My sister, Kim, was just 27 weeks pregnant with her second baby when complications landed her in the hospital last week. Initially, it was up in the air about how long she would be there, but after a couple of days, doctors said she would have to stay for the duration. We all had hoped, with heavy hearts, that she would be there for 8-10 weeks to give the baby a bit more time to develop, but that little lovebug in her belly wasn’t having it. At 1:28 early Friday morning, little Sadie Abigail made her way into the world….feet first! It was immediately evident that like her momma, this girl is going to have some serious spunk.

Weighing just 2 pounds 8 ounces, she was a far cry from her big brother’s weigh in weight of 9 pounds 15 and a half ounces. She is in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the country’s leading neonatal center, so she couldn’t be in better hands. It’s definitely been a scary few days, but yesterday doctor’s removed her breathing tube and Saturday night mommy was able to hold her on her chest for the first time. Doctors can’t yet say what her prognosis is and we won’t know anything for some time. So, everyone is on pins and needles as we wait and see just how strong little miss Sadie really is.

Fortunately, I had already planned to go up to help out on Thursday and was there when my brother-in-law, Eric got the call none of us expected….”The baby is coming.” He immediately rushed off to the hospital to be with Kim. Cal & I didn’t sleep well. It was crazy, but I swear at just 2 1/2 yrs old he knew what was happening and that mommy & baby sis were in trouble.

Yesterday was the hardest day in Kim’s life as she had to leave the hospital and baby Sadie. I expect there will be lots of driving back and forth to Boston over the coming weeks. Cal & I visited with them in the hospital on Saturday and here are a few photos of our new little, and I mean LITTLE, lovebug:

Here Sadie gets a loving touch from mommy. It just kills me how tiny she looks in comparison to my sister’s hand. She could easily fit in the palm of my brother-in-law’s hand.

She was swimming in her diapers and had lots of bruising on her feet from coming out breach. But, like her mommy, she’s a fighter and will no doubt be dancing on those long graceful toes before we know it!

Cal checks out his new little sister with his dad, Eric. He definitely seemed worried about all of the tubes in her.

Cal plays with some window stickers at the hospital. Normally a rambunctious, sweet little boy, he seemed a little lost in his thoughts after visiting with Sadie. So much for a little guy to take in all at once. I think it was hard enough for him to have mommy taken away for a week, but then to have a sick little sister on top of it. It just makes you wonder what’s going through that sweet little head of his. I LOVE this little man!!!

Here’s Cal at home during breakfast. I know I’m biased, but seriously, does it get much cuter than that? It was definitely a different kind of event when Cal was born. Andy & I were both there at the hospital for his arrival and I was in the room when he came out. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed and it gave me such a new sense of respect and awe for my sister. She is an incredible mom and all of the hard work that she & Eric have put in really shines through in this fun, gentle little soul!

Well, we hope to have some more images with Sadie looking a little less dependent on machines in the very near future! And to all of you moms and dads out there, our hats are off to you. It is the hardest, most scary job in the world, but the rewards are incalculable! And when all of the hard work and sacrifice produce beautiful little people like my nephew and niece, well, the world is just a better place for it! So thank you!!!

Inspired by the joy these and other little lovebugs in our lives have brought us we plan to add family lifestyle portraiture to our Bello offerings this summer…stay tuned for more info.