Newborn Photoshoot Pics + 2-Month Update

Good news on the baby front, guys: things are much better this week than they were when I wrote last week's post! But thank you all SO much for the outpouring of support, advice, + well-wishes. Your words made me feel so much better + much less alone in the midst of my freakout!

In fact, I'm writing this post from my local library, where I've been working while our childcare provider, Donna, takes care of Charlie Mae in our home. You all were right--leaving the house while I work [for now] is the answer; Charlie Mae can't smell me or sense me, I can't hear her if she's fussy, and Donna can figure out her own ways to soothe her without a nervous mom hovering around and listening at the door {ugh, I'm so annoying!}. We did this last Thursday and things were *much* better and so far so good today... 

No changes on the bottle front yet (she still refuses to do anything but gum the nipple), but we're still hopeful, especially after all of the success stories you all shared with me. And if she never takes it, we'll deal. As you do. 

So...on to the exciting news: Charlie Mae slept 7.5 hours straight for the past 3 nights. I know!!!! I'm dying. It's the best thing ever. 

Also, as of yesterday, she's 2 months old, and despite having to get her 2-month shots yesterday (NOT FUN), she's basically been a ball of joy for the past 5 days or so. She's looking around SO much more, talking her baby talk all day long, giving us these huge smiles, reaching for toys, and kicking her legs around like there's no tomorrow. It's pretty fab.

And guess what? Once I got out of the house to work and let go of the guilt, working again feels REALLY good. I love what I do, I love creating, I love teaching, and it's nice to reconnect with some of the parts of my life that existed pre-Charlie Mae. I know it will make me a better mother in the end.

But enough about that. Lets get on to the main event and take a look back at some of the pics from our newborn photoshoot with Kati Mennett of Sparks Fly Photography! We did the shoot when Charlie Mae was 15 days old, and she looks *so* tiny in them! We just got them back this week and they made us very happy. 

Oh, and yes, Sayde did try to totally takeover this photoshoot--and succeeded at times because she's so FREAKING cute! Also, I never knew what a kissy family we were until I saw these pics, haha! The ones of Ben kissing Charlie Mae make me totally melt ;) 

I mean, does Sayde slay you, or what!?!

You can view more amazing photography by Kati Mennett on her portrait + event site {Sparks Fly Photography} and/or her fine art site {KatiMennett.com}. I also recommend following her on Instagram; her pics are gorgeous. 

Oh, and just to show you how much Charlie Mae has grown, check out her 2 month pics from yesterday: 

Time sure is flying by...and speaking of time flying, I'll be posting more regularly again starting next week!

We're headed to Chicago for my BFF's wedding this weekend (first time flying with Charlie Mae; wish us luck!), and then I plan to get back to regular posting when we get back, starting November 1st.

See you then! Thanks for your patience as I've tried to figure out this whole 'mom' thing!