Flower for Cassandra, the photographer (c) Cassandra Hamilton

I love great photos. I love great photos of my family. However, I have a husband who doesn’t like to be photographed… and that can be a problem.

I try to respect his privacy and not photograph him too much, but he and Kyle are too handsome not to want to snap pictures of them all the time!

I’ve been pretty lucky these last few weeks. David has put up with me setting up three photoshoots! Yesterday was our last one with Cassandra Hamilton, Professional Photographer Extraordinaire! She did a newborn photoshoot and I can’t wait to see those, but for now, she posted pictures of my maternity photos from end of April, 11 days before Cathryn was born.

Lucky to have a supportive husband and lucky to have a fun and active little boy.

Hope you enjoy Cassandra’s blog post: http://www.cassandrahamiltonphotography.com/blog/baby-bump-on-the-pier/

Kyle sitting on his sister! (c) Cassandra Hamilton

Kyle's favorite thing to do these days... throwing rocks! (c) Cassandra Hamilton

Cathryn Noemi Sayoko Meglasson

We’ve finally decided on her name.

Cathryn Noemi Sayoko Meglasson!

Uncle Eric suggested the name for Grandma’s baby pool and David especially liked the names “Cate” and “Catie.”

I, on the other hand, really like Noemi (“no-EM-ee“) or “Emi” for short. It’s Japanesey sounding and original…at least in the US. It’s more common in Italy and Spain. Noemi also is similar to my one-of-three middle names, Noelani. And I love the name of Kelsey’s old housemate, “NoyNoy,” Thai for “little little”, which is similar to NoeNoe! Of course I probably have the tone all wrong, as usual!

We also gave her my grandma/her great-grandma’s name, Sayoko to honor her strong sense of family and self-less, generous, and gentle personality. David got along well with Grandma and used to take her to get her haircut–the ladies at the local salon to this day, still think David is her grandson and totally ignore me! Grandma is certainly missed, but we hope Cathryn will carry on some of her qualities!

I must say, I think we did well, considering we had to follow a few of David’s strict rules, such as no names that start with a vowel, nothing he hasn’t heard before (okay, technically he didn’t state that, but whenever I found an original name, he quickly dismissed it.) and we both had a preference for short names.

Okay, okay, so Cathryn Noemi Sayoko Meglasson isn’t exactly short, but our family does not historically have short names and we’re just carrying on the tradition!

Baby Cathryn, we hope you learn to love your name like we do!

I picked out a couple brunch recipes intending to have everything cooked by the time Kyle woke up. But of course that didn’t happen. It was better–David and Kelsey started in the kitchen first! And Tessa prepared Kyle’s breakfast, while the three of us finished cooking the quiches, bacon/cheese/onion biscuits and fruit salad. Woo hoo! David even bought champagne and OJ for mimosas! Too bad we ate everything before I could take a picture!

Getting some sunlight--Poor girl is a little jaundiced

My milk came in last night and she ate more and peed/pooped more today, so hopefully this will go away on its own! Otherwise a trip to the pediatrician will be in order sooner, rather than later.

I promise, we’re still working on her name… in between David playing video games and me taking photos and blogging. Hmm… maybe we need to take our computers away for a day. I bet we’d be more productive!

I think our family is working harder than us on finding a name. Grandpa went online yesterday evening until 11:30pm, calling out names from a website while we sat around and “yay or nay’d” them. Funny how David and I thought it’d be easier to come up with a girl name.

Our deadline is Monday, so we’ll definitely have something by then!

Day 2 was eat, eat, eat and recovery for Mama.

Day 3 was a nice combination of both for Baby, so Mama got to catch up on some sleep, picture taking and blog posting!

Amos has taken over the role of protector/guard dog and has been by my side since we came home from the birth center. He even skips sitting under Kyle’s high chair at meals and comes upstairs to sit by my side.

My constant companion since Baby was born.

Amos, in the roll of protective eldest brother…

Amos just making sure things are okay with the little one!

Aunty Kelsey and the grandmas take Kyle out for some morning bubble blowing. He blew his first bubble today on his own!

Morning activities--Kyle learned to blow bubbles today!

Holding the wand directly up to his mouth, he breathes in and out to produce a bubble or two… The picture below is the result of this technique.

Who needs a bubble wand when you can use your mouth!

Just blowing bubbles into the grass...

While everyone else was having fun outside, Baby and I stayed inside (I’m stuck on the second floor for most of the day since I have to limit my stair climbing for a few days.). She’s a mover, just like she was in the womb…

Body Movin'--just like she did in the womb!

The highlight of Baby’s day–meeting her Aunty Tessa and Uncle Nate for the first time!

Meeting Uncle Nate and Aunty Tessa for the first time!

The Aunties!

Kyle’s evening activity (one of a bazillion): Coloring with Grandma Cec!

Grandma Cec Keeping Kyle Busy!

Thank you Asatos and Grandma Cec for all your help!! We’re doing well and recovering nicely all because of our generous families! They’ve given so much of their time and resources to cook our meals, watch and care for Kyle, run errands (the ibuprofen is a life saver!) and hold and love Baby. Maybe we won’t leave my parents’ house afterall… hahaha, wouldn’t they just love that?

Stretching out on day 3

And to escape from your swaddle!

Escaping out of the swaddle. She seems to favor turning to her right side.

Although you opened your eyes right away after you were born, they’ve been closed a lot since then. I know you need your beauty rest, but we caught you today finally with your pretty eyes open… and your dukes up!

Put your dukes up!

I’m sure we’ll get to know more of your likes and dislikes in the next few weeks! You’re a sweetie and we’re so glad you’ve joined our Meglasato family!

Baby Girl M's day 2--Who doesn't love chubby cheeks?

Just wanted to post some pics that were taken soon after we got home from the birth center! Of course I had to have everyone pose with Baby Girl M. One of these days we’ll get Kyle to sit still long enough to get a picture with his sis…

Although she doesn’t have a name just yet except for “Sis” from Kyle or “No-namae” from Grandpa (Namae means name in Japanese.), we hope to come up with one soon.

Baby Girl Meglasato! (15 hrs old)

We were home from the Puget Sound Birth Center in Kirkland, WA before Kyle got up. He came downstairs and for the first few seconds was interested to see what all this baby business was about. Then got distracted/bored and went to eat breakfast. A new baby sister can’t compete with bananas, eggs, Portuguese sausage and toast!

Meglassons first family of four picture!

At only 25.5 hrs old at this point, she’s a good eater and sleeper so far! Thanks in large (who am I kidding–in HUGE part) to our families for taking care of Kyle and us, so we can focus on Baby! Both Grandmas are spoiling us with meals in bed and keeping Kyle entertained.

Happy Birthday, Sis/No-namae/Baby Girl! We love you and are so happy you’ve joined our family finally!

Warning–if you’re squeamish, this video might not be for you since it’s of my big belly!

Today, my midwife said I’m 3 cm dilated and she’s still pretty low. That’s progress! I just feel like it could be another week or two, rather than any minute, which was how I felt when David wasn’t here.

Last Saturday, I booked Cassandra Hamilton to take some maternity shots. I know we’ve been doing a lot of photoshoots lately, but I guess I just don’t want to miss anything. And I regret not doing newborn shots for Kyle. I have some of pictures I really like of David and Kyle, but not many with me in them, so I thought that justified spending a little bit of money for photos I will love forever.

Kyle being extra sweet and handing his mama a flower (c)Cassandra Hamilton

Cassandra is an awesome photographer–she has a creative eye and is extremely patient with kids! These are just a preview and I can’t wait to see the rest of the photos–maternity and our future newborn photos of Baby Girl!

Maternity Photos at Des Moines Marina by Cassandra Hamilton