18 Jul Introducing Ani Rain | Austin Boudoir Photography

It’s about time for me to introduce the newest addition to my family.

And….It’s a GIRL!

We had a baby girl!  We waited to find out the sex again and I am so glad we did.  We’d hoped and prayed for a little girl to complete our family…of course a boy would’ve been absolutely amazing as well.

Here she is.  Miss Ani Rain…

Photos by Photography by Amber Lee

She’s named after Ani DiFranco, our absolute favorite musician.  I’ve known for about 15 years that if I was ever blessed with a baby girl, her first name would be Ani.  It’s pronounced “Ah-knee”.  It means “beautiful” in Hawaiian.  And her middle name is Rain, short for rainbow.  She is our rainbow baby.  A “rainbow baby” is a baby that is born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss.  In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better.  The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm in comparison.  I lost a baby very early on, in the Summer of 2014.  It was incredibly hard.  I thought I’d never have a successful pregnancy again.  This sweet baby girl is such a blessing.  She’s our “rainbow girl”.

We decorated her nursery with a gender neutral circus theme.  So it was only fitting to throw in some lil’ circus-y props during her photo session with the wonderful Amber Richardson of  Photography by Amber Lee, located in Austin, TX.  She is incredible, if you are looking for a newborn photographer.

Our sweet girl has just been diagnosed with “Silent Reflux” & possibly Colic, so we have been struggling, but we’re hoping the medicine prescribed to her and the little tricks we’ve learned along the way will start helping soon.

My son, Utah, is absolutely in love with his new little sister.  He’d hoped for a girl and said that’s what the baby was the whole time.  His wish came true!

Unfortunately, this time around I have been dealing with some Post-Partum Depression and “Baby Blues”.  I’d always heard the term baby blues, but never knew the real meaning behind it.  I saw my OB-GYN and according to the handout she gave me, I know for sure I have the “Baby Blues”, but I also have a touch of PPD too.

It’s been really scary at times, but I feel like I am finally on the upswing.  My doctor is amazing and very helpful and understanding. I feel for any mother out there that is dealing with these feelings all alone.  I urge them to tell someone…anyone.  Just saying it for the first time, to my amazing friend Katie, was HUGE for me.  I told her even before I told my hubby.  It was so embarrassing and scary to say.  I messaged her on Facebook early one morning.  She immediately began helping me with resources and reassurance.  I am lucky enough to know someone in charge of a postpartum depression organization.  Katie Astoria is the co-founder and President of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas. It’s an amazing resource.  Check it out on Facebook HERE.

If you’re a friend or family member of a brand new mama, check in on them.  Often.  Go see them, even if they don’t invite you over.  Go sit with them while they feed the baby.  Go do their laundry.  Just go do it & don’t wait to be asked.  That was something big for me.  *I* had no idea what I needed, so there’s no way in hell I would know what to ask people to do.

Things are looking brighter for me…I am one of the very lucky ones.  Thanks for all of the love and support, my friends.