Kathleen Sheffer Photography
At the end of July, our little chirping, squeaking bundle of magic joined us on planet earth.
Labor felt like time traveling, getting in a major car accident, then waking up with stars in my eyes and the most precious thing in my arms.
I’m still bewildered by what the female body is capable of, the pain it can endure, and how this little creature and I could work together for the great escape. (Spoiler alert—the magazines I brought did not get read, the playlist I made barely listened to, and the birthing mantras I gave Chris to read me—HA!—tossed as soon as I hit 6 cm).
His arrival was fast and fiery, and since the moment we laid eyes in him, we’ve been counting (and re-counting) his eyelashes (he started with fourteen) and toes (started with ten, still has ten). And watching him breathe; and listening to his little bird noises; and frantically trying to dress his wiggly limbs in the middle of the night; and holding him tight wondering if any parents have ever squeezed their baby *too* tightly.
He’s been loved on by so many aunties, grandparents, and cousins already. And the village of women that has helped me really believe that, yes, we can do this.
Meet Christopher Neils III, named after his dad but nicknamed Tripp. Our smiley, strong, cuddly Leo baby, you are our favorite thing!
My tiny sweets—I’m sitting at the hospital for a follow up blood test, and in six weeks it’s the first time I’ve had a moment to do almost anything. I keep asking dad for photos just in case anything changes during the three hours I will have been away. As badly as I want to keep you this small forever, the next chapter will be just as enchanting.
I love your tiny head peeking out over your dad’s tall shoulders, and how you hiccuped inside my belly and on the outside now too, and how you hold my hand always, and yawn full-body yawns, and that when you first arrived you looked like ET but also a wise old man who has been here before. And I know it’s true, you’ve most certainly been here before, and it’s the privilege of a lifetime to get to do this round with you
We love you forever, Chips ✨
