Waiting for Baby Cherry: My Last Pregnancy Photoshoot & All the Feels

Okay you guys, I just HAD to sit down and write about this bc my heart is just overflowing right now. If you saw my latest Instagram post, you know what I'm talking about. These last pregnancy photos with our sweet friend and super talented photographer, Erinn Ortiz, just hit different. Like, I'm looking at them and I can't even believe this is our life. It feels like just yesterday I was finding out I was pregnant with our third little miracle, and now here we are, literally on the brink of meeting her. IM NEXT LETS GO!! hahah, but seriously, I'm begging her to make her grand entrance already!

It’s such a weird mix of emotions, you know? On one hand, I’m so ready to not be pregnant anymore. My back hurts, I can’t sleep, and I’m pretty sure my bladder is the size of a pea. But then I look at these photos, and I get this wave of nostalgia, even before she’s even here. Like, this is it. This is the last time I’ll ever carry a baby in my belly. And that thought just makes me want to cry happy tears, sad tears, all the tears :,)

The Magic of a Pregnancy Photoshoot

I’m so incredibly grateful we decided to do these photos. Every time we’ve had a baby, we’ve tried to capture that moment in time, and it’s always been so special. But this time, knowing it’s our last, it just felt extra important. Erinn is seriously a queen. She just knows how to make you feel comfortable and beautiful, even when you feel like a giant whale hahah. She captures the real us, the real love, the real chaos, and that’s what I love so much about her work.

For this shoot, I just wanted something simple, natural, and full of love. I wanted to remember what it felt like to have her so close, still a part of me, but also so close to being in my arms. We found this spot that just felt so peaceful, and the light was perfect. Tanner was such a good sport, as always. He’s my rock, my hype man, my everything. He just holds me and makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, even with swollen ankles and a belly that feels like it’s going to pop. And seeing him with Stella and Ozzy, knowing they’re about to be big sisters again, it just melts my heart. They’re so excited, and honestly, that’s what makes this whole waiting game so much easier.

All the Feels: Anticipation, Nerves, & Pure Joy

Okay, let’s talk about the waiting game. Oh my goodness, you guys. I swear, the last few weeks of pregnancy are just a different kind of beast. You’re so ready, but also, you’re trying to soak up every last minute of this current chapter. Stella and Ozzy are so excited, they talk about their baby sister constantly. Stella is already planning all the things she’s going to teach her, and Ozzy just wants to hold her and give her all the paci’s. It’s the sweetest thing ever.

But then there’s also this little bit of nerves, right? Like, how are we going to do this with three? Tanner and I joke about it, but deep down, I know we’re going to be amazing. We’ve got this. We’ve learned so much with Stella and Ozzy, and every baby is different, but we’re a team. And I have the best support system in the world, my mom, my sisters, my friends. I honestly couldn’t imagine doing any of this without them. My mom raised me as a single mom, and she is just the strongest, most incredible woman I know. She taught me everything about love and resilience, and I carry that with me every single day.

I’m also just so excited to see their little personalities unfold. Stella is our fiery, independent leader. Ozzy is our sweet, snuggly, funny little wild card. And now, baby Cherry… who is she going to be? What’s she going to look like? What’s her cry going to sound like? I just can’t wait to find out. I’ve been nesting like crazy, getting her little nursery all ready, washing all the tiny clothes. It’s just so surreal.

Embracing the Unknown & Trusting the Process

One thing I’ve learned through all my pregnancies is to just embrace the unknown. You can plan all you want, but babies have their own timeline, their own way of doing things. And that’s okay. It’s part of the magic. I’m trying to just enjoy these last few days, or maybe even weeks, of quiet before our house gets even crazier (in the best way possible, of course!).

I’ve been trying to take a lot of walks, listen to my body, and just relax as much as possible. Tanner has been amazing, picking up all the slack and just being my rock. He’s already such an incredible dad, and I know he’s going to be the best girl dad to three little ladies. Sometimes I just look at him and think, how did I get so lucky? We’ve built such a beautiful life together, and these girls are truly our greatest blessings.

So, here we are. On the edge of a brand new adventure. I’m freakin out a little bit, but mostly, I’m just so excited. I’m ready to meet our sweet baby girl. I’m ready to hold her, to smell her, to kiss her tiny head. I’m ready for the sleepless nights, the endless cuddles, and the pure, unadulterated love that comes with a newborn. It’s going to be messy, it’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be the most beautiful thing in the world. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank you for being on this journey with me, you guys. I love you all sm! Wish us luck! ❤️