Posts tagged pregnant
Screenings & SneakPeeks & Scans, Oh My!

In this blog post, I’m sharing context from our journey through pregnancies, why we had chosen *not* to do a genetic screening earlier in this pregnancy, and why we had chosen to have an anatomy scan last week, when I was 22 weeks pregnant.

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Our Nursing Journey: A Reflection, An Ode

Last month, May 2022, marked 3 consecutive years of being pregnant with or nursing my precious firstborn! A major accomplishment I hold dearly. There are times when I have felt my best when nursing my child. And there are times when I have felt my worst. It's a journey full of beautiful highs and challenging lows.

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Shay's Got News...

Our journey through pregnancy, loss, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, & now pregnancy again — it's taught me (still teaching me) SO MUCH. One takeaway? It's true what they say — no two pregnancies are alike! And I am not the same woman.

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Love Letters for Labor

The following 9 love letters for labor are inspired by 9 main personality types as expressed through the Enneagram. Whether you know your Enneagram type or not, you are likely to resonate with one of the love letters below. With each love letter, we’ve included an affirmation and practical steps you can take to overcome any internal barriers that might be holding you back from embracing birth as the beautiful, natural process that it is.

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Merry Self-Care Christmas!

Join us in this year's Self-Care Christmas — the time of year when we gift ourselves an extra dose of happiness and healthy decision-making! Between all the winterizing, working against the darkness, and holiday prep, let us not forget to give ourselves the care we deserve. And, on that note, Merry Christmas to all — because when we take better care of ourselves, our people and our world feel it, too.

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10 Little Stocking Stuffers

What's the countdown to Christmas!? *Cue holiday cheer!* As you're prepping to stuff stockings (the best part of holiday gifts IMHO), we've got a list of 10 little goodies you might consider. They’re shared here with easy click-to-cart buttons. Let the stuffing begin!

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Our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide

It’s that beloved (but also….sort of dreaded?) time of year — holiday shopping season! Let’s breathe in relaxation…breathe out holiday stress…and open the Sprout and Blossom Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! A one-stop shop to improve your own wellbeing and that of your lucky gift recipients. *Cue happy Santa dance.*

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Preparing for Your Postpartum Journey | Sprout and Blossom Birth

When you’re in the throes of pregnancy, it’s easy to overlook the importance of postpartum planning. We’ll walk you through some advance preparations that will lend to a smoother (and more enjoyable!) postpartum experience.

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Black Friday Deals with a Mission | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer

Snag my last openings for winter births, milk baths, and in-home sessions with these Black Friday Deals! I only have a few spots remaining this winter and they are filling up quickly. 

The best part of the deal? Not only are you saving money, but the amount you save will be donated to Shiphrah Birthing Home in the Philippines.

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Waiting for Baby Don | Grand Rapids Maternity Photographer

This couple was so thrilled to be anticipating the arrival of their first child. Zarah was absolutely glowing during this entire session - and the late afternoon golden light on UPLB's campus was simply stunning. Green and blue are my favorite colors, so naturally, these photos make me so happy! 

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Annie and Arie's Floral Milk Bath | Grand Rapids Baby Photographer

I can't get enough of this session. I burst into tears multiples times while editing these photos. Maybe that's because I've known Annie so long and was so full of joy to hear her birth story and spend time with her and little Arie. It might also be because of the anticipation for my own little one. I'm 16 weeks pregnant, emotions are high, and my heart is so full. 

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