Sweet Baby Rainsford –

It’s hard to believe that our time together – JUST you & I – is almost coming to an end. Soon, your big brother will beg to hold you, Papa will carry you proudly, & the whole world will be eager to watch you grow. But for now, it’s just you & I.

I am soaking in these days, although some days are harder than others – you have been a JOY to carry!! There is nothing that compares to feeling your kicks or hick-ups. I feel like I can already sense what makes you happy as you wiggle inside of me!

We have been on a journey as I have carried you to so many places & wedding days. You are a miracle, sweet one! And I hope one day you will be able to look at this journey for yourself & see how the Lord protected you far before you were even born!!

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July 5 2018 – the weekend we found out about you, I was SO sick! Thankfully we had no weddings for 2 months so I could rest & take lots of naps. I went to sleep this weekend & I don’t think I woke up until September. Your papa was an ALL-STAR taking care of Kerr & keeping our home & business running smoothly!

A few weeks after we learned about you, we had the joy of taking pictures with Anna Duncan at the Crafted Space. My dress fit perfectly a few weeks previously, but now I could barely zip it up!! I was so sick on the way to the shoot & prayed that we could make it through without spilling our secret to the attendees! Of course, Anna caught on when I quickly ate a piece of pizza off to the side (carbs, carbs, carbs!) & rejoiced with us!!

August – Snuggling my two babies in bed & papa snagged one of my all-time favorite photos of Kerr & I. I can’t wait to have you by our side soon!

August 2018 – I wanted to be so brave when we hosted our first workshop on photographing weddings with Confidence!! The first day I was so sick, I had to tell our sweet attendees about you. But we powered through & I was so happy to have you with me!

September – We escaped the summer heat to pick apples with Kerr & Scout. You already love apples – they are one of the fruits that eased my sickness right away!

Our first announcement to the world that you were coming – already 16 weeks & feeling much better – but boy you showed yourself so early it was hard to keep you a secret!!

Our first wedding back from our time off & so happy to have you with me!

October 2018 – 2 sweet weddings & you are growing like a weed!! I had to stop multiple times to snack & hydrate because you were growing so quickly!

Fall For Greenville 2018 & we couldn’t get enough of the ice cream sandwiches!! Kerr, of course, loved them too & we had to share a lot

November 2018 – Here we are in the throws of motherhood, raising a little boy, juggling a home & running a business – all in one place! I had a moment to document the crazy & these are some of my favorite photos of the 3 of us!

November 2019 – At Sydney & Doug’s wedding, we went back for 2 helpings of pimento cheese! It was one of the coldest weddings & papa didn’t want us to be outside for too long so we could stay strong & healthy.

Christmas 2019 goes down as one of my favorite times with you! I loved carrying you through the Advent season & teaching your older brother about Baby Jesus, Mama Mary, & Papa Joseph. Next year Kerr will show you all of our Christmas books & teach you how to open presents (a skill he quickly perfected!!).

January 2020 – Virginia & Tarver’s wedding day was so beautiful! It was a joy to share you with dear friends & family who we have known for so long. Lots of guests & family members voted that you will be a boy! Only time will tell 🙂

Here we are, Baby!! We made it to Kate & Billy’s wedding at the end of January 2020. Joy of all joys to cross this finish line with you 🙂

If it’s you Baby Boy – my prayer is that you will be a strong warrior for His Kingdom. That you will know GOOD & have wisdom in all areas of your life. I am already praying for a strong & faithful wife who will be a safeguard for you – a place of comfort & your secret keeper – your best friend. She will be a delight to you & your children will rise up & called her “Blessed”. Oh to meet her will be one of my greatest joys & I will weep to let you go!

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If its you Baby Girl – my prayer is that the Lord would define you – not the world. That you would delight in all things beautiful & that you would radiate His goodness & mercy all of your days. I am praying that your husband will be a refuge for you as you both seek His Kingdom & not your own comfort. I weep at the thought of watching you walk down the aisle – a joy-filled but humbling day for all mamas who give away their baby girls!

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Oh Lord – hold me in the palm of your hand as I raise these little ones you have so graciously given me. Give me grace as I steward them for your Kingdom & not my own. For Your glory alone. Give me faith to trust you in the hard moments, joy in the mundane, & OH LORD. Please bring our babies to be convicted & captured by you.

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May God give you eyes to see, all that is good, all that is good.

And the courage for anything, may you be strong, may you be strong.

May God give you ears to hear, His loving voice, His loving voice.

Speaking all around you,

all around,

And deep INSIDE.

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All my love, your mama.