The other day my dad said that even though he knew the last few weeks had been exhausting, he hoped that Mike and I were taking a few moments here and there to enjoy our final baby. At the time I was like, “I am just trying to survive,” but what he said stuck with me, and I did start making a conscious effort to savor the little things about James that I want to remember – those fleeting newborn bits that are gone in a blink.
I love that strong newborn grip:
I love his hands, which look so big compared to the rest of him:
I love his wrinkly feet and flakey baby skin:
I love how he has extra skin to grow into (and a fine layer of soft baby fuzz on top of it):
I love the perfect curve of his ear:
I love the current color of his eyes:
I love how he looks right before he sneezes:
And of course, I love all of his hair:
But most of all, I love how he fits on my chest, and how he settles with his ear just above my heart.
He is our perfect final baby.
Kathryn M. says:
Cute little baby bird! One day he’ll probably grow up to be as tall as Mike, enjoy every step inbetween.
ryan says:
He looks a lot like Maddie to me!
kakali says:
I totally agree with Ryan. James looks like you completely. Before James was born I wrote that I had a feeling James would look like Maddie and of course Maddie was a clone of you. Annie looks like Mike but James looks like you but may be his nose looks little bit like Annie. I am so glad you are enjoying every moment and not stressing yourself with breast feeding! The bonding comes from how much the children are loved and cared and we all know that.
ryan says:
Beautiful big eyes just like his two big sisters.
Annalisa says:
You forgot his nose.
He does have the cutest little button nose, doesn’t he?
Lilian says:
Yes, he is perfect !!!
Vicky says:
He is beautiful!
Jenn says:
Your dad & I had the same thought. I’m glad his words stayed with you. James is perfect! Enjoy this special time with your perfect little family!!! xoxo
Sarah says:
What a wonderfully wrinkly baby! And those faces, he’s adorable!
CAM says:
I am glad that your Dad said something and that it resonated with you.
Nellie says:
Oh, such perfection! Enjoy every second of it and all the glorious baby smells that come with it too!
Kelly says:
He is just beautiful. So happy for all of you.
TamaraL says:
He is such a sweet little guy…love all of his perfect little details! And his eyes…LOVE those eyes!
Amy D. says:
Preciously perfect!
Jannette says:
I love his facial expressions. Thank you for sharing him.
vicki says:
So happy for your little family!
Emily says:
Yay, I was waiting for this post! I know you did something similar with the girls. You’re a talented detail photographer (and a talented baby maker!) He’s wonderful.
AmyG says:
He’s a beautiful fit to your family! Thank you for taking time to share him with us!
Vicky says:
I personally love all the faces he makes. So happy for you guys.
Lisa says:
He is perfect. Love those little, fleeting things that make up a newborn.
Steph says:
Bampa is wise because, as you know, newborns aren’t new for very long. He is so precious and perfect!
Julie says:
These pictures are great, I swear I could actually smell him when looking at them. My “baby” is 22…the years fly by too fast, trust me.
Robin Wyatt says:
Absolutely precious but the picture about the color of his eyes reminds me of Jack Nicholson. “Herrreeees James”
Jessica says:
Love the baby wrinkles, I felt the same with my last little rainbow baby. I was trying to survive but savor it all at the same time.
Leslie says:
The last picture is absolutely precious.
Amanda says:
Intoxicating.
Missy says:
Yes, yes he is. Perfect in every way.
Cameron says:
He’s lovely. And so are you.
I thought this might help in understanding that the weight loss he experienced and the delay in your production are normal, explicable events following your complicated pregnancy and method of delivery. And it should get a lot better for both of you soon It’s a good series with some excellent information.
http://www.bestforbabes.org/booby-traps-series-what-your-cankles-want-you-to-know-about-breastfeeding
Liz says:
Oh My Gosh he is adorable. It’s making my uterus ache for another one…. and my youngest is only 8 months old. AH!
Daniela says:
Love this post. Great advice. Are you practicing Skin-to-Skin often? There’s a physiologic reason he settles right there on your chest… https://nuroobaby.com/skin-to-skin/
Heather says:
Yes, we do skin-to-skin as much as possible!
Tami says:
Aww, such sweet pictures!!
Heidi says:
Yes! Yes! And Yes!!! I wish I would have enjoyed my final baby even more. It’s hard when you have a toddler (or preschooler) and a new baby. Add to that that my husband was traveling every single week, and I simply didn’t enjoy my baby as much as I wish I would have. And I wish I had taken more pictures. Good for you!
amourningmom says:
What great advice your dad gave you! Someone said something similar to me on my wedding day and since then I try to remember to stop and take mental pictures. It goes so fast at times.
And, I agree with you James is the perfect baby.
Jeanie says:
Your father is a wise man. James’ expressions kill me. So cute!
Jen says:
Perfection!
Jill says:
I love the newborn fuzzy body hair! It sounds strange but I can remember being fascinated with their little backs and shoulders. James is beautiful.i’m glad you’ve found a feeding balance that is working for everyone.
Greis says:
Such a sweetie! Can’t wait to meet him. So perfect, indeed! (Also, I really kind of want one now!)
Mommy says:
He is so precious. What a sweetie pie!!!
I love his faux hawk and his big sparkly eyes. Your three kids have Disney character eyes- the perfect almond shape and the most beautiful color, with a stunning sparkle to them.
I’m so happy for you all!!
Laura says:
We have four kids with ten years between the oldest and the youngest. One day. I was in line for fast food with a baby on my hip while I tried to keep track of the other three. An elderly gentleman behind me tapped me on the shoulder and told me to savor these moments because pretty soon they would all be gone and it would be just me and my “‘old man”. We have teenagers now. Savor those moments!!!
Beth says:
It is so much easier said than done, but I don’t feel like I enjoyed those baby moments and now I miss them.
Paula says:
This post makes me want to have one. more. baby. I miss all of that with my kids but mostly the cuddles.
Karen says:
Gorgeous!
TracyKM says:
He’s perfect, whether he’s the final one or not (I know you’re having no more, but I mean…even if he wasn’t the final one, he’d be perfect. He’s perfect no matter what). Perfection is a newborn.
Do you use a wrap or other sling when you do skin to skin? Babywearing really is a godsend, especially when you have more than one child.
A relative just had her first baby, and I told her several times while near her due date, to make sure to enjoy her baby too–not just do the things you have to do, but really, really, get heart to heart, even in the rough times. Her baby was born with some unexpected health conditions and was airlifted to a children’s hospital shortly after birth. I hope she still gets to have these moments! And don’t forget, there is no time limit–savour ALL the moments, they change so quickly!!
Auntie_M says:
Oh James!!! He is perfectly perfect, isn’t he??? So glad Bampa motivated this photography session!!!
James appears to have settled right in to live “life on the outside” and looks so happy & content at home.
Is it just me or is hair lightening up already??? I think you may have another redhead on your hands!!! Or auburn brown at least!!!
And I’m lovin’ all James’ facial expressions! And that little snuggled pose on your chest–isn’t that the best place to snuggle ever???
Love, love, love, and an extra love to you all!
Me says:
Beautiful – once again, great shots!
cynthia says:
Oh just beautiful! These made me misty eyed.
My little guy was born a few days before James and I love all of these things about him, also. I wish I was as good of a photographer as you!
Alizabeth says:
So handsome! And he looks JUST like Maddie to me. Those eyes. How perfect.