Kaden | 27 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

This sweet little guy decided to come a little early!  Meet my new friend, Kaden!  He was due in August but decided to come in May at just 27 weeks.  His birth weight was 1 pound and 11 ounces, and he was only 11 inches long!  Kaden's mom found out that she was expecting in January and did not expect to go into labor so early.  She was so scared, just like most other NICU moms.  Can you relate?  What kind of feelings did you have when you found out that your baby was going to be delivered sooner than expected?  

This is what WebMD says most babies are doing at 27 weeks.  Kaden decided he didn't want to have anything to do with all of those "normal baby" things - he was so excited to see his mommy that he just couldn't wait any longer!  

Scroll through to see what his life is like in the NICU...

Dreya | 27 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

“This is my first time experiencing a premature infant. I prayed to have a girl and experience raising a female child and God gave me more than I asked with this entire experience. It built my faith and took me on a journey I’ll never forget! I love her strength!”

This is Dreya!  She was born at 27 weeks weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces.  She interrupted a family vacation at the beach to come into this world a little early!  Mom had to stay on bedrest for a week, and eventually had to deliver Dreya due to placental abruption.

Dreya came out crying despite being only 27 weeks! She didn't require oxygen for too long, and when I visited her, she was eating a bottle on her own.  That's right - no feeding tube!  She is now at home growing big and strong, alongside her three older brothers.

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...

Lilly | 29 Week Preemie | NICU Portraits | Charlotte, North Carolina NICU Photographer | Krista Gantt Photography

“My husband and I wanted to be parents more than anything. It was a long journey and it did not happen right away for us. When I got to tell him we were pregnant right before his birthday, we were ecstatic. We couldn’t wait to be parents to our little girl.

Everything was going normal in the pregnancy until April 20th. I was scheduled to fly out that day to go back to Indiana for Lilly’s baby shower. I knew something wasn’t right that morning, went to my OBGYN’s office and got the ok to fly. Later that evening, I started going into labor at the airport and didn’t even realize it. I just had a lot of back pain. So I changed my flight to the next morning and went home to relax and ease the pain. A few minutes after arriving home, my water broke. My husband and I raced to the hospital and within an hour of getting there, Lilly was born via c-section. She was 17 inches long, weighed 3 pounds 7.7 ounces, and was the most beautiful baby we had ever seen.

She is so precious and such a fighter. My husband and I are blessed to have her in our lives. ”

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...

Logan | 29 Weeks | NICU Portraits | Krista Gantt Photography

Logan was born in March weighing only 3 pounds and 3 ounces. He spent some time on CPAP, was jaundiced, and had some trouble regulating his blood sugar.  He is now three weeks old and made it to four pounds the day I went to visit him.  He also took his first bottle instead of using his feeding tube!  What a trooper!  

Logan's mom is very familiar with the NICU environment, which is why she contacted me.  She has spent a lot of time in NICUs in the Charlotte area - She is also a mom of twins!  I took care of her 25 week twins in the NICU and they are now enjoying life at home with their older brother, who was born at 36 weeks.  Logan hopes to join these three at home someday soon!  

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