Well, Hello there.
During Nella’s morning pilates session (seriously, how delicious are newborn legs, stretched all stiff-like and toes curled? …and how do they hold them up for so long?), I became completely overwhelmed with just how much I love newborn.
Both Brett and I, during each pregnancy, would sit and talk about what we looked forward to in those first few weeks. And, amid sweet breath and tiny milk-stained lips, pursed little birdy mouths and the first blink-blinks of baby eyes taking in the bright light of their new world in the delivery room (that’s Brett’s favorite and I still remember him, three weeks ago, while I was crying and completely distraught, comforting me with his recognition of the ‘blink-blinks’ we looked forward to)…anyhoo, we always agree on one favorite newborn trait: froggy legs.
I can’t get enough. And I’m just left in this beautiful state of awe looking at those perfect, frail little legs curled up…that they are one of the few leftovers of in-utero behaviors and that just a few short weeks ago, they were curled up just like that inside me. Inside me. In my body where her perfect little self called home for so long.
This brand-new stage of newborn is so fleeting, I find myself holding her envisioning sand in an hourglass…just trickling out of my hands, and I can’t hold on to it tight enough.
Big, big yawn!
And, as she’s slowly slipping from newborn to baby, I am soaking up every bit of it, chanting “stay little, stay little, stay little” all the while.
She’s just delicious.
As is her big sister who lives up every day to the meaning of her name. She is complete sunshine despite the fact that “no way” and “go away” have become frequently used phrases in her vocabulary.
There is this ever-present cloud of guilt for her lately, and I’m realizing it is most likely everything to do with a second sibling and nothing to do with a second sibling with an extra chromosome. She’s just so incredibly lovely and her world has been a bit rocked these past few weeks, and it’s all I can do not to give her a popsicle every time she asks or let her paint the walls with the lipgloss wand because it’s fun and she wants to.
I want to take her to the park. I want to rent a funhouse for the back yard. I want to buy a pony and let her ride it every second of every day. I want to stop what I’m doing at any given moment and bake cookies with her or turn pipecleaners and pom-poms into some fabulous toddler craft. But, I guess I also want to run naked through a field of daisies just to say I did, but that’s not going to happen either.
That whole balance thing just gets more challenging as life moves on, but I know it evens out eventually. There are days when we bake three batches of cupcakes and follow it with widdling sticks from the woods into a homemade dollhouse furnished with origami furniture we dyed with fruit juice. And then there are some where I feel like Mary Poppins if I just spare five minutes to fling a tuna can across the tile in Lainey’s made-up version of floor hockey. And I guess the same holds true with our marriage in that there are days where I’m obsessively sending “you’re the best husband in the world” texts and spending hours in the kitchen knifing strawberries into hearts and drizzling chocolate into the words “I love you” over angel food cake just to make him feel special when he comes home (okay…I don’t really do that) contrasted with the more-frequent-than-I’d-like manic crazed days when I’m so busy, I don’t notice until an hour after he comes home that he’s even here. Damn that Balance. So it is…one of my life’s goals over time is to merge these polar opposites into a more consistent balanced middle-ground. Like maybe we’ll just buy the furniture next time for the widdled-stick dollhouse. Or accept the fact that being a very good mom just might be as simple as spending an afternoon drawing bodies with sidewalk chalk in the driveway.
And, for the record, I drew the body. She drew the boobs.
And this is a totally random tangent, but you know how when you get a new car, you start seeing it everywhere? Well, I swear every song I hear on the radio is about falling in love with a baby you weren’t expecting. Until I was singing with Kanye West’s Knock Me Down the other day…and I’m singin‘ and singin‘ thinking again how…holy wow, even Kanye writes songs about loving babies, and then, without even realizing…I sing along with the following part…
And I quote: I think I’m gunna kick it with my girl today….(and then, my favorite)…”My pimp-ship’s flyin‘ high.”
I don’t know what a pimp-ship is, but I’m quite certain it has nothing to do with loving your kids.
However, I will be kickin‘ it with my girls today…and loving every minute of it.
And, I almost forgot…
Some of the things you shared that you are loving (from your comments on the last post):
* American Pie by John Mclean
* The new inspiration I’ve found lately, and plan to use it to inspire others
* The smell of old photographs and the warm feeling I get while looking at them- It’s incredible to see how my Grandmom held my Mother’s hand and I especially love the one of my Grandfather holding my Father and staring into his eyes at 4 weeks old
* My hometown of Vancouver, BC, and watching “home” on tv daily because of the Olympics. I am so proud to be a British Columbian, and I don’t know a more beautiful place on earth than BC.
* Our 6th daffodil that just opened up in the back yard
* 30 Rock: Sometimes you have to laugh until you pee. just a little.
* Those human interest stories of Olympic athletes – they get me every time! The only trouble is that then it is hard to pick who you want to win the gold – it’s like “well I want so-and-so to win because her mom has cancer, but I want other-so-and-so to win because she recovered from a horrific accident, etc. etc.” But those stories make the Olympics the cool thing that they are, to me anyways!
Thank you! Had so much fun reading them! There’s so much to love…
…like Nella’s little comic book drop-kick. Take that, Batman.
…and taking down my old header? That was hard. That was very hard, but we are moving on.
~k
(If you’re in the Naples area, we are back to work…mini shoot coming up. Info HERE)
Wonderful post, glad to see your spirits are up. And the last picture, by far my favorite! Made me laugh!
LOL! Love her little wrinkled tootsies!!
Pimped Ship!? Hmmmm..I have my ideas 🙂
I think we should all paint the walls with lip gloss from time to time! What a novel idea! We can learn so much from kids (c:
And I love your thoughts on balance. Glad to know we aren’t the only ones who struggle with it. Thanks again for sharing another beautiful post!
“widdling sticks from the woods into a homemade dollhouse furnished with origami furniture we dyed with fruit juice” – seriously dying laughing here.
love the chalk boobs.
i’ve discovered that with 2 guilt just comes with the package. oh and the kids – they KNOW how to work it! 2 yr olds are smart little buggers. they know when to ask for a popsicle or chocolate they found in the junk drawer – when mama is at her guiltiest. when baby is crying and mama just had to say no to something – yep, thats when they strike!
I love the boobs on the chalk drawing. She’s my kinda girl. 🙂
And if you believe that a stranger from the internet loves your little Nella too, then believe that I do.
You’re a really cool mom.
I’m eating up the pictures of your beautiful girls. I just want to squeeze them. And you my dear, you really do know how to get every single drop out of life. We should all take lessons. Where do I sign up? :0)
New reader here – your girls are gorgeous! I’ve really enjoyed looking at the pictures you’ve put up in your last few posts. Your entries are so inspirational. What a beautiful family!!
Hi Kelle,
Just woke up, switched on my laptop, and came straight to your place…
What a lovely way to start the day!
Gorgeous, fun, photos. Just love your new banner, too.
How did you find the name Lainey, Kelle? And, what does Lainey mean?
Better head off to my morning pilates (i.e. get out of bed).
Have a great day!
Linda in New Zealand.
I think the guilt is something every mom of more than one child encounters but you just have to let that go and know your a great mom.
You gave your daughters the best gift anyone could ever ask for: a sister, a playmate, a partner in crime, a confidant. Well, the latter two will come later;)
Oh, and if your oldest is anything like my oldest she’ll know how to use the mommy guilt to her advantage (and lay it on thick especially at a bad time!)_
Random Ds facts: Check the bottom of your own foot and it won’t have that adorable lil crease straight down from the big toe.
A mom posted something about it a while back so I had to run home and check my Riley’s feet and sure enough that cute little crease is on his foot but not the rest of the fam.
After Riley was born another mom shared how she felt we all belonged to a special club……so Welcome to the club 🙂
Hi Kelle,
I wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I have been reading your blog for a while but haven’t commented. Your post about Nella being born made me cry. I understood your worries and fears but I just wanted to say that you are so lucky to have Little Lainey and Nella. I have been trying to have a baby for over a year and found out I can’t by myself. I start medication for my first IVF tomorrow. I’m praying that it works. I want to experience being a mommy so badly I can taste it but just can’t grasp it. Your blog and your spirit are constant reminders of what I want and why I won’t quit. Big hugs to you and your girls. Oh, and I would take inbalance any day with two beautiful children over my easily balanced days without! Hang in there!
can’t get enough of your writing… I always find so much hot-mama inspiration in your words. your photos are amazing and I secretly envy Lainey’s wardrobe. 🙂
when can we buy your book? because all of this should be captured in print forever.
you had me at pimp-ship! for real, pimp-ship? you had me cracking up … hard! thank you for that!
and balance, it’s one of the things that we as moms try to do each and every day. and just like everything else, some days are better than others … but we keep on tryin’!
oh, and a little secret for you …
i think heidi is gonna be making some delicious scones some time very soon (sshhh…)
xoxo
and two more things …
having a comment in the top 10 kinda feels like winning the lottery
-and-
the new piggie header, cute, very cute!
I discovered your blog today….it was inspirational to browse around and enjoy your wonderful photography. Thank you for sharing your journey….. you blessed me today.
Sophie
Hi Kelle!
Life is all about balance isn’t it? I think as we have children that is something we as mommies have to learn very quickly and especially when they have different needs at different times. I feel like my life is all about BALANCE all the time and I’m constantly struggling with it. How do I let my two non-affected children have the best life possible and not hold them back while still protecting my oldest son from illness that seems to be everywhere right now? But, it sounds like you will do just fine! I had to say too that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the newborn stage. I would have 3 or 4 more babies if my hubby would let me! 🙂 And I agree, the little bowed legs are definitely one of the cutest things ever!!!
I found your blog through facebook. A photographer friend posted Nella’s birth story, and in turn I “shared” it and in turn several of my friend’s did the same. And now you have a new faithful reader.
I had no idea you were a Vancouver girl – as I am myself 🙂 and I too revel in the wonder of seeing my city celebrated by the world, even though I am not there myself.
I am also the mother of a special needs child by choice (adoption) and happenstance.
I have learned more about myself – my strengths and my weaknesses – than any of my “typical” kids have ever taught me. And now I start again by staring into the eyes of my newest baby girl and I know our future. She was damaged before she was born by the choices of her first mother, and I will make sure (as I have done for my now teenage son) that THIS mother will never fail her.
Hugs to you. I love that you have shared your heart.
I found your blog a few weeks ago because of your birth story. I can not get enough of you and your beautiful pictures. i am a photographer (learning) as well. I also have toddler and I just wanted to say – EVERYTIME I see Lainey she is wearing an exact outfit my daughter has! we must have extremely similar tastes when it comes to toddler fashion.
I am with you! I just love babies feet! There is just something about them that you hold in your heart! I love all the pictures, however, I especially love the picture of Lainey and Nella laying on the ground. How priceless.
April (Elissa’s cousin)
Froggy legs, crooked pinkies, and that wise old owl look the Love Magnet used to give to me. I see Nella has the same look. 🙂
Kelle,
I’ve been blog stalking…but only for about a week now. I found you through a friend, who found you through a friend, and so on…
The first night I started reading…I couldn’t stop. I love your love for life. Towards your husband, your girls, and everything else. You’re truly infectious. And you inspire me to keep striving to be a better person. Thank you for that.
T
Kelle she is perfect in every way! I would love to kidnap her!! 😉
Where did you learn photography? Did you ever take classes? I wish I was that talented, that gifted. How do you make their skin look so smooth and the eyes so clear? Do you do that in Lightroom to or doy ou use Photoshop for that? You really need to do a tutorial on one od Laineys pics. I really wish I knew how to make the pics look so soft.
Sending my love from Germany!!
Jessi
Love your blog, love your story. You are an amazing woman and mother. You have two beautiful children that are blessed to be loved by you! As a mom of two daughters myself, you inspire me to do and be the best I can be. Thank-you!
I am in that happy spot now where the new baby is almost a year old and we have found our new reality. The balance question never goes away, but you’re right, it has to do with a sibling, not an extra chromosome. I think it takes six or eight months for everyone to get used to the new reality–siblings, parents, and the baby too.
FInding balance in life is a journey I don’t think you ever fully reach the end of. Because life always ebbs and flows, the current changing course mid-stream. Just when you’ve found balance, the precarious weight shifts. But that’s what makes life, LIFE. Keep pressing on in your journey, one day you’ll look back and realize you have more balance than you remember.
Starting following your blog after Nella’s birth post. I am loving it! You have such a way with words…and love your photography too.
I absolutely LOVE frog legs too. Those newborn moments go by way. too. fast.
Oh, and I loved your picture of Nella with the puckered lip from the bath. Absolutely precious…
Kelle, you are amazing… I come to your blog everyday. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. I sit here with my 20 month old daughter everyday after her nap and read your words to her. You inspire me to be a better mom, friend, and wife. You make me laugh constantly and you make me cry, but I can’t get enough.
Lainey and Nella are so so beautiful and truely you are blessed. Thank you for sharing your life, it’s BEAUTIFUL.
I adore the new header. 🙂
As well as all those little feet pictures!
do you realize how your writing draws me to your blog on a daily basis? i literally sit & wait, with baited breath, for an update.
love love love.
maybe i should tell me husband…
perhaps not.
presh presh presh!
every time i read a new post, i get chills. i can’t tell you enough how much i love your story. it truly inspires me
i am a new and obsessive (not in a scary way, more like a kindred mom spirit sort of way) reader of your blog. initially drawn in by the beautiful story of nella’s birth. i also have two kids. i cried the last month of my second pregnancy because i was so sad about losing my one on one time with nolan. but once emma arrived, it was like she had been there all along. things were complete. you are in the sweetest days of your life…and i can tell you know it 🙂 it makes me long for the old days (nolan is 18 and emma is now 15). i am sharing a clipping my 83 yr old mom has held onto for years. it is yellow and curled and stuck to her bathroom mirror. a daily reminder.
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.”
All the best,
Sadie
Precious! You must want to frame every single picture you take.
Mm… I’m always raving about cute froggy legs! I can’t get enough; I forget how long they last, but I’m gonna take ’em while I can. Other favorites: gummy grins that melt my heart, tiny tootsies too small for socks to stay on, the vulnerable back of baby’s head that just needs to be smoothed and the neck beneath the begs to be smothered in kisses… 🙂
I’ve found it very hard to adjust to being mommy of two kids. I often plan elaborate crafts for my toddler, who then spends a mere matter of minutes on it. And having the energy to wear all my “hats” (mommy, wife, friend, sister, daughter…) and wear them well is almost impossible. Most days are a success if we are clothed and fed! And even then, we may just stay in our pjs.
What brands do you dress your girls in? I love their outfits; please tell me they’re affordable!
I am so enamored by your blog. You have such a gift with your words and photos. Lainey and Nella are just beautiful girls . . . you are too! I love all the little outfits, hats, socks, leggings you have for the girls. Where in the world do you get all that great stuff?
My husband & I have always loved the frog legs & old men faces too! We love the beautiful baby feet 🙂
You continue to inspire & amaze me, thank you.
Your girls are beautiful & you are a wonderful mother. Enjoy every moment with them!
As for the clothes questions…We get a LOT of our clothes from a consignment shop here in Naples called “Once Upon a Child”…it’s incredible. But now that I shared that, there will be nothing left for us…ha. And then lots from Baby Gap because our adopted “Nana” works there and tells us when we need to be there at opening when everything’s marked down ultra clearanced. And we love Carters baby stuff and Target too. And we have a grandma who sews…and I once threw a Matilda Jane trunk show and sold so much, we got a ton of stuff for free or marked down. Hope that answers your questions! We know a lot of good gift-givers too and lots of our stuff has been generously gifted! Just a giant hodge-podge closet.
I’m sure you have seen this..but a friend brought it to me after I posted your story on FB. She was touched and remembered this from long ago!~Deb Llewellyn
Welcome to Holland – Emily Pearl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this . . .
When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, Michelangelo’s David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.” “Holland?” you say, “What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.” But there’s been a change in flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland, and there you must stay.
The most important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It’s just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for awhile and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, Holland has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.”
The pain of that will never, ever go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.
Three things.
One of my favorite posts, as I am SO into baby toes and got a good dose on this one!!!!! 🙂
Second, I know about the guilt thing. See when Noah was born my first thought was “he will feel neglected”. I figured that since he has 3 typical sisters, they would somehow still get all the attention and he’d be the one struggling for affection. NOT SO. I have to remind myself on a daily basis that HE is not my only child, that I have 3 daughers who need praise, encouragement and my attention as well. Noah usually gets it all, even from strangers. Example: When he turned 2 and started walking for the first time I called everyone I knew. I emailed 300 people. When his baby sister, Halle, took off at 10 months with walking I took it for granted, was like “oh Halle you are walking”, then realized WOW she is walking at 10 months. So on a daily babsis I have to remind myself that they are special too because I think THEY feel left behind sometimes.
And third, I made my son a CD of all the songs that I have heard 3000 times, but never really HEARD them until he was born and now every one of them are completely about him. I’ll send you a copy if you like. email me pinklilbabytoes@aol.com
Why is it that everything you post makes me tear up? You have this ability to express every mom’s feelings. Learning the balance isn’t easy but we all get there .. eventually. And we do feel guilty when we really shouldn’t.
Your posts make me feel like I’m not so alone being a mom trying to love my husband and 2 children with all I am.
I try to remind myself though, that to my babies, I am their entire WORLD right now BUT they don’t have the same standards on me that I have on myself. They just love me, and I love them back, the best I can.
Thank you Kelle.
You’re so lovely, your writing is so lovely and your girls are precious. They are so blessed to have you for their mama. Nella is one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever laid eyes on. What a special gift she is. ♥
great. matt’s gonna read this and i’m almost positive will be using the term “pimp-ship” in the next 24 hours…got sweetie pie’s announcement today…LOVE LOVE IT.
I am in love,
with the images,
the words,
with your perspective,
with THOSE chairs,
I need them, I really, really do!
Are there more?
In love with the inspiration.
Thank-you,
Lisa
The yawn picture makes me want to jump in there and grab her up! OH how I love the newborn stage too..the falling asleep on your chest…there is no other feeling like it.
Your Kanye quote made me laugh. Now I have to go listen to that song.
I love your blog. So much that I feel like I want to ditch mine and just live in yours! Your amazing! Love you!
LOVE the new Banner 🙂
Still laughing at the boobs!! Reminds me of a day years ago when i worked as teacher in a young toddler room, and one of my kids grabbed one of mine, squeezed, and announced, “Baby eat, baby eat!” She was a new proud big sister at the time. Too funny, them toddlers are. Lovely, lovely post…and them piggies and froggy legs everywhere are to die for!
Happy Tuesday!
This comment has been removed by the author.
okay…revisiting…
this song has been one of my favorites for a few years…as the mother of a daughter. here is a link to the video for rosie thomas’ “pretty dresses”. have a kleenex handy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XMxwyBBywc
Since finding your blog (Amen!) a couple of weeks ago, I have had the utmost pleasure of going back to older posts & absorbing each & every one, savoring every picture, & completely falling in love with your family. I feel like I’ve seen Lainey grow before my eyes (& I’m only up to October 2008!) & I can’t wait to watch Nella grow before our eyes as well. What a big, bright, gorgeous life she will have! I’ve found my heartstrings pulled on so, so many occassions as I’ve looked at older entries & I think of my own daughter…almost 11 months. I’ve relived many of her first moments that I’ve seen in posts about Lainey & I relish in what I have to look forward to. As always, thank you for sharing your world.
I love the new header.
I am LOVING your new header! I noticed it right away.
🙂 I can feel the sun shining today in IL, and as it seems, to be there too! Hope the rest of your week is as bright!!
Balance…how funny that you posted about this today as I am planning my oldest daughters’ first communion. And I get my panties in a bunch because there are too many ideas in my head and my other little ones are needing me and the house is a mess…again! And my battle with the dust will NEVER end….and I am getting sick which really pisses me off. So by 1pm I had my coffee&kelle as I call reading your blog and decided that I have done enough for today. So the house can stay messy and the pile of laundry will have to ferment for another day. Xo to you and the babies! and thanks for my dose of coffee&kelle. 🙂
You’re family is so gorgeous. Thank you for sharing them with us! I loved your valentine’s day post so much that I kind of “borrowed” the idea. I hope you don’t mind!
I also looked up your photography website, hoping I could request your services but alas, we could not be farther away from each other! Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I really admire your work, your outlook and your beautiful attitude towards life. Thank you for sharing!
Kait at esperanzasays.wordpress.com
Kelle, you never cease to amaze me. You are such a wonderful mommy, and I strive to be more like you.
BTW-I love your new header!! 🙂
I know exactly how you feel; I plead with Nellie to just “stay little a bit longer” all the time. It boggles my mind that my little girl will be 4 weeks old tomorrow.
I love that you call them “froggy legs”, because I talk to Nellie about her “froggy legs” all the time… Except now they’re slowly becoming less and less froggy. Sigh.
Very nice post.. And I believe a “pimp ship” is kind of like a pirate ship, but instead of pirates.. There’s pimps. Kinda gives the term “yo ho ho” a new meaning, doesn’t it?
Oh my! How big nella has gotten is amazing! I love her wrinkled tiny feet! Tuna( W. Bertuna) Told me today about laineys choice of words after watching the hangover so many times! How cute, my little brother has his own unique word choice(not very good at the age of five) Im thinking about starting a blog to show some pictures that i have taken… dont know if i will though. Should I? OH! I just remembered a conversation me and my mom had in the car the other day, (since im in 8th grade ive got to start figuring out my major so i can study that during my high school years) And i said i have a deep passion for photography, and my mom said that i should be a teacher for kids with special needs (because i have had such a caring heart and deep intrest in kids like that— as said by my mom!), after that comment your name suddenly popped into my head! Later that night i realized when im “older” im going to be a special needs teacher part-time photographer since i have a passion for both. So thank you for that kelle you are the person who is shaping me into the woman i will be later on! Not enough words in the whole world will descrbe how much that means to me! Ive got to start practicing being around kids with special needs sooo if you ever need anything,(like a mommas helper) call or text me at (239) 595- 8166! Please reply! Send my love…
I’ve been so busy these last few days and finally got a minute to sit down at the computer. First stop? Your blog of course! I love everything about you and your cute family. I just wish you lived next door so we could do sidewalk chalk together. And maybe next door should be in your neighborhood cuz I love the sand, beach and sun more than the mountains and snow.
I was a little sad to see your old header gone but the new one is so beautiful and shows where you are today.
P.S. Baby Nella is so beautiful!!! I love all the amazing pictures of her with Lainey.
I am almost 5 months pregnant with my second child and just came across your blog a few days ago. I have to say that your story is so inspiring and as much as I have cried crocodile tears (darn those pregnancy hormones!) I have also smiled so much reading your story and looking forward to my own special gift. Because a child no matter how different or unique is an amazing gift from God. I look forward to reading more of your story and watching it unfold. And getting my newborn baby fix in until my own arrives 😉
LOVE the new header!! I know it was hard to take down the other…but there is much life to celebrate. Just keep putting one step in front of the other and you will find the natural balance in your home. It will come…just keep loving your littles…it will come.
love you! love your inspiring words!
Your new header is beautiful though!!! Just think that you’ve closed that former chapter of your life and now you’re able to open up a new one…with so much more love! 🙂
Once again, I loved reading a little bit into your day! Life is so much about loving what you are given and letting go of what you expected! Nella has inspired more people and has brought about love in many places that I’m sure even you had no idea would be there. But God always brings us wonders in places we never knew to look. And that is beautiful! She and Lainey are two very gorgeous girls! And I feel so blessed to read about them and their adventure with you! Thank you for allowing us to ride along with you. Complete strangers, all touched by one tiny miracle!
I just wanted to say I’ve just found you (your blog – via Flickr) and you are a total inspiration to all Mums’. You have made me laugh and cry, with your openness and candidness and I thank you so much for that. Your girls are beautiful, and I look forward to my daily read… So thanks again for shearing your life with us.
Kim in New Zealand
LOVE the new header, as I am a baby feet junkie too. Can’t get enough of them.
Finding balance with 2 kids is difficult in the beginning. You level out and really find your bearings after about 2-3 months, and after about 6 months you’re in a good groove.
The guilt is normal, too. The night before my second child was born (scheduled c-section), I lay in bed with my firstborn and just cried, feeling like I was walking to the gallows, suffocating from guilt. 2 years later, it turns out everybody was right, a sibling was the best thing for my firstborn.
On another tangent, I always say I’m glad my first child is developmentally delayed, because it prolonged the sweet parts of his babyhood. 🙂
And magic eraser takes lipgloss off walls, so let her go nuts, I say.
I loved reading what you had to say about finding balance. It’s like you were in my head! I struggle with this daily (and I’ve only got one munchkin!) and it’s really refreshing (such a silly word, refreshing!) to read that I’m not the only one out there struggling with that.
I just love your blog. I click on you every day, just to see your beautiful girls and read your honest (and funny!) words. Keep your head up. You are an amazing woman and you are moving hearts in more ways than you can know!
Love you, Love your blog, and the fact that sweet Nella has breathed life and inspiration into my life in more ways than I could mention here. Her birth story has moved me and all kinds of people all over the world. I bet there are 500 people reading your words. Did you ever think?! Thank you for your constant reminder of how divine and decadent motherhood is, even if it looks like crazy hair and sweatpants on some days.
Although we haven’t met, I want to say, I’m so glad to know your friendship through your words.
Bestest bests,
Chrissy
thank you for sharing a beautiful birth story – so raw, and honest, and heart-wrenching, oh, just made me fall in love with that precious baby girl you have. you ARE chosen. the downs children i know are the sweetest, most loving, most joyful, and blessings to everyone they know. i so enjoy looking through the lovely pictures you post. this blog most definitely made my day a bit brighter. i really can’t tell you how much your story touched my heart, and so many people i know who have also read it.
Great blog…and super fabulous pictures….Your blog is my dream blog….so glad that I found you….
LOVE the new header, love baby ‘frog legs’…love the pics of Lainey Love…so cute, getting so ‘big’…and I can tell she’s diggin’ being a big sis…love the drop-kick pic at the end..POW! OH, I just wanna kiss those footsies!
YOU are ROCKIN’ it out…look at YOU…a mother of TWO beauties…LIVING life; taking it one day at a time, LOVING your girls…and taking time to ENJOY & SOAK UP the Small Things!!!
XOXOXOXOXO!
Oh BTW, umm..the photo shoot…that would be a BIG, FAT YESSSSSS! Sign us up!!!!
Maybe my favorite post ever…? I think yes. Funny, witty, a good read, great photos. Love you and yours. And the new header…I was waiting for that one. I knew it would be hard. Nice work.
Love that Lainey drew boobs. She is so loved and has the widdled doll house furniture to prove it! ha!
Also, yes, newborn is fabulous. But baby? Smiles, coos, stuck out tongues, wobbly strength? That’s good stuff.
For the record, I adore the new header. Bare baby piggie toes have to be one of the cutest things in the world!
Moderation and balance in everything really are the keys. You’ll get there.
Y’know, I’ve been pondering on this: In Lainey’s experience, Nella is just Nella. Lainey doesn’t know that there’s anything different about Nella; she’s just. . . Nella. The new baby sister. It’ll probably be years before Lainey discovers that Nella isn’t quite like other baby sisters. I think that’s the best way for Lainey to discover this, too. At the moment, there is no difference between Nella and any other newborn baby. She is Lainey’s baby sister and always will be. And that’s the most important thing for Nella to be.
Well, what a treat when I logged on today! Thanks for taking the time to update us so regularly- I am sure it must be hard for you to find the time these days with all that you have on your plate. I can’t believe you manage to do it all! Any juggling tips for us???
I mean I have a toddler and a baby too but I have a husband who comes home in the evening and you are on your own for a lot of time. Kudos to you! I imagine there would be a lot of popsicle giving and lip glossing of walls if that were the case at my house too. I say do whatever gets you through the day.
Love the new header, and as someone else said, it is indeed the start of a new chapter, a very, very good and exciting chapter indeed.
And if you ever in the Australia area, we would love a photo shoot from you too! 😉
Allison
I feel the same way about the newborn period. It is my absolute favorite time/thing/feeling/experience, and I have been blessed to go through it 8 times now. I hear so many girls say they hate that “whole newborn thing”, and am amazed. I feel so bad for them that they don’t experience it the way I do. It is complete state of bliss for me. Enjoy yours, your baby is completely delicious. I am jealous, mine is almost 9 months old, however he is still completely delicious in a whole new way!
Loving catching up with your blog each day (or so), loving watching nella grow, those eyes are so knowing, loving watching lainey have so much fun, loving watching you grow. My beautiful sweet dear son is now 3 and one of my fondest memories is him frog swimming in the bath, thanks for reminding me of my little frog. Jodie xxx
My gosh your babies are gorgeous!
may I make a small comment? i am new to your blog – read your baby story for my first read – touched me immensely – i am a mother of four. regarding balance: dont think about it too much. it will come. be a parent first. your children will love each other and be there for each other more than you ever will or maybe can. brothers and esp sisters are an amazing bond, and when i am out of time and am exhausted and in bed, and i am guiltily reflecting on the time i didnt spend with my children, i am so so thankful they have each other. i reflect on their moments of fun and play and tenderness and even squabbling, for it makes their memories lasting. i am so thankful for the exact personalities and make-ups and sex of our children. God knows what He is doing, but if He would tell us, we would not always grasp it, so we just enjoy the “small things” along the way. your journey is so ispiring. God bless you and know that a stranger in PA is thinking of you and your special family.
New reader here via We are THAT family. Your little Nella has the cutest mouth. Love your stories and photos.
Kelle – I hope you ARE going to write a book and publish it – you’ve got a TON (thousands & thousands!) of readers here! And, of course, you’ll have to put in some of your beautiful photos!
Thanks for sharing so deeply and honestly from your heart – I’m not a mom, and never will be, unfortunately, but I love reading of the true joy you find in each and every day with your girls, and being the best mom you can be – and I, along with a thousand others, think you are quite AMAZING! Boy, did your girls win the “Mommy Lottery!” 😉
Hahahaha pimp ship, hahaha, no idea what that means! Maybe something to do with chalk boobs? Haha, just kidding 🙂
I feel famous to be part of your post!
Oh and the picture of Lainey and Nella on the picnic blanket is so sweet, I love it! 🙂
happy belated valentine’s….loved your red and pink post full of lovey-dovey things and the sweet hampton girls. can’t get enough of nella’s precious newborn pictures…it goes by too fast. i am always saying to samantha…don’t grow up so fast and wishing that could be true. we traced our bodies in the driveway two weekends ago and were covered in chalk. so fun. here is my list of 3 things i’m loving…better late than never right?
1. notes from the day of all the little things samantha did while i was at work….
2. movie date night to see Valentine’s Day…funny and sweet
3. turning samantha’s changing table into a dresser..one of those bittersweet growing up moments
goodnight kel….xo
The new header looks pretty and appropriate to the blog’s title. I love looking at newborn’s feet too. I don’t ever get tired staring at them.
Lots of love,
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary@Owlhaven linked your birthstory sometime last week and since then I went all the way back to December 2007 and your first post working my way right back to now.
Your stories are amazing. Your photographs are sublime.
There’s just always such pure love filling my screen.
You’re going to rock this because you already have.
I’m in awe of the amazing amount of support you have.
You’re a very blessed lady.
And I just wondered if you know what colour Nella is yet?
OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!! Baby piggies! The most delicious thing on earth. Nella looks just like a sleeping little angel. How blessed you are! Thanks again for sharing your littles!
~Cassie
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog… your way with words, your beautiful girls (and I’m not just saying that), and your kick butt photography skills. I would love to learn how you got involved and learned how to be such a fabulous photographer. I’m trying to learn more and find so much inspiration from your photos. I wish you lived closer to ny because I can totally see us being friends and having our kids play together. Thank you for being such a inspiration to me!
Didn’t read all of the other comments, so hopefully this isn’t a double. I got this link from the National Down Syndrome Congress today to their “We’re More Alike Than Different” documentary video on YouTube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKUkj7Pmk_0. If you haven’t looked them up yet you should. We went to their national convention 2 years ago. It was amazing, and seeing all the little ones with Down syndrome is so cute. My “baby” will be 20 next month.
Reading your posts brings back so much from when Danielle was born. She was my second daughter also and I felt so much the way do. And it was amazing that all of a sudden people with who have family members with Down syndrome were just coming out of the walls.
Keeping you, Lainey and Nella in my thoughts are prayers. You are all doing great (even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes)!
Kelle you made me laugh big time with this post!! I found it funny b/c kids all around listen to that stuff.(excuse me; teens) the kanye west and the rap and you hear all those WACK-O phrases that make you think….how much time is on their hands!?!? or what do they call like a banana; the little things. Heck! Kanye probably goes around his house wanting some potassium looking for the “Yellow-B-Rod”, aka banana! hah see Kelle! your post wore off! Im all *silly now? hahaha. But as I looked at this post I literally said out loud, they are beautiful! like oh my goodness! the yawning picture, the off centered chalk boobs, everything! in one of the pics you can see Lainey in Nella! oh how i fall in love with your family and words more and more each day!!! Love always!
oh my gosh, everytime I read your blog, I disolved into a puddle of tears…. not because I feel sorry for you, but because I see how strong you are. My mom had a son with DS when she was 18. That was 60 yrs ago and at the time, there wasn’t anything in our area that she could go to for help. she took control and founded a school for those who needed it. She will forever be my hero, but hey girl, you are on my list of heros. Nella is so very lucky to have you, your hubby and your other daughter as family. She will THRIVE, that you can count on. She and you are so blessed.
That last comment was from me^^^^ whoopsies!
well the anonymous one!
I used to watch my children grow in my arms…literally. I would pay attention to where their heads fit on my arm as I held them to feed them. They start out fitting in one arm and gradually out grow it. It’s beautiful, scary and sad all at once.
How is it that Nella gets cuter and cuter on each post???!!! She is BEAUTIFUL!! But then again, how could she not be . . . look at her other family members:) I LOVE that Batman POW on last photo!! You are too funny and creative!!:) I still can’t get over how you dress your girls . . . cutest darn outfits I have ever seen!!
Wow! Love your blog! Here is my one year story…written in October http://soulrefill.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-year-ago.html
God is using your words to impact many.
Cammie Howard in NC
I often find myself singing “Nella fantasia” and then Jaxon will say, “please stop singing, mom”. Oh dear, that can’t be good! But balance, oh intangible ever-dangling-carrot of balance. you can’t get back the old balance. you have recreate new balance, one that changes and bends every day. There’s a new ebb and flow to the life in the house with two “littles” as you say. Some days, balance will mean you just being able to stand up straight on your two feet, and other days you’ll have it ALL together. and there’s a million variations in between. as mothers, balance seems to be a constant flight between extremes…so hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
You are amazing! Your daughters are amazing!!! I cannot get enough of your blog. PLEASE never stop writing!!! You inspire me every single day!
PS I cannot get enough of Nella’s gorgeous feet and BEAUTIFUL eyes!!!!! Wow, is she gorgeous!!!!
And Lainey’s constant smile and adorable outfits! Thank you for sharing them with all of us. Please write a book…you will go so far!
the banner rocks…wish you lived closer so you could shoot my family
Footy header – I am in baby feet heaven, thanks!
Chalk boobs = awesome imagination.
And finally. All. Those. Baby. Feets. Many thanks =)
xo
C
Oh, that last picture totally put a smile on my face – POW! Wonderful.
And yay for chalk bodies with boobies, newborn froggy legs, and life in general. (:
I recently started reading your blog, thanks to a friend who shared Nella’s beautiful birth story with me. I just wanted to thank you for your inspiration, and for sharing your beautiful photos, your beautiful family and your beautiful life…you are truly blessed!
Love those little newborn legs – I too have a toddler and newborn to contend with…
You girls are gorgeous – keep up the good work Mama – balance is such a difficult with with two!
Kelle – First I have to say I am not exactly sure I how I found your blog, but I feel so comfortable here. I love the way you write and express the emotions in an honest and trusting way.
Second, DS children are the BEST. I don’t have kids period but give me a room of children and I am naturally drawn to the DS, they are so sweet and precious.
One of my family friend’s children has DS and Nikki is the most fiercly protective of her younger brothers. She dotes on everything they do like a momma bear. Likewise they are fiercely protective of her. I remember after a HIGH SCHOOL basketball game the one brother came over and gave his sister a hug and kiss and told her the game win was for her. Oh, such a touching moment.
Your girls are perfect and will blossom.
By the way you are simply gorgeous inside and out!
I love your blog 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the beautiful pictures of your babies 🙂 They are ADORABLE 🙂 Makes me want a daughter too 🙂
I have a question and I hope you can help me 🙂 I am finding the perfect lens for the canon 7D that was my dad’s before he passed away. I also want to try and capture memories 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Wow. So, I just read your birth story last night, a friend sent me the link. I was in tears…so beautiful. So beautiful. Now I read this post today and I TOTALLY relate to every word you’re saying. I am a mom to two girls too, age 2 and a half and 6 months old. I totally feel that “balance” thing every moment since our baby was born last August. I want to do every thing all of the time, be every thing to everyone…but we do our best. Having two girls is the BEST. You are so blessed. Your family is beautiful. I will continue to follow your lives and I thank you for sharing!
I check your blog everyday since a friend posted your birth story on her Facebook page and even went back and read your entire blog from the beginning. Your love for your girls and life make me realize that I need to savor life more and enjoy every second of my newborn’s life. Thank you for this. And the pictures of your girls always bring a smile to my face, even after the long nights of barely any sleep! 🙂
A BEAUTIFUL new header…
When you figure out that balance “thingy” let me know, I’m still working on it….in fact that could be a be your first book; it would be a best seller!
Yes, newborns are a marvel but I love what I call the “non-blob” stage….you know when they turn into that sturdy baby…when they are so excited to see you that you think they are going to take off because they are flapping their arms like duck taking off from a pond!…when they smile so enthusiastically that their tongues wiggle…when they “talk” to you, a language only a mother understands and answers. I don’t know I love all the stages…watching two beings, I too grew inside me, turn into these incredible people that I am privileged to call my children is indescribable. Then there is the wonderful world of GRAM!!!……enjoy every nanosecond Kelle.
xo, Bug & Ruby’s Gram
Ps…ya sure Lainey doesn’t have a little Montana in her?….love the boots!
oh and I also wanted to add that my husband and I also so looked forward to the “frog legs”, but we called it praying feet. That was our absolute favorite thing about when our first baby was born too. It all does disappear so fast, and I feel the time slipping with both my girls every day. I’ve only read two of your blogs but you’re totally inspiring me to take more pictures and maybe start writing about my girls too. Thanks again for sharing.
I adore your blog- found it thru a friend. The pictures you take are gorgeous- and what precious subjects you have to take pictures of! I am a mama of two girls too- twin 17 month olds! I can relate to the struggle with balance (but in a different way since they’re the same age). Ugh! It’s hard. You are so well written and have such a beautiful story. Love reading!
You are such a beautiful person as much on the inside as you are the outside! As you had heard so many times before, your girls are so lucky to have you for their mommy. And, your photos are absolutely wonderful. You are just such an inspiration you just don’t even know. Thank you so much for sharing your life, girls and photos!
I am new to your blog and absolutely love it! I love your pictures and your writings. Your true emotions are beautiful.
Love the pics, love the sweet baby feet. I kiss my little one’s fat feet every chance I get. By the way, thanks for making me have baby fever again!! Hubby just texted me today to say he wants more kids .. NOW! LOL
Wish we were in the Naples area- your photography is beautiful!
I just found your blog thanks to a link to Nella’s birth story and it has instantly become my new favorite.
Your writing is both honest and profound, and your pictures have a magical quality. All of it is inspiring.
Both of your girls are so lucky to have a mom that insists on “enjoying the small things” and recording all of the beautiful moments in life.
Thank you for sharing your family’s story. I can’t wait to read more and see your little girls grow.
I linked your birth story from my blog today, it is so beautiful.
It reminded me of a lunch out with my (then) teenage son a couple years ago. Close to our table was an older Mennonite couple and their Downs Syndrome teenage son.
I must admit to peeking at them once in awhile, not because of what their son lacked but because of his laughter and theirs.
The mom was alone while Dad and son went to pay the bill. I went over to her and told her that her son seemed to be such a blessing.
She smiled and told me he was. 🙂
I found your blog through a friend’s blog. She’d read Nella’s birth post and passed the link along. I’m in love. Nella is just beautiful. I’ve spent the past week catching up on ALL your posts since you found out you were pregnant with her and I’m just loving how REAL you are. I imagine your reaction, feelings, etc are only normal and I love the way you’ve embraced the new life and precious blessing you were given. You rock girl. Keep on. You’re inspiring us all to embrace the things we didn’t expect and yet love so much.
Love & Hugs,
Jenny
So enjoy your beautiful blog! Your daughters are simply precious and such an incredible blessing. We have 2 girls too, but my babies are now 12 and 15. I cherish every moment with them and it is so very clear how much you cherish every second too. It goes by in the blink of an eye.
I am lucky enough to work with little angels (birth to 3) with DS. Every family I have ever worked with shares a similar story to your amazing story of Nella’s birth. And every family has gone on to see how spectacular their baby is and although it is a slightly different journey, it is one that they would not trade for anything in the world!!
Your blog makes me laugh, brings me to tears and inspires me to be the best I can be for my angels. Thank you for allowing us into your lives…….it is such a gift.
Susan in Boston
I have loved every second of reading along on this fabulous journey! And your photography is AMAZING!!! You have inspired me to think out of the box, and to make every second with my girls count. Thanks for your honesty, inspiration and ideas…you rock!!!
I just snorted coffee, when I read the Kanye West comment. I found you from Macee in LJ…and fell in love with you and your girls. Your story is beautiful, and the love that you have is inspiring me to be the best mother that I can be when my baby arrives in May. Your life is beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us.
Your girls are absolutely beautiful and they are so lucky to have you as a mommy. Nella is and will continue to be loved by so many. I have two sisters and we are my mom’s best friends. I can tell that you and your daughters are going to be the same.
I am no where near starting a life as a mother yet. Before reading your blog my future as a mom was blurry and now it’s crystal clear!
God bless your little angels!
every baby i’ve said … i HAVE to get a picture of that froggy leg stretch that newborns do as you pick them up or take them out of something as they wake up.
i still haven’t done it.
but i think my time is fading … thanks for the reminder!
you’ve got the balance down already … no fear.
WOW.
I’ve just bookmarked your blog. I forgot how contagious attitude is. Your blogs are filled with such optimism, energy, and most of all – LOVE. I also have two little girls, and have been struggling with post partum depression for the last 9 months or so. Just reading about your beautiful family and the bond you all have, it inspires me to appreciate what I have a whole lot more. I think I’m going to go give my kids a hug and maybe bake a cake or something 🙂 Thank you for sharing your life with us!
love your new header and those infant legs and feet. sweet, sweet, sweet! Happy all is well!
Newbie here — hi! Someone sent me your birth story and I’ve been reading and enjoying. My son is 8.
I so appreciate your willingness to go ahead and be sad and not hold it all in!
I used to secretly believe that all the families who wrote endlessly about DS being a blessing were lying. Or out of their minds.
But now I say the same thing and I am not lying. Although I’m reluctant to tell people, because they’ll think I’ve lost it.
Yes I am hopelessly, impossibly optimistic. But it’s more than that. I’ve become part of this new community because of DS. And it’s a community I’m happy to belong to because my people are not pretentious — they only bother with the things that are real and valuable and important in life. I’d so much rather spend most of my life with people like that! People who believe in unconditional love. People who don’t mind needing each other. People who don’t obsess about brand-name labels and who know enough not to compare themselves to others.
Also, as you are discovering, having a child with an extra chromosome is 95% exactly the same as parenting one who doesn’t, and only a little bit “different.”
I hope someone has pointed you in the direction of “Welcome to Holland.” I hope that you will find true friends in this new community that you didn’t know you would belong to.
I hope you will keep blogging. Your writing and your photos are very beautiful. So are you! 🙂
–Amy
Kelle, I just came across your blog last week from a friend of a friend of a friend. And wow, you write amazingly (can’t wait for the book!), and you exert the most amazing feeling of love and acceptance. I love it. Good job, God bless, and keep up your mad Mommy skills.
You are an inspiration. Thank you for reminding me what the most important things are in life. The laundry can wait, we have paper plates and who cares about the towel on the bathroom floor. My daughter will never be this small again and my son will never be 10 again. My children thank you!
Hi Kelle-A friend forwarded me the link to your blog…I just had a little girl 10 weeks ago. For many reasons, your writing and your photography have grabbed my heart (but I don’t really have enough time to check in too often due to the previously mentioned baby!) In any case, your writing, your photos, your honesty-all wonderful. Nella is absolutely beautiful, and I too, find myself loving all the awesomeness of newborn babies, although mine at 10weeks is much less a newborn than yours. It’s all so beautiful and it goes by far too fast.
And as the mother of 3, I am also riding the emotional roller-coaster of balancing time with the baby with the older children. It’s hard, but it is getting easier, little by little. I still feel like a crazy lady for the most part, but I think I’m getting more comfortable with the idea of being the crazy lady. 🙂
Keep up the wonderful work!
Hi Kelle….just wanted to be one of many to tell you how much your heartfelt story is a true inspiration. My daughter at time will complain when I tell her “the Lord only gives you as much as you can handle.” To which she always says…”I just wish he didn’t trust me so much!” I can feel that trust in your words that everyone will be fine.
hello all,
I am new here and , fatiguing to realize proficiency of some things here.
Sorry for my bad english i m Belarus
Thanks.
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Hey Kelle,
I just wanted to say thanks for your open heart and your beautiful photographs.
I also wanted to share my perspective as an older sister to a sister with DS. I was five years old when she was born. Reading your birth story brought back all the feelings I had from when she was first born.
I can not explain the fierce and absolute feelings of protectiveness I had for Rachael from the very beginning. She was not only my baby sister but she was my special baby sister! She was of course still my sibling in many ways and as she grew up in her own unique way I would torture her just as any big sister tortures their little sister! As we all grew up it was very difficult sometimes dealing with the people who stared or the kids who said things like kids say things but we got through it! Rachael is now 22 years old! She works as at a local grocery store, swims with Special Olympics, takes dance class with all her friends, volunteers at a local nursing home and LOVES High School Musical. I take her with me every month to my hairdresser and we have girl day and get our hair done! Sometimes she spends the night at my house the day before and we watch movies. I hope someday that she can come and live with me and my family! I won’t deny that I miss many things about Rachael that are not there. I have mourned and grieved for the sister I never had and the things that are different as a result. But I also know without a doubt that if things were suddenly to change and she were to be “normal” I would greatly miss the Rachael that I know…she would leave a big and gaping hole in our family.
Sorry this is so long! You inspired me to share!
Life is full and beautiful and you do such a great job of making me stop and THINK about that! Thank you!
Your ability to find such humor, grace and a positive attitude when a lot of “us” would be balled up in a corner is inspiring and has pushed me to try and find beauty in the little things while going through hard times myself. As a fellow photographer with family in nearby Boca Raton, kudos to you!
Love reading your posts and the beautiful pictures of your girls. I find myself getting online just to see if you have posted anything new! Love the last pic POW! Keep writing as your story has inspired many people and many more to come! You have been given many gifts and talents,your children, photography, and writing to name a few.
i love that song!
don’t let it knock you down..you just have to stand up higher. dig your roots a little farther and hang on for the ride.
*high fives nella’s foot*
hi friends,
I am just joined here and , worrying to gain facts of some things here.
Sorry for my bad english i m Belarus
Thanks.
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I was forwarded the link to beautiful Nella’s birth story by a friend and I am so inspired by your commitment to your daughters, your words, and your BEAUTIFUL photos. I feel encouraged to make the most of my time with my children, start blogging again and start taking my photography dream seriously. You also make me want to desperately have a newborn again but I don’t think the husband would like that idea too much right now. We already have a 3 and 1 year old 🙂 Thank you so much and God bless you and your beautiful family <3
You are an inspiration. I have been skimming your blog, viewing your photos and noticed that on December 29, 2008 you wrote about turning 30
“and once the twenties were safely stored and a proper farewell was said, i brought out the new box. i can’t see in it yet, but i can tell just by the outside that there is beauty inside. sorrow too…yes, i’m sure. but there is in every box, and this one seems to come with more coping skills. more growth. more experiences. more challenges. more love.
i can’t wait.”
Isn’t that incredible? Somehow you knew you were chosen to do something magical and touch so many people along the way. Thank you.
i have recently come across your blog and must say THANK U for sharing and bringing wonderful tears to my eyes every day u post. u give this woman hope that one day, i will have my baby in my arms to hold. after 2 angels…i have to believe, and u give me strength…all the best to u….p.s..u are an amazing photographer!!!
I love her.
is there something in the water that all the toddlers are drinking? my daughter will be 3 in april and “no way” and “go away” are her absolute favourite things to say lately.
i’ve been perusing your playlist…. excellent choices! i want to make a suggestion though, on the off chance you’ve never heard it… the bonnie raitt song “feels like home” was also recorded by chantal kreviazuk, a brilliant canadian singer with an angel of a voice. neither of them wrote it, but chantal’s version is SO lovely. seeing that you enjoy lily allen and imogen heap, i think you’d be a fan.
your pictures are so amazing thats not even the word but i cant think of anything better!! I would love to fly to you from canada for you to take my families pictures. All the pictures of your beautiful girls and you are totally gorgeous! Your blog always makes me smile or cry sometimes both- anyway i always close my computer with a smile and a warm heart you are a amazing person and have sucha gift as a photographer and a writer and a mom those girls are so lucky!
I was sent a link to Nella’s birth story about a week ago. I’ve read it multiple times, but it just occured to me tonight that it’s a BLOG. There is more!
Your photos are all so beautiful! Your girls are beautiful! And the clothes you dress them in… I love them! Where do you shop?!
Kelle,
Can’t decide which I look forward to more – your writing or your photos! You are so gifted – thanks for sharing!
After I got the amnio results that told me my little girl had DS I scoured the internet for postive words from anyone telling me life would go on. I am so happy that you are showing the world that it does. And we are all better for it. I also remember reading a post from a mom who said that she had always wished her kids would stay small longer so she could enjoy and relish each small change and accomplishment. We are given that opportunity with our DS children. She will hit all her milestones but in her own time. In the meantime we get to enjoy her journey and watch a little longer. See, prayers are answered. Nella is lucky to have parents who will not only celebrate each of her milestones but each moment of her life. Congratulations!
Kelle, I found your blog when someone linked to Nella’s birth story on a forum I visit. I just wanted to let you know that your story is inspiring. You have been so honest, and I know this will come as huge comfort to other parents of children with disabilities. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome and while he has faced many struggles he’s now a wonderful 19 year old who we all love to bits.
You have a beautiful family 🙂
Just like everyone else, I’m here because I read your birth story. I can pretty much say “ditto” to everything that has already been written regarding that.
However, I did want to add that I love your musical taste. I sometimes open up your blog just to have the music playing – it’s a fantastic playlist. 🙂
I just read Nella’s birth story and I loved it. It was nice to take a moment out of my hectic morning and read such a wonderful account. My sister has Down Syndrome. I am 25 and she is 24, we are less than a year apart. 🙂 Your Lainey will no doubt grow up different, in a good way. She will look at difference as a blessing while other children may not. Having a sister with down syndrome has taught me a lot, that all people are different and yet EVERYONE has something to offer the world. I can honestly say I’m a BETTER person than I would have been had I not had this lovely sister of mine in my life. She makes me happy. Oh and by the way Nella is absolutely PERFECT, her beauty takes my breath away. Have a blessed day, I will come back to read your blog often.
oh…the baby feet and froggy legs!!! i love them.
those pictures are beautiful. some of my favorites!
think i’m going to frame the one of lainey and nella on the blanket…the one where lainey is laughing—i adore that one!!!
pow pic…made me laugh!
shoot, the zone is calling…damn.
she is heaven on earth and her little squeaks melt my heart!
nella and lainey are doing sister ‘things’ already! i love it and i know it’s healing to watch. a different story…a better one. did you say that? think so!
xoxo
…gotta go…zone again
My MIL sent your blog to me….knowing how much it would touch me. Your daughters a beautiful. Aren’t children wonderful? I just had my 5th this past September. I waited in anticipation of a second homebirth to be just as beautiful as my 1st (4th child). My due dates past, as it did with the four others, and I expected to wait a few weeks longer. I felt uneasy one evening and my water broke…. it was green. I went to the hospital and after 3 hours my beautiful daughter was born by emergency C-section. She was lifeless at birth, and I’m thankful I was asleep. After 30 days in the hospital, we brought her home and it was been an adventure, to say the least. Microcephaly, seizures, cerebral palsy. Life has changed. But, I’m learning each day, as you are, it isn’t for the worse…but for the better. I will enjoy watching your story unfold and you are welcome to watch mine, too. This story has helped put my feelings into words. I’m sure it might for you, as well, though you are wonderful at doing that yourself already.
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by Emily Perl Kingsley.
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this……
When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.
It’s all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.”
“Holland?!?” you say. “What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”
But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around…. and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills….and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy… and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.”
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away… because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But… if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things … about Holland.
Right there with ya, girl. Realizing being a good momma is mostly about small things. You are a great mom!!!!
I’m a new follower, found you through a friend of a friend. I just wanted to say your girls are beautiful. I’m a new mother and reading your blog and the way you describe all the precious little details of your girls has inspired me to start my own blog… I don’t want to ever forget those oh so important “small things” that seem to get forgotten if we don’t write them down. Thank you for your inspiration!
I’m so glad that I was sent a link to Nella’s birth story a week or so ago. Not only because it was so beautiful, but also because it introduced me to your blog. I have to say, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who read that post, and then went back to the very beginning and read your entire blog from start to now. I have to tell you, I’m fairly positive my husband thinks I’m crazy, he’d call home from work during the day and ask me what I was doing. The response he got for three or four days straight? “Just finished -insert menial task such as laundry or dishes here- and now I’m reading Kelle’s blog.” But regardless of what he thinks, I have to say, I am deeply inspired by you, and moved by what you do. I would love to be able to write about my little and start taking pictures again, I guess I just don’t know where to start. Plus, the baby won’t be here for another four months still, and I feel like I don’t know what to do with myself in the meantime. I’d love to be able to create yearbooks for my child as well, and though I know I have the skill and know-how, the problem is I lack the dedication to follow through with something like that over an entire year, let alone over multiple years. I’m sorry this has turned into a long rambling mess, but I know you like stream of consciousness, so I hope you don’t mind TOO terribly much. Send my love to the girls!
Katie
I have to tell you..
I found your blog yesterday and I am in awe. your family is absolutely beautiful, your gorgeous, your house is unreal. I really really really love your blog. Lainey is too cute! Nella is such a blessing, she is BEAUTIFUL just like her sister. I just wanted to tell you that you are SO blessed it’s crazy!!
I know you are a busy woman. But if you could, take a moment to peek at how your blog has touched me, and how I’m passing it along.
http://caringriffith.blogspot.com/2010/02/meet-kelle.html
Hugs, from someone on this amazing journey; from someone who already feels as though they know you
Thanks for sharing your story.
Your blog inspires me to be a better mum, making the most of every moment I have with my baby boy. He’s 5 months now, and I’m debating going back to work. However, Jesus has reminded me that nothing’s more important than the time I spend with Elijah, even money…He will provide everything I need, and right now He’s telling me that my baby needs me!! So, thanks for encouraging me to make the most of every day, and every moment with my son!!!
By the way, your little girls have the coolest clothes!!!
Oh how much I want to say (having never commented b4).
Congrats x 1000… Beautiful darlings you have… Thanks for honesty, reality and immeasurable love… Sure you’ve heard of the Holland poem/book whatever it is… Still finding beauty and lots of it. As for balance, me too. But remember the best gift you can give your daughter is a sister and you’ve done it… and they’ll both thank you some day.
Choose life and love 🙂
Regards (I share your birthday, year and all!!) Mari (my own little beauties call me away.)
I just got to your website through a link from another. I can identify with your birth story of Nella. I am 6 years into my journey with my daughter with Down syndrome. The first few years there were many moments of grief and tears. But now I would not have her any other way and I don’t grieve anymore. She is wonderful just the way God made her.
A Dutch photographer took pictures of kids with DS and published a book (in Dutch of course) that is truly moving. You can see some of the pages here: http://www.bol.com/nl/p/nederlandse-boeken/de-upside-van-down/1001004006389505/index.html#product_images.
I thought that might interest you as a photographer yourself.
Nella is just precious!! And your photos are beautiful. I wish you the best in your journey.
Hi! I recently stumbled upon your blog through Dig This Chicks site. I just wanted to let you know that in the short amount of time that I’ve been reading your blog, you’ve been such an inspiration. I love that you write about your REAL emotions rather than hiding them. I admire your positive attitude and your strength to get through the hard times. Your children are absolutely beautiful and you seem like one very awesome mama! Thanks for sharing your stories!
i miss the links to your favorite blogs….will you re-post? i was following your sisters blog along with yours.
i miss the links to your favorite blogs….will you re-post? i was following your sisters blog along with yours.
i miss the links to your favorite blogs….will you re-post? i was following your sisters blog along with yours.
loving your blog and your babies SO much! When I saw Vancouver, I just had to say hey! I am actually from Williams Lake, which is about 7 hours north of Vancouver.
I am going to shoot at the paralympics next month…so excited to be in van & whistler and feel the spirit!
you are fabulous, and your baby girls are just beautiful…thanks for sharing them so freely (can you tell I have 3 boys?!)
Kelle~
I have been reading your blog for awhile now. I find myself wanting to get to work early so I can read any new posts. I am a special education teacher. I love my job! I have several girls in my class with DS. They are awesome. I actually find myself being jealous of you. You are so free spirited, happy and positive. My new years resolution and for lent I am going to try and adopt your attitude. I feel like you are one of my friends. When I get home my step daughter will ask “what did Kelle say today?” You are an amazing woman! Your kids are beautiful! I wish you could come to NJ and take some pictures of my babies before they are all grown up. It goes so fast. Enjoy them! I can’t wait for your book!!!! How is it coming?
Missy
I just spent the last hour here, for the very first time. I cannot put into words what is one my heart. But for now I am going to turn off the computer and go outside to play with the two littlest souls that God has placed in my life.
Thanks…and I’ll be back to visit. Kim
Vancouver? I just moved to CA from Victoria, BC. Go Canada!
I have been reading your blog for awhile….have some time tonight so I was reading some of your older posts. I am from Vancouver, BC just discovered that you are too. So cool!! Your blog posts are like a magical treat, I look forward to them!!