Third Trimester (personal project)
This is definitely my most “personal” personal project yet. For about a decade, I wondered if I would ever know what it would be like to carry a baby full term and give birth, which I really wanted to experience in my lifetime. After a history of miscarriages sandwiched between years of infertility, this successful pregnancy was extra poignant.
Yet, my pregnancy was no picnic. I experienced intense back pain and was sick for most of it, and in the first trimester, our whole family got Covid. My husband and I worried what it was doing to the baby as not much was known at that point. I also went through an emotional and mental roller coaster, coping with the trauma of past losses and anxiously hoping I wouldn’t experience another. It was a sigh of relief when I reached the home stretch of the third trimester and baby girl was doing great. This project was a fun way to get me through those last months until her long-awaited arrival. She was born in April and we aptly named her Hope.
A few of the main things I wanted to document with this project: my ever-supportive and perceptive husband, our adopted girls processing their baby sister coming to our family in a different way from them, the continuous back pain, my changed body, nesting, and other situations or scenes unique to my third trimester experience.
Hot lemon water for the win
My Grandma’s rocking chair, where I’ve rocked each of my babies
Sweet relief
Bibs that my friend Catherine made after our first was born/adopted, now adorning our nursery
Drive by baby shower by my sweet neighbors
Sanctuary. The shot of me bouncing on there eating my hidden stash of chocolate didn’t work so well…
“My Brest friend” nursing pillow ;)
“Helpers”
After I lost my first baby, a friend gave us that figurine. Who knew we would eventually name our baby Hope.
Accio wrapper!
He always wore funky socks
Dr. Ferguson, very personable and compassionate OB
I always wondered what it would be like to balance a plate on a pregnant belly.
My hero
Competition between my feet and back for the “most painful” award. My back usually won but walking helped a little.
Doubly my hero
Was my birth just as significant? Lots of questions…
Days away
We made it.
And if you’ve made it this far, thanks for following! And many thanks to all those who have been a great support to us through it all. Now on to my life-long project of documenting this miracle family of mine.
XO
P.s. Hope Mae at 5 weeks
Our first family portrait. Can’t keep my eyes open for some odd reason
Beautiful, brilliant, tender and moving.
Amazing, authentic, artistic project, sharing your heart and this part of your life, your miracle pregnancy, with its sacrifices, pain, humor, joy and wonder! What a treasure for you, for Hope, her big sisters, your heroic husband, and for all of us who love you and your great talent!
These are gorgeous! My favorite project by far. I loved all the different angles you captured ofpregnancy. Accio wrapper😂🤣
Beautiful storytelling! I’m so happy for you and your sweet family!
Wow. C’est trop beau.
Belles perspectives de la vie dans toute sa vérité.
Félicitations!!!
Très belle famille.
Et une belle artiste.
Beautiful! I have felt like I missed out on this momentous experience. This helps me feel a part of it now.
I loved it all!! My favorite picture? Drew shaving your legs. For some reason that one choked me up.
True love.
Kristi, These are all so so good and what a great reminder of all the different aspects of pregnancy. Love the belly poking out of the pantry eating a favorite snack. How you did the overhead one of your family eating a meal is amazing. *I’ve tried but failed– i should try again* I love the one of your daughter and her baby “coming out” of her shirt (also love that the other one is lying on her back/such an interesting photo). That’s so interesting she knew how the baby would come out. Your husband is so nice to shave your legs. I also love the one of you and him just sitting on your bed- it feels so sacredly imitate. I’m sorry you’ve had a rough pregnancy but what a great way to “pass” the time was come up with such creative, meaningful and lovely storytelling photos. Love the movement of the baking, the vantage point of the dr doing your ultrasound, the anguish of you sitting on the couch with your head back and the layers in the getting read photo with drew brushing a kids hair. In otherwords, I love them all and could comment forever. Your creativity inspires me for my personal work. Thank you for sharing.