Our Sweet Cherry Blossom: Reliving the Day She Arrived Early and Changed Everything

Hey fam! It feels like just yesterday we were waiting for her, counting down the days, and then suddenly, she was here! Cherry decided to make her grand entrance a little ahead of schedule, and honestly, we couldn't imagine it any other way now. Looking back at these disposable camera pics from those first few moments just melts my heart all over again, bc every single second was pure magic. Yesterday was actually her official due date, and it just made me think about how funny life is, how sometimes the best plans are the ones that totally go off script. I wanted to share a little more about that day, bc it was such a whirlwind, and I still get all emotional thinking about it :,)

The Waiting Game & My Gut Feeling

So, with Stella and Ozzy, I felt like I had a pretty good handle on things, you know? Like, I knew what to expect, more or less. But with Cherry, from the very beginning, something just felt different. I kept telling Tanner, “I don’t think she’s gonna wait until her due date.” He’d just smile and be like, “We’ll see, babe.” Hahah, bless his heart, he’s always my calm in the storm. But I just had this deep, deep feeling, like she was ready to join the party sooner. I mean, my body felt different, my energy levels were all over the place (more than usual, even for pregnancy!), and I just had this persistent little voice telling me, “She’s coming early, Lo.” I think as moms, we just have that intuition, don’t we? It’s like our bodies and our babies are having this secret conversation, and sometimes we get to listen in. I’m so glad I listened to that feeling, bc it helped me mentally prepare, even if just a little bit, for the unexpected.

When Things Started to Shift

I remember it so clearly. It was just a regular day, or so I thought. I was doing all the things, chasing Stella and Ozzy around, trying to get some work done, probably making a mess in the kitchen (bc that’s just my life hahah). Then, I started feeling these little twinges. Nothing major, just enough to make me pause. I tried to ignore them at first, bc you know, false alarms are a thing, and I didn’t want to get my hopes up too soon. But they kept coming, slowly but surely, getting a little stronger, a little more consistent. I started timing them on my phone, just casually, not wanting to freak Tanner out just yet. I kept thinking, “Is this it? Is this really happening?” It’s such a surreal feeling, knowing that in a matter of hours, your entire world is about to shift in the most beautiful way possible. I called my mom, bc who else do you call when you’re feeling those first contractions? She’s my rock, always has been, especially after raising me as a single mom. She just has this calm wisdom about her that always makes me feel better. She told me to listen to my body, and that’s exactly what I did.

The Hospital Dash & Tanner's Hype Man Skills

Eventually, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The contractions were getting serious, and I knew it was time. We called my mom to come over and be with Stella and Ozzy, and then Tanner and I were off to the hospital. The car ride felt like forever and five minutes all at once. I was trying to breathe through everything, and Tanner was just being the absolute best hype man, telling me I was doing amazing, holding my hand, reminding me to focus. Honestly, I couldn’t do any of this without him. He’s truly my partner in every sense of the word, and seeing him in those moments, so supportive and loving, just makes me fall in love with him all over again. We got to the hospital, and things moved pretty quickly from there. The nurses were incredible, so kind and reassuring. I remember just focusing on each breath, each wave, knowing that with every one, I was getting closer to meeting our baby girl. It’s such an intense experience, but also so empowering, knowing what your body is capable of. I kept thinking about Stella and Ozzy, and how excited they were to meet their baby sister. That thought really pushed me through the harder moments.

Meeting Our Cherry Blossom

And then, she was here. Just like that. It was so fast, so intense, and then suddenly, this tiny, perfect human was placed on my chest. I just remember that immediate rush of emotion, that overwhelming love that hits you like a tidal wave. She was so small, so fresh, and just absolutely beautiful. All the pain, all the exhaustion, just melted away in that instant. Tanner was right there, tears in his eyes, just as smitten as I was. We just kept staring at her, marveling at her tiny fingers and toes, her little button nose. It’s a moment you can never truly prepare for, even when you’ve done it before. Each baby, each birth, is so unique and special. I remember just whispering, “Hello, Cherry Blossom,” and feeling like my heart was going to burst. It’s a feeling that never gets old, that pure, unconditional love. I couldn’t imagine our family without her now. She just fit right in, like she was always meant to be here, exactly when she arrived.

Disposable Camera Magic: Capturing the Raw Moments

You guys know I love a good disposable camera moment, right? There’s just something so raw and real about them. No filters, no perfect lighting, just pure, unedited life. And for Cherry’s birth, I knew I wanted to capture those first few hours exactly like that. Tanner was amazing, snapping away, even though I know he was probably just as overwhelmed and emotional as I was. Looking at these photos now, they just take me right back. You can see the exhaustion on my face, the pure joy in Tanner’s eyes, and that tiny, perfect little bundle of Cherry. They’re a little blurry, a little grainy, but that’s what makes them so perfect. They’re not staged, they’re not trying to be anything they’re not. They’re just us, in our most vulnerable, most beautiful moments, welcoming our third baby girl into the world. I’m so glad we have these to look back on, bc those first few hours are such a blur, and it’s easy to forget the little details. These photos are a precious reminder of that incredible day.

Life with Three Girls: A Beautiful Chaos

Now, life with three girls is… well, it’s a beautiful chaos, to say the least! Hahah. Stella and Ozzy are absolutely smitten with their baby sister. Stella is such a little helper, always wanting to hold Cherry or bring her a toy. And Ozzy, bless her heart, she just wants to give Cherry all the kisses, sometimes a little too enthusiastically! It’s so sweet to watch their bond grow. Our house is definitely louder, messier, and filled with even more love and laughter than before. There are moments when I feel completely overwhelmed, ngl. Like, how am I going to do all of this? But then I look at their sweet faces, and I remember how lucky I am. Every day is an adventure, a learning curve, and a reminder of how much my heart has expanded. Tanner is still my rock, navigating this new chapter with me, always ready to lend a hand or make me laugh when I need it most. We’re a team, always. And Cherry, our little early bird, she just completed our family in a way I didn’t even know was possible. She’s just the sweetest, calmest little soul, and I love watching her grow and discover the world. It’s truly heaven on earth fr. :,)