Well, my goal was to update my blog at the end of every trimester, but…I don’t even have a valid excuse. I’ve just been TIDE! Lol! I am proud to say that I have journaled regularly throughout my pregnancy, and I am glad that I made that a priority. I already love looking back at the entries. Art even joined in in the beginning and took notes of some of the ridiculous preggo things I’ve said!  Anyway, I’m going to write this blog post for a few reasons 1). I like to look back on these posts about special times in my life. 2). I’m also going to write this for those in a season of waiting – no matter what you’re waiting on! 3). Since I’ve mentioned having PCOS a few times on social media, several have messaged me wanting to know more. I know hearing stories like mine helped me during the TTC process.  4). Lastly, I’m writing this for other women that may be expecting. I’m going to try to keep up with blogging helpful things that have/have not worked for us on this journey. Art and I are new to this parenting thing, and you know what they say – there is no book on parenting (though I have read a few), so take it with a grain of salt.

Get some coffee, wine, water, snacks, etc. This is gonna be a loooong one. If all the reading isn’t for you, feel free to just scroll through enjoy a few pictures!

TTC

Now, I do realize that our trying to conceive journey is actually quite short in comparison to many, but that doesn’t take away the stress and hardship that we endured. In August of 2017, I learned that I was pregnant. I was shocked because we were not trying. Then a week or two later, I learned that we lost that baby, and that my hormones were all over the place because of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). In short, PCOS affects your hormone levels, and it is the number one cause for infertility. My progesterone levels were too low to sustain a pregnancy. I will NEVER forget waking up and knowing that I was losing that baby, and Art jumping out of bed and holding my hand and beginning to pray for us. I was pretty emotional, but I do remember him praying that God would bless us on His time and for our strength. I know Art was nervous and his mind was all over the place too, but he stayed as strong as one could. I appreciated that A LOT.

A few months later, we decided to be intentional with trying. I had my preconception appointment and the nurse practitioner at my OBGYN office (whom I LOVE) warned that it could take me months or YEARS to get pregnant with PCOS. She herself has it, and she’d been trying for FIVE years. She gave me her nutritionist’s (specializes in nutrition that aids fertility) number and suggested I cut back on all of the cardio. I took her advice – changed my diet to Keto, slowed down on cardio and started doing more strength training, and got the number of infertility doctors from co-workers. She also suggested I start tracking my Aunt Flo. I used an app called OVIA and ovulation strips (the expensive Clearblue and First Response ones with the smiley faces). Lastly, I used Ovasitol (from Amazon) in my water to improve my hormone functioning. If you know me, you know I did my own research, and I was committed. Not many knew all of the lengths I was going through – other than Art. All the while, I was being asked REPEATEDLY from family, friends, clients, and even my students when we were going to have a baby and if I even wanted one. I think that made the process far more stressful, and I swear to never ask another woman when she plans to have a baby or another baby. Every month I was on this merry-go-round. I would convince myself that if it didn’t happen, I’d be okay with it just being me and Art forever. We could easily travel and just be the very best God parents or aunt and uncle (in the future)…we don’t NEED kids! Then, I’d start tracking and get hopeful. We’d try. I’d take a test and find out that I wasn’t pregnant. My Aunt Flo would come. I’d sob. & the cycle starts again. It was torture honestly. During this time one of my best friends was pregnant. I’d call to check on her weekly, and she’d give me updates per my request, but she’d also check on me – “I read this book and you should try x,y, and z” or “Idk about you being my baby’s God mom because I have faith that this time next year, you WILL be pregnant”…man. My mom even said she would carry a baby for us, if it was still medically possible. She’d also insist that it would somehow happen one day.  It’s important to have people that speak life into you during your season of waiting.

The nurse practitioner that I bonded with told me that she was finalllllly pregnant AND that she just had this feeling I would be too. She had this inclination that it would happen for me over the summer break – when I was more relaxed. I hoped she was right, and I heard a sermon on how we should wait on God to fulfill our desires. We should keep the faith and stop watching the clock and doubting him. I decided to TRY that and also do some traveling and just enjoy life over the summer. Art and I went to the Bahamas instead of any other country since it was safe from ZIKA – juuuust in case I got pregnant. I went to NYC for a week of professional development + fun, and I visited my family in Florida and my in-laws in Cleveland. Art and I had a blast…and we prayed A LOT. We prayed specifically about having a baby. Needless to say, I got pregnant…over the summer. It took us about 4 months.

THREE days after Art called me on his break to hear me crying because I had all of the signs that my Aunt Flo was on the way, I found out in the early morning that I was pregnant. The nurse practitioner responded to my message on a Sunday with so much excitement, she wanted me in the office first thing Monday morning to have my hormone levels checked. She assured me that this time, we’d be ready to supplement my progesterone. To our surprise over the first few weeks, my levels rose on their own. I should have seen God’s hand in this. SO VERY THANKFUL.  If anyone ever has any questions, you can always reach out to me about this topic.

Well, my goal was to update my blog at the end of every trimester, but…I don’t even have a valid excuse. I’ve just been TIDE! Lol! I am proud to say that I have journaled regularly throughout my pregnancy, and I am glad that I made that a priority. I already love looking back at […]

The Beginning of the Journey to Baby Grey

Personal

Raven emailed me a few months ago inquiring about me photographing her miracle baby’s birth, and her spirit was just so amazing that I KNEW I had to document this life changing day for her. Do you know how amazing your energy has to be for someone to feel so connected to you through email?! That’s RAVEN! Raven told me that she wanted to document this day so that women like her, could see things done this way. She was super intentional and asked me to document as much as possible. Soon after we set everything up, I followed Raven on social media to find that her journey to motherhood hadn’t been the easiest. I found that she’s been an inspiration to sooo many women that are traveling that (sometimes) lonely and dark infertility road. Her posts were all powerful and empowering! Raven remained faithful, changed her lifestyle, and continued on believing…and here we are. Raven may share her own birth story with these images, but I will say from my perspective…it happened QUICKLY. Raven labored at home ALLLLL day with her husband. She texted me on June 4th at 1:42pm “Hey love!! I’m thinking we’re going to have a baby soon.” She said that she’d be in touch with an update. The next text came at 6:38pm. She and her husband were headed to the hospital, and about 35 minutes later – Raven (or her husband) told me that she was being admitted because she was already EIGHT CENTIMETERS DILATED!!! I rushed to the hospital praying that I didn’t miss the actual birth. I kept thinking “WOW! This woman has to be THHHHE strongest!” The fact that she showed up to the hospital basically ready to push was pretty spectacular. Raven’s doula, midwife, and nurses all continuously praised Raven for doing a natural birth this way. They kept saying “This is how you do it!”…Raven labored for less than an hour before it was time to start pushing. She delivered her beautiful baby boy in about 10-15 minutes. I can’t even explain the joy in the room as Raven held her baby for the first time, with her husband beaming over her. All Raven could say was “Thank you, Jesusss! Thank you! He’s really here!” There are no words to describe the honor it was to shoot this birth for the Thomas family. I hope that you all enjoy these photos, and I hope that if you are struggling with infertility that this family’s journey will serve as a little (or BIG) reminder that God has the final say.

I’m pretty sure in the picture on the left, Raven was apologizing for screaming. Lol! Such a sweet soul that she APOLOGIZED about screaming out during her NATURAL laboring.

We all kept fussing and laughing at her for this. Dad was so overwhelmed with emotions after the delivery that he just had to take a second to sit down and take it all in.7 lb 9 oz of perfection! I came back the next day to get some Fresh 48 shots of Nehemiah in all of his newness…

Thank you for looking!

Love and Light,

Farrahn T.

Raven emailed me a few months ago inquiring about me photographing her miracle baby’s birth, and her spirit was just so amazing that I KNEW I had to document this life changing day for her. Do you know how amazing your energy has to be for someone to feel so connected to you through email?! […]

Nehemiah’s Birth Story| Atlanta Birth Photographer

Fresh 48

Art and I are officially one year in!!! I’ve finally gotten wedding pictures hung AND now a blog with wedding pictures! They’re just too good to not have a place on MY actual blog. I will keep this short and sweet since there are SOOO many pictures for you to scroll through. What you’ll find in these photos is exactly what we wanted our wedding to be – A CELEBRATION of love and marriage with our closest family and friends! It was more than I’d ever dreamed for our big day! We can’t thank everyone enough for the love shown then and now!!!

 

Our Wedding – JUNE 9, 2017

I loved our wedding paper goods, and I’m all about the details.I had a first look with my girls.
Writing our own vows was Art’s idea. I love, love, loooove that we did this…although the initial thought caused me a great deal of stress…lol! The words were in my heart though and I actually wrote them the morning of our wedding. Art and I had a first look and I don’t regret it.

We broke tradition but I don’t think that it took away from the moment I walked down the aisle. A LOT of wedding photographers suggest first looks these days because it gives you a moment to SLOOOOW down together, and it’s an opportunity to ensure MORE photos of the bride and groom together. These are some of my favorite photos of us together! Cars honked and people yelled out “Congrats!” or “You guys look so beautiful!” the whole walk! It was pretty sweet!Right after the photo on the left, the music started and so did the ugly crying…and my papa looked at me before we walked out and said “What is you crying for?! Shut up, Farrahn. You’re supposed to be happy!” I responded with “I *sniff* Am *sniff* SO *sniff* Happppy!!!” Happiest tears everrrr!
The vows were my absolute favorite part of the day. Lots of tears and lots of laughter throughout them. Kate Spade Keds. <3 So much love for our parents and siblings! They really are the best!!!
Still bothers me that our grandparents’ (in Heaven) pictures weren’t on this table, but they were definitely in our hearts when we planned this table.The energy was pretty incredible when we walked out to get the party/reception started!
My father in law’s speech was one of my favorite parts of reception. It was the perfect mixture of funny and sentimental!The only three kids allowed to our wedding were the God kiddos. They were the first on the dance floor, but it certainly didn’t stay empty long.Yall. That’s my grandma in the middle of the dance floor! HAHA!I was SO nervous that people wouldn’t dance. Tuh! The most epic/dangerous bouquet toss. My papa is still talking about Art putting his WHOLE head under my dress. I guess he’d never seen this at a wedding before. Luckily, he thinks it’s crazy and funny! Sorry, gramps.

This was without a doubt one of the best days and nights of our lives!

Thanks for looking!!!

Love and Light,

The Thomases

Vendors:

Venue: Piedmont Room at Piedmont Park

Coordinator: Emily Faucette

Photographer: Mecca Gamble

Videographer: Cre8ive Cinema

Tux Rentals: Savvi Formalwear

Wedding Gown: Bride Beautiful

Cake and Cupakes: Cakes by Anna

Florist: Carithers Flowers

Shoes: Badgley Mischka and Kate Spade Keds

Makeup: Kimaris Jones

Robes: Yadi Mercier

All of the other details and decor, I honestly pieced together from sooo many different places, so just shoot me a message if you’re planning!

Art and I are officially one year in!!! I’ve finally gotten wedding pictures hung AND now a blog with wedding pictures! They’re just too good to not have a place on MY actual blog. I will keep this short and sweet since there are SOOO many pictures for you to scroll through. What you’ll find […]

THE Thomas Wedding

Weddings

I have been on a roll when it comes to photographing teachers and their beautiful families! A couple of weeks ago, I met up with The Hannifin Family to photograph their new normal – as a family of four. I have finally completely transitioned into shooting newborn sessions in a more natural way, and I couldn’t love this style more. You’ll find more photos that show connections…like big sister, Piper relaxing on her baby sister’s tummy and just loving on her in her own little two year old way. I’m pretty sure at one point I told them that I was a little jealous of all of the fun that Megan was in for this summer with her two girls (especially with Piper)! I really enjoyed this shoot, and I laughed a lot. I hope that you all treasure these photos for years to come!

 

I have been on a roll when it comes to photographing teachers and their beautiful families! A couple of weeks ago, I met up with The Hannifin Family to photograph their new normal – as a family of four. I have finally completely transitioned into shooting newborn sessions in a more natural way, and I […]

Baby Penny | Newborn Photo Session

Newborn

One of the things that I love the most about my profession (teaching) is that it has brought/continuously brings amazing families into my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the sweetest women. They have supported my business like you wouldn’t believe. They are the first to book family shoots, AND they always bring in other clients. I appreciate them tremendously, and it brings me joy knowing that I am able to give back to them in the form of pictures of their beautiful babies. I am beyond thrilled to have photographed my friend Lora and her family! Lora loves her boys sooooo much, and I really see and feel that in these images.

 

Thanks for looking! Show a little love with a Like, Share, or Comment!

LOVE & LIGHT. XO.

 

 

 

One of the things that I love the most about my profession (teaching) is that it has brought/continuously brings amazing families into my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the sweetest women. They have supported my business like you wouldn’t believe. They are the first to book family shoots, AND they […]

Berry Family | Roswell Family Photographer

Family