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. “

Declan | 32 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photograph

“We were very excited to find out we were expecting! Our pregnancy was pretty smooth, just your normal aches and pains, but that all changed at our 31 week appointment. I had elevated blood pressure that day and by that night my blood pressure was dangerously high. I was admitted that night and was told I would be staying until we had our baby. On Easter we kept failing our NST and the MFM and OBGYN agreed it was time for baby to make his entrance. We tried to labor naturally but his little heart didn’t like that so I was taken for an emergency c-section. Our little man come out crying which was the most beautiful thing, he was rushed out right away to make sure everything was okay. Our NICU stay has not been easy but it is such a blessing to see our little man growing and meeting all these special milestones right in front of our eyes. Moms and Dads enjoy all your snuggles and don’t be afraid of all the wires and tubes. Let your emotions out it’s okay.”

Jonathan | 27 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photograph

I managed to meet Jonathan when I was photographing other families in the NICU, and it happened to be his discharge day! He got to go home to be with his family and is now officially a NICU graduate! GO JONATHAN!

Lennox | 34 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photograph

“We first learned that we were expecting Lennox in October 2020. Excited doesn’t even describe the feeling! He was due June 22, 2021 but because of decreased fetal movement the doctors made the call to induce me at 34 weeks. Thank goodness they did because nine hours into my induction my placenta detached from the uterine wall and I was rushed to the OR for an emergency c-section. The peace of mind I have now knowing that Lennox is doing so well and coming home soon makes the whole experience one to remember!”

Christian | Sitter Session Portraits | Charlotte Newborn Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Scotland | Newborn Portraits | Charlotte Newborn Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Fitz | Newborn Portraits | Charlotte Newborn Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Tristin | 30 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

Tristin

30 Weeks

3 pounds 4 ounces

Just as his parents were preparing for his baby shower, Tristin surprised them with a speedy arrival much earlier than they had anticipated. Since he was about 10 weeks early, he earned himself a stay in the NICU to do some more growing and to develop a few more skills before leaving the hospital and heading home. Since his NICU admission he has proven to be quite a little fighter and is making great strides in his development—no longer needing an IV and breathing mostly without support. The snuggles and skin-to-skin time are surely helping both Tristin and parents to adjust and to thrive. Just look at those smiles!

“I found out I was pregnant when I was 5 weeks (in June).  I had just graduated from the University of South Carolina and  just received a job here in Charlotte at Charlotte Latin School. I was terrified and had no clue what I was going to do. I had no other choice but to make the most of my situation and my pregnancy. Fast forward to December, I was preparing for my baby shower to be on December 7th. On December 1st, at about 3:30 am, I began having sharp pains in my stomach. I honestly thought I had food poisoning from Thanksgiving. I could not sleep and was in excruciating pain. I finally decided to go to the hospital around 7 because I hadn’t felt a lot of movement along with my stomach pain. I got there and they told me I was 4 cm dilated. They gave me medicine to stop it, however, the meds did not work. Next thing you know, they told me I was 7-8 cm dilated and my baby was coming right then. My boyfriend and I looked at each other and didn’t know what to do. Tristin Joshua Lewis was born on 12/1/19 at 9:16 am. He weighed 3 pounds  4 ounces. All I could do was cry because he was so small. He was transported to Novant Presbyterian right after he was born. He is now 3 pounds 6.7 ounces. He is breathing on his own (room air trials) for 18 hours of the day. He had is picc line removed and he is done with all fluids he was receiving. He is a fighter! He’s doing everything he’s supposed to be doing and I couldn’t be more proud of my little trooper. Being a young parent is not easy. Being a parent already is not easy, but I wouldn’t trade this feeling for the world. Tristin lights up my world and never fails to put a smile on my face. He is my SONshine! Babies are blessings. I am beyond thankful to have Tristin in my life!”

Josephine | Studio Newborn Session | Charlotte Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Josephine snoozed through her dreamy newborn session. She mirrored the peaceful demeanor of her lovely parents. I adore accessorizing little girls with dainty headbands. With sweet little newborns, it doesn’t take much accessorizing to create a beautiful feminine photograph. Also, as you can see swaddling babies does not have to limit access to their sweet fingers and toes—those are some of the best parts of newborn photos!

What are your favorite accessories for little girls?

Mallory | Newborn Session | Charlotte Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

And then there were four—four girls, that is. Mallory is the newest addition to this crew of little ladies. I adore this family. It’s been a blessing to photograph all four of these girls and to capture each of their individual personalities. I know I am in for a fun time when they book a session, and I really appreciate how they trust my vision for each of their sessions. I must add—it is such a treat when I see that they’ve printed and displayed my images all around their home! Mallory’s youngest older sister did a Baby Plan with me, so I’ve been able to photograph each one of these girls in her milestone photos. There’s something so special about getting to know families through photographing them over time.

Look at how well these girls love their newest little sister!

Ava | 4 Month Session | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

This little lady with the captivating smile and full head of hair is Ava! Is she not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Also, I don’t blame you if you’re currently searching online for her outfit in your size—can you say timeless elegance?! While we are just starting Ava’s baby plan, I’ve gotten to know her family a bit already because Miles, one of her two big brothers was also on a Baby Plan of his own! Let me tell you, this family is so much fun! They are easygoing and just wonderful in front of the camera.

Their mama is not only sweet as pie and raising some serious cuties, but she is also Dr. Haberle from Metrolina Dermatology. If you’re looking for a comprehensive dermatology practice in the Charlotte area, I cannot recommend one more highly than Metrolina. Just take a peek at Dr. Haberle’s accolades and I bet you won’t disagree with me! From skin cancer screenings and Mohs procedures to microdermabrasion and chemical peels, this office can handle all of your dermatological needs.

Okay, back to sweet baby Ava. This session was all about baby girl. It was so much fun to focus on Ava and all things girly and sweet during this session. Pearls, bows, and lace all made an appearance in her portraits. Every girl likes to play a little dress up now and again, right?

Emery and Nora | 32 Week Preemie Twins | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina | Krista Gantt Photography

Emery and Nora

32 Weeks • 3 Pounds 7 Ounces

“Twins do not run in our families, so we were shocked to hear we were pregnant with spontaneous twin girls.

The pregnancy was going great with no complications until week 30. My blood pressure started to rise but the doctors kept telling us that everything looked great and we could expect to delivery closer to 36-38 weeks.

Week 32 hit and we learned I had severe preeclampsia and fluid on my lungs. When we went to the hospital we were told the goal was to stay pregnant for at least 2 more weeks, but as more tests were done, the goal changed to staying pregnant 2-3 days and ultimately our twins would be born immediately.

We had the twins via emergency c-section less than 24 hours after going to the nurse triage for what we thought was a simple checkup. It has been a hard road for me as the mom because my body clearly failed the girls and couldn’t carry them any longer, but thanks to our faith in the Lord and the greatest friends and family, we’ve stayed strong and are determined to bring home 2 healthy girls as soon they are ready!”

Morgan | 31 Week Preemie | Charlotte, North Carolina Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

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Morgan

Born at 31 weeks, weighing 3 pounds 14 ounces

“Morgan was born at 31 weeks due to my uterus rupturing unexpectedly, causing me to have an emergency c section. It was a very scary and very painful morning! Never did we expect our baby to come early! We did not know the gender of the baby. We already have a little girl and we were so excited when my husband announced that it was a girl! My original due date was 10/25, Morgan came on 8/25. She is now almost 8 weeks old. She had a rough start because she had pnuemothorax causing her to have 2 chest tubes. Though I feel like we are living in GroundHog's day, time does seem to be passing quickly. Every day is a challenge since we also have a 2 year old at home that we are taking care of as well while also wanting to be at the hospital as much as possible. Since being in the hospital, I now know way more than I should know about babies! We have met so many great nurses that have really become friends. At 5 weeks, a baby was placed next to Morgan and quickly we become friends with that family. The other mom, Jackie, and I now rock our babies everyday while we sit and chat. We think Morgan and baby Nolan will be lifelong friends!! Morgan is doing great and getting stronger everyday, we sure hope that she is out soon and comes home to us soon!”

Evan is ONE | Charlotte, North Carolina Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Just like that, our baby boy is one!

The progress over these last 12 months is amazing! Our sweet baby boy came into this world a little small for his gestational age, but he plumped up. He’s meeting all of his developmental milestones, talking, walking, and doing so many fun things. We are having fun with him and can’t wait to see what the rest of our time with him holds.

When I was trying to come up with ideas of monthly photos, I honestly had a lot of options in mind. Too many to choose from! I settled on these three because I liked the crib view, but I also wanted us to be a part of the photos too. You know, to show his size compared to ours. Some months we were a little behind, but looking at all of these together is just amazing! It also makes me a little sad to see how fast he’s growing.

Now, I need to come up with an idea of yearly photos that we can maintain but also show his growth. What have you done for annual photos of your baby? Share your ideas with me in the comments below!

Savannah Sitter Session | Charlotte, NC Baby Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Audrey hit the streets of Savannah, Georgia for her sitter session. We strolled along the beautiful streets near the picturesque squares full of gorgeous greenery, landscaping, and architecture. Even in the hustle and bustle of busy Saturday morning crowds, we were able to capture some beautiful images of Audrey. The perfectly manicured parks, trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, and spanish moss make Savannah, Georgia a dream location for a photographer!

Black and White Newborn Photos | Charlotte Newborn Photographer | Charlotte, NC | Krista Gantt Photography

Neutral Nursery Inspiration | Charlotte Newborn Photographer | Boy Nursery Ideas

I am excited to share Evan's nursery with you today, and can't wait to share him with you very soon! Today is my due date, so it seemed like the perfect day to finally reveal the nursery. I am waiting on a few book shelves, but it is mostly complete. 

When I first started dreaming up this nursery, I knew it had to be white.  Call me boring, but I love an all white room. The light bounces off the walls and instantly increases its size!  I wasn't quite sure what direction I would go after choosing white walls, but I knew I wanted to stay away from the typical baby blues and keep it nice and neutral. I wanted to incorporate some greenery and plants, so I knew I would also be bringing in earthy colors to tie it all together. I wanted to stay away from a theme, but it turns out that smiling sloths, llamas, and pandas are pretty cute.

Overall, it's simple but it's neutral enough that our baby boy can grow into it over the next few years. The wall art can easily be changed and we can incorporate any colors we want since white is so easy to work with. It's also pretty gender neutral if you're looking for ideas for a baby girl nursery. 

Let me know if you have any questions, and make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think of our bright, airy boy nursery.

SLOTH PRINT: Home Goods | FERN PRINTS: World Market | BASKET: World Market | OWL: Target | FAUX PLANT: Hobby Lobby | GLOBE: Hobby Lobby | SIDE TABLE: Home Goods | ROCKER: Amazon | CURTAINS: Marshalls

WOOD NAME SIGN: Etsy - Creating Happyness

DRESSER: Buy Buy Baby | ROCKER: Amazon | COWHIDE OTTOMAN: World Market | FAUX FIDDLE LEAF FIG: Amazon

DOG STUFFED ANIMAL: Cuddle + Kind

CLOCK: Target | ZEBRA: World Market | VASES: Hobby Lobby | AMPERSAND: Target | HONEYCOMB SHELVES: Handmade by Father-In-Law

MOBILE: Bella Bloom Kids | LLAMA AND PANDA CANVAS: Home Goods | CRIB: Pottery Barn | CRIB SHEET: Spearmint Love

Newborn Baby Girl, Charlee | Charlotte, North Carolina Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

I met Charlee on a beautiful spring day.  One of my favorite parts about meeting her was the drive down a long dirt road to her house.  Most homes I visit in the Charlotte area are in neighborhoods with homes side by side, but Charlee's home is at the end of a gravel road without a neighbor in sight.  I always grew up in a neighborhood, so being away from the city is always refreshing to me.

Charlee was born weighing a dainty 5 pounds 9 ounces.  She did wonderful at her in-home newborn session and is such a sweet baby. Her big brother is still getting used to not being the star of the show, but I think he secretly loves his baby sister.  

Newborn Baby Girl, Charlee | Charlotte, North Carolina Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Charlee came to join her big sister Madison in February of this year.  She rocked her newborn session and I couldn't be happier with the results!  What do you think?  She has a head full of hair and looks so much like her big sister, Madison.  I just can't even handle how sweet Madison is holding her little sister. 

Charlee's neutral grey nursery with pink accents was the perfect backdrop for her family photos. If you know me, you know I'm all about white, ivory, and blush, especially when it comes to newborn photography.  A little grey never hurts either!  

Update on Jack | 23 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

Jack's mom sent me an update on his progress!  If you missed him on the blog, click below to see what he looked like shortly after he was born at 23 weeks.  Then read below to see what his mom had to say about his progress.

“Jack is doing well! He has been up and down on his feedings. He gets very close to full feedings and then his gut needs a break so we start back very low. He does show cues of hunger and rooting and LOVES taking a bottle. He is 2200 grams now! We are working towards him being in a crib, but don’t want to overload him with a ton of work to do on his own. He is down to low flow cannula on .0125 Os. He is not quiet ready to be off oxygen, although he pulls the cannula out constantly so we resort to taping it to his nose.”