Maximilian Francis: Pregnancy and Newborn Photos

July 19, 2013

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I met Marsha Misfud at a recent Camp Workshop Summer Supper here in Atlanta. I am so thankful that she reached out to me about pregnancy and newborn photos. I don’t think I would have made time in my crazy schedule for them otherwise. We took the pregnancy photos three days before my due date and the newborn photos one week after Max was born! I wish I would have had something like this done with our other two  before and after they were born. These are so dear to my heart now seeing them. Marsha captured those sweet details you don’t want to forget of your newborns first days.
Speaking of first days…

I have survived the first few weeks with three little ones! Hooray! Contrary to these lovely photos where I got my hair and makeup done (by Blue Bird Artistry!), I have lived in sweats with a topknot for the past few weeks, never really feeling rested, but  continuing to get up and move because I have three little people who need me. They need me to survive in a sense…. To feed them, keep them clean, steer them from danger, change diapers, ref fights, feed them again, cut their fingernails and hair, bathe them, give them endless amounts of hugs because they need those too, feed them again, read them stories, change more diapers, and rock them to sleep…and it goes on, and it makes the world go around.

Gabe is a pro at taking care of us. And I would trust him to raise my children wonderfully if something ever happened to me. However, when mama is around, my children crave my interaction with them  for their sense of stability and familiarity. They depend on me to make their little worlds feel comfortable and happy. Needless to say when I was sleeping and resting and taking care of the new baby, we had some cranky toddlers due to my absence in their daily schedules. Between my family and Gabe, there has always been someone here to help me adjust to life with three. There have been some hairy moments….like when they all decide to cry at the top of their lungs at the same time or when my toddlers decide 6 am is the new rise time…..but we made it through the toughest part with our head above water. I have to give so much credit to Gabe who continually pours himself out to his family without question. To be perfectly honest, despite the incoherent sentences  and borderline delirium at times, my heart is SO  full.

This is it. This is the trenches of the life I have freely chosen and desired. These three children are the reason I know what deep joy feels like. They are the motivation to reach a little higher, act with greater  awareness, and become the woman God had in mind when he created me…..because each moment they look to Gabe and I for their own survival and happiness, and they look to us to learn how to respond to the world around them. I hope that through the hard moments and sacrifices, we can win for them a life full of love and purpose.

I am so grateful for my family and friends who have stayed with us, made us meals, brought us diapers, and written cards. I am also so grateful for the community of friends through this little ole blog that has extended emails and messages of congrats and warm wishes on Max’s arrival. All of this combined has made me feel so overwhelmed with appreciation and humbled by the friendships and family that bless our life. So thank you!

*If you are here in Atlanta and are looking for a talented portrait photographer, you will have to check out Marsha’s work at The Savvy Studio! She was so wonderful to work with and she is so good at what she does!!

 

(Lace crochet dress can be found here // Mint Blouse – similar can be found here or here  + Mint bodystyler // Yellow dress – super old via Target // Max’s blanket (gift from Aunt Tricia!) here.

Leave a Comment

  • These photos are stunningly beautiful. Marsha did a great job, but she also had amazing models! What I love most is that you can see the love in both of your eyes… you can see that it’s a happy, radiant family. So happy for you and wishing you all the best always! *Also,* that white dress is so exquisite!!

    • Trish, that is so kind of you…thank you! She really was so fun to work with and it makes it easy when you have someone who knows a good deal about what they are doing. But yes, you kind of get sappy of your little ones right? We love him to bits.

  • Gorgeous photos Anna! Would expect nothing less from such a gorgeous mama inside and out. Thanks for sharing! xx

  • Gorgeous!! You will cherish these sweet photos. So glad to hear of the happiness and joy in your family, despite that whole no sleeping thing! xo

  • Anna! These are stunning!

  • Erin Overby

    Anna,

    He is absolutely perfect and the pictures are wonderful! You are a great mother so there is no surprise that you have made it through these past few weeks 🙂

  • Oh, how sweet! I definitely want to do this someday.

  • Oh my goodness Anna… you look so beautiful! What a beautiful family captured so perfectly! Love all the photos!

  • Friend, you are STUNNING! I can’t believe how amazing you look right after having a baby…just gorgeous. Little Max is adorable and I love the way you describe life with 3 littles. I can’t wait until we have a home full of kiddos running around, but just trying to soak up every moment of our alone time until it’s time for us. 🙂

  • Simply Beautiful!!! Your kids are so freakin gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!:)

  • Anna-
    You and your little one look absolutely beautiful! You look great, especially for just having a newborn! I had a question about the lace dress, is it short on you and how does it fit? It looks gorgeous!

    • Thank you so much Rita! The dress is actually non-maternity but at 9 mo. pregnant the dress was shorter – mid thigh length. Now it falls above the knee. Hope that helps!

      • I ordered that dress and love it, but I am stumped on what to wear under it! Did you wear a slip? It’s totally see-through!

  • You are so gorgeous! Not gorgeous for having three kids, not gorgeous for just having a baby-just plain gorgeous. Blessings to you and your growing family-praying that you have the peace of knowing He is able to do immeasurably more than we could think or ask!

    • Wow, thank you Jill!! And thank you for that reminder. Going to remind myself that when I try to do it all myself like I tend to try to do. Its a lot easier when I lean on God for support:)

  • This is such a beautiful post!! I hear ya on being in the trenches of life at this stage in our life. You are a rock star momma!

  • these are absolutely stunning! adore this dress
    kw, http://www.ladiesinnavy.com

  • These are so beautiful. Of our 4 kiddos, we did preggo pics and I adored them. Something so amazing about that time of life. Blessings on your babymoon and adjusting to life with 3 littles, sounds like it’s going just fine, and as expected! 🙂

  • Limezinnias Design

    This addition to you family is beautiful, so are these photos! I love your blog.

  • oh, Anna, these are all so beautiful!!! such a lovely family!

  • these are treasures!

    xo The Egg

  • These photographs are so beautiful! You are stunning. Congratulations on the wonderful new addition to the family!

  • SO stunning! Amazing pictures!

  • OMG beyond gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! I love love love these! And that white dress is JUST amazing!

  • These belong in somebody’s magazine. So pure and so beautiful!!

  • Gorgeous photos!

  • Truly beautiful images, Anna! Your outfits are so sweet, and Max’s face is precious.

  • Love the pictures! We have done newborn pictures with both of our girls and will do so with all of our children. It is the best! There is just something about those first few days/ weeks that go by so fast. So capture them as much as possible. And the joy on your faces is beautiful. Enjoy your children and keep sharing pictures.

  • So beautiful. Congratulations on your new sweet bundle of joy.

  • Anna, such gorgeous photos. That first one with the white dress is stunning, and the one where you are wearing a mint top is beautiful! All are beautiful!

  • Christine

    These are the most gorgeous photos I have ever seen of you. You always look gorgeous, but wow. I had to show them to Thomas but I couldn’t believe how beautiful you were 9 months pregnant and then again after having the baby! I just love this idea of have photos taken during this special time…I may follow in your footsteps!

  • Anna,

    these photos are stunning! wow! you have a beautiful baby and a nice look hubby! Hope that you are getting some rest!

  • Wonderful pictures and wise words. My girl turns 1 tomorrow and I can still clearly remember those first couple of months and I had only 1 other toddler… 😉

  • Beautiful, simply beautiful. The photos, your words, I can only imagine the joy/chaos you are going through right now. Sending you and your family lots of love! The photos are amazing, I can’t tell you how much I treasure our newborn photos, those moments are just so fleeting!

  • You look absolutely stunning and I can tell in your face that your heart is full.
    This was a beautiful post. You really are a wonderful writer

  • LOVE these photos– and the styling! They are absolutely breathtaking. You guys are just glowing!

  • I just found your blog and wanted to leave a comment. I have to say, first, you are BEAUTIFUL and your family is amazing. Congrats and God bless your new Max!!
    I really am commenting on your honesty and to thank you for being real. So many blogs JUST show the perfect and never share the truth. You even share that your makeup was done! You are doing a GREAT service to those out there who are just lurking and thinking “how does she do it all”. You actually share that your little ones are adjusting (not JUST madly in love with their new sibling). My oldest is 17 and I wish there was such a truthful and real blog out there for me to read when I was a new mom. Thank you and hang in there juggling it all!!
    Roselle

    • Roselle, did I ever respond to this? Because I sure meant to! I am so thankful for your kind words and encouragement. I hope that by being honest women I can be a support for other moms who feel alone in this adventure. I have been there and sometimes all you need is to hear someone else understands and is going through it too. Anyways, thank you so much!

  • wow, these are THE most gorgeous photos! I am so happy for you and your family and cannot wait to see pics of little Max as he grows :).

  • You’re pictures are adorable and I was wondering… did you really happen to order from SheInside? I’ve only seen images of the clothes online and was wondering if it was a legit website. Would love to know your thoughts.

  • Oh Anna, congratulations!!! You look so beautiful, and so does baby. 🙂 So happy for you!

  • danielle

    Where is this dress from?

  • […] When I was 9 months pregnant with Max, and his first week of […]

  • […] When I was 9 months pregnant with Max, and his first week of […]

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