Motherhood Series 2

The second mother in my motherhood series is a wonderful woman, Lacey, that was in several of my art classes at Bethel College. We bonded over clay projects, sculpting, and painting for the few years that we overlapped in school. Since Bethel Lacey has continued her beautiful art and photography, has started teaching and started her beautiful family. Lacey has a beautiful story that she is so kindly sharing on our blog today!

Lacey

Juniper would love it if she could spend the whole day without having to get dressed.

​Meet Juniper Mae. She is almost 7 months old. If Juniper could talk she would tell you that she loves anything with buttons to push, papers that can be crumpled, and eating pickles. Juniper would also tell you she does not like getting dressed, being put in her car seat, or being on or near grass. Juniper might tell you that she prefers not to have her hair done or wear hair bows, but that she loves the attention she received when she is all dolled up.
            Little miss Juniper is a playful, loving baby. She gets snuggles from everyone, even when she would rather be rolling around on the floor. Juniper loves to play with her daddy. He does things that I, Juniper’s mommy, consider “unsafe”. Like throwing Juniper up in the air, being “tossed” onto the bed, and letting her lounge on the couch.
            Becoming Juniper’s mom has been an unexpected journey. I struggled through infertility and treatment, and then unexpectedly got pregnant 2 weeks after a hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and myomectomy. Juniper’s birth did not go as I had hoped, and her condition at birth sent her to a NICU 45 minutes away from me. Once we were home I struggled with post-partum depression and PTSD. I was miserable, and broken. The effort to heal from my mental illness almost caused me to miss out on the joy that is my daughter’s life.
            Once I was able to seek help the gloom and doom cleared away slowly. I was very blessed to have support all around me from my husband, mother, mother-in-law, OBGYN, and my dear friends. I do wonder if I will ever fully heal. Even now, 7 months later, I often process the day were we almost lost our precious daughter.
            I refused to miss anymore moments because I am grieving. I savor each moment I spend with Juniper. I soak in her cuddles and sloppy wet kisses. I laugh with her as she splashes in the bathtub. Looking into the future I cannot wait to see her take her first steps, read her first book, and explore the wondrous world around her.

Juniper definitely got my skin tone. She is very fair so we wear a lot of sunscreen and adorable big floppy hats.

Juniper was born with lovely blue eyes, as she has gotten older we have wondered if they will turn brown. Right now they are an amazing blue/green hazel.

Indestructible books are the best. Juniper tries really hard to tear them, but she can’t!

As a photographer I love capturing little details. Juniper has the pudgiest hands, and this quilt was made by my grandmother’s aunt.

Roly-poly thigh, a gummy smile, and silly pigtails. I love my baby.

I get her sweet bows from Little Poppy Co. I would love to make them myself, but I don’t have them time!