Jaycari | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photograph

“On August 17, 2020, we found out we were expecting another sweet baby boy on 4/26/21. We were thrilled to be expanding our family and promoting our 10 year old son to a big brother. Throughout my pregnancy, I was labeled to be a high risk pregnancy considering I would be giving birth at the age of 35. However, with each exam I took, I passed them with flying colors. As each month passed by, I impatiently waited to feel our baby move for our son to experience feeling his baby brother. I only felt butterflies here and there the entire time which seemed odd. As I got closer to the third trimester, I felt like something was off since I was still not feeling my baby move as much as I should be and my belly looked smaller than I expected. As I went to each  check up, I kept being told that everything was progressing as it should, so I told myself that these thoughts I was having were all in my head. 

A little after 7 months, I decided to get checked by my OBGYN to be certain nothing was wrong as by now I should be feeling obvious kicks. I was seen immediately and failed the stress test at the office. I went from thinking it was going to be a quick confirmation that it was all in my head, to being sent to labor and delivery for further analysis. Once all the tests were complete, we were told the scariest thing any parent could hear. Due to a placental deficiency, our baby was not getting the necessary fluids and nutrients he needed. He was at the 3rd percentile growth rate and had a 80-90% survival rate. Although he was 28 weeks and 3 days, he was measuring around 26 weeks and only weighing 1 lb and 5 ounces. All I could think of at the moment was “did I do something wrong?” “was this my fault?”. The doctor reassured me that this was internal and not anything I could have controlled. 

We delivered our baby boy the next day via C-Section and immediately began our NICU Journey. No one could have ever prepared us for what was to come. You end up having so many emotions and thoughts while you are trying to transition to your new reality. You feel robbed from your last trimester, no more short hospital stay and leaving with your baby, no more maternity pictures, no more baby shower, not being able to hear your baby’s first cry due to needing an oxygen tube, not being able to touch or hold your baby due to how fragile a preemie can be and needing to be in an incubator, not being able to kiss your baby from having to wear a mask and not being able to see your baby’s face from all the tubes. You just feel overwhelmed, scared, and end up in complete shock. 

During our stay, everything sounded terrifying and your baby goes through the toughest challenges with delays in lung growth, heart PDAs, nutrition goals for proper weight gain, ensuring there are no brain bleeds, their stomach is digesting as it should, their vision is maturing as it should, getting hernia surgeries, and learning to bottle feed. 

After 104 long days in the NICU, our son now weighs 6 lbs 11.9 ounces, has learned to breath without a ventilator and only needs low flow oxygen, his stomach now digests food as it should, his heart PDA has closed, he began bottle feeding, has had his hernia surgery and his eyes are very close to maturing. We are so proud of our son Jaycari Jace Jordan for being the biggest warrior! He is the strongest tiny human I know and he continues to amaze us each day. We are grateful for all the outstanding nurses and specialists that have made our sons stay easier and look forward to finally hearing that special word - “Discharge”.  To all the preemie moms and dads out there, you will get through this! Trust your little warrior, they are stronger than we could have ever imagined. “

Update on Sully | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Sully is growing up!  I can't believe this previous 28 weeker that I photographed last June is now 16 pounds!  He was just 2 pounds 6 ounces at birth, and here he is now!  He might just be my most handsome NICU baby!  If you missed his NICU portrait session, check it out here or click the button below.

“Sully is doing great. He is weighing in around 16lbs now. He is eating three meals a day, rolling over, sitting up, and trying his best to walk.”

I got to see Sully this fall at an event Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital where I was able to photograph him once again.  Pierce's Project hosted a Germ Free Santa Session for past NICU babies, and sweet little Sully showed up!  Can you even handle how cute he is in his little elf outfit?  His parents are going to have their work cut out for them when the girls start chasing him!  

Update on Lincoln | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Lincoln was the first NICU portrait session that I did almost a year ago!  I was so excited to share my gift of photography with a NICU family, and even more thrilled with the experience when I met his parents.  They are the sweetest couple and they were so appreciative of my complimentary services.  I love being able to incorporate my artistic craft with my love for the preemies and nursing career.

Here's an update from Lincoln's mom:

"Lincoln is 10 months (7 months adjusted) already. He's over 15 pounds. He's crawling around everywhere, sitting up on his own, and just recently pulling himself up to stand! It's so amazing to see him grow & develop. (He still receives PT once a week and speech once every other week.)  He is just full of personality and I'm so grateful to be his mommy. ❤"

Update on Rhett | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Rhett was born in July of 2016 at 28 weeks.  He weighed 1 pound 9 ounces.  I was lucky enough to photograph him during his stay in the NICU by offering his parents complimentary NICU portraits.  Pierce's Project arranged for Rhett's mom to have her hair and makeup done for the session, and she looked stunning!  (See Rhett's NICU session here.) . While I do follow many NICU patients on social media and could see that he is doing great, I caught up with Rhett's mom to request a personal update on Rhett's progress since going home.

“Rhett is doing so well! He is up to 12 pounds, rolls over, and is a total mama’s boy. He is a great eater and sleeper, and he loves being home with his parents and two dogs. He is thriving! He is so much fun and so happy! ”

Rhett | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

“Complete terror and panic set in as we rushed to the hospital. We cried and prayed that everything would be alright.”

Courtney and her husband tried for some time to have a baby.  When they found out they were pregnant, they "were over the moon excited!"  Courtney felt great throughout the pregnancy.  She eventually started having issues with elevated blood pressure, that evolved into severe preeclampsia.  On Sunday, July 17th, Courtney experienced a placental abruption and sweet little Rhett was delivered by c-section on July 20th.  He weighed just 1 pound 6 ounces.

Here is the rest of Rhett's story, as told by his mom: 

"We were so relieved to hear him cry when he was born. The whole experience was so surreal. The doctors and nurses took Rhett into the NICU right after delivery before I could even see him. Once he was stable and I was out of recovery, my husband and I went to the NICU where I finally got to see my newborn.

He was perfect and beautiful, but so tiny. I was terrified. The beeps of the machines, all the wires and lights... It was so scary.

He has been making steady progress and is already 8 weeks old.  He is breathing mostly on his own and weights 3 and a half pounds already. He's growing stronger everyday!

If I could go back in time, I'd tell myself its all going to be ok, he will grow fast and even though it doesn't seem like it, this wont last forever."

Sully | 28 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

“Although the road to recovery will be rough, and a journey to say the least, Sully is a miracle and we can’t wait to bring our boy home.”

Sully's story is a beautiful one!  His mom was told years ago that she was unable to have children.  Well that changed last winter.  Sully's parents found out they were expecting on the night before Christmas Eve.  As his dad said, "What a wonderful Christmas Miracle!"

Sully surprised his mom and dad with an early entrance into this big world.  He decided to come earthside early in May at just 28 weeks and 2 pounds 6 ounces.  He's not the smallest baby I've seen, but to most - that is so so tiny!  He has spent the majority of his time on CPAP, which you'll see in the images below.  He's working on feeding and getting out of the NICU.  His parents cannot wait to have him back home with them!  Here is a glimpse into the neonatal intensive care unit and all that comes with it...

Lincoln | 28 Weeks | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

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“My husband and I always knew we wanted to have a family. It took us longer than expected to get pregnant. We were ecstatic when we found out we were going to have a baby!

I had a normal healthy pregnancy until February 6th when I woke up in a puddle of my amniotic fluid. I was only 21 weeks and 5 days pregnant. We went to the hospital where I stayed on bedrest for 47 days. I went into labor when Lincoln was 28 weeks old. He weighed 1 pound 15.8 ounces, and he was 13.25 inches long at delivery.

He is so precious and strong. We are so fortunate to have him in our lives. ”

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When I first walked in the family room at Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital, I knew Lincoln is very very loved.  His mom and dad were just beaming with excitement for me to meet him.  Despite his early delivery, he is doing well and growing.  His parents are so thankful for my donation of NICU portraits, but I'm so thankful to have met such sweet parents like them.  They are so kind and gracious, and both full of joy for their new baby boy!  I cannot wait to see how big and handsome their sweet boy gets!

Make sure to check out the gift Lincoln's mom received from her best friend!  She received it while on bedrest after her water broke at just 21 weeks.  The necklace is called the "giving key" and given to someone who needs it.  Once they meet someone who needs the key more than they do, they pass it along to that person to help them through their journey.  What a beautiful gift!  I might have shed a tear when she told me the story!  One of Lincoln's photos was even published on the cover of a journal.  Click here to see it!

Here are some images of Lincoln's first ever portrait session...