child with 5 digital images
Limited appointments available throughout September 2014.

Click here to book your session!

And meet Eli, starting Kindergarden this year!  This lucky little guy is homeschooled by his awesome mom 🙂
Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD Back To School Mini Sessions | Baltimore, MD And just for fun… a little behind-the-scenes, thanks to Eli’s mama 🙂

 

Behind the Scenes Heartlove Photography

nursing portraits | maryland world breastfeeding week

Maryland Nursing PortraitsJoin us for a sunset portrait session with your nurslings!

Babies and children of all ages are invited – whether they are 2 weeks or 2 year old.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Only 5 Appointments available from 5:30-7:30pm

$199 session fee includes 10 digital files and a canvas covered photo book of your images.

Location will be on private property near Olney, MD
(About 20 miles north of DC / 30 miles southwest of Baltimore)

Want to win a free session?  Share our post on Facebook!
Click here to see the post, hit the share button and make sure that your post is public so we can see it.  At the end of the week, we’ll choose one winner!  1 post per day per person will be considered.

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amber necklaces | inspired by finn

 

 

I was asked again about the girl’s amber necklaces, so I thought I’d take a minute and share 🙂 When you wear it, the skin’s warmth draws trace amounts of oils out of the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin – that’s the magic in these necklaces!  It helps with teething and general wellness.  I even have one!

And since we are getting ready for “tiny baby,” I’ll be ordering his here:

http://hyenacart.com/stores/inspiredbyfinn/

Check them out!  And enjoy a few throw back pictures of my littles in their amber 🙂316995_725462789971_97023896_n

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