Thursday, February 23, 2012

Nolan Gray

This sweet boy. There is such a story to his little life. He is the second son of my best friend Ashly. She was pregnant with him during one of the most difficult times anyone could go through. Her husband Ricky's father was fighting brain cancer. The emotional upheaval for them of watching him fight, and then lose, this battle is something I can't put into words. Ricky was so close to his dad, as were his two sisters and his mom. His dad was even the best man in him and Ashly's wedding. Little Nolan was born two months after his grandfather passed away. He will never know him here on earth, but I can't even imagine what a beautiful meeting there will be in Heaven someday. 

As if that's not story enough to his life so far, Ashly went into labor at 34 weeks. They tried to stop it, and sent her home, only to have her go back into labor less than 24 hrs later. Nolan was born January 11, 2012. He was due February 20th. He spent the first several weeks of his life in the hospital. But he was a little fighter, and did awesome. His first name means Victorious Champion. His middle name is the brain cancer color, in remembrance of his Pop.  I was privileged to take newborn photos of Nolan when he came home from the hospital. These are just a few of my favorite ones. 

His Pop's baseball glove. 





There is such a sweetness to Nolan. He is so precious, so lovable. From the first time I met him in the hospital I could just feel that there is something special about him. Tears came to my eyes as I walked in and saw him with all the breathing devices and i.v.'s strapped onto him. He was here. Way too soon, but hanging in there like a champ. It was like his arrival marked the end to a chapter of difficulty, tears, and goodbyes that no one should have to say, and the beginning to a chapter of innocence, baby coos, and new life. So bittersweet. Life will never be the same for this precious family. 

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