Mason’s newborn photos

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” ~ John Swift

Today I met with Mary & Mason for the first time since they’ve been home from the NICU. Mason who was also born with spina bifida remained in the NICU for a little over a week and is doing remarkable thus far. Here he is just over two weeks old.

We were so excited to see his eyes open in the NICU that today he decided he wanted to sit and hang out wide awake for a bit. I of course took that as a sign that he wanted me to make sure I captured his adorable eyes. I hear everyone wants to see this little guy in color…so here he is…blondish brown hair and I believe those are blue eyes right now.

I suppose since having Chance nearly six months ago I am beginning to realize just how important it is to help give other mothers that “hope” I had hoped so much for when I was pregnant. When I was pregnant all I read were the medical journals and web sites and a few blogs of other families. It felt like I kept hearing all the most awful things that could happen…and little focus was placed on the pure beauty of these little ones who are truly miracles. I suppose now it’s time to push on with my vision…to help others somehow see what I struggled so hard to find that month after I found out Chance had spina bifida and for the remainder of the time I was pregnant with him. Just look at Mason’s sweet face…curled up just like the approximately 70 other newborns I’ve photographed…if I didn’t tell you…you’d never know he had spina bifida. Even with something that sounds so awful…yes, spina bifida…there’s something quite special in these little souls. Yes, Mason…you are precious and I sure loved how sweet you were to me today.

Due to his spina bifida, Mason was born with two club feet where his feet turn inward. Once his back is completely healed they’ll put casts on his little feet to help correct the problem, but for now they remain curled up. It was quite breathtaking today to photograph his feet. I knew they’d be something special before I took the photos…but looking back now…I’m fairly certain these are some of my absolute favorite newborn feet photos ever. I suppose the only thing more uplifting than these photos was hearing Mary tell me Mason began moving his legs yesterday…and I got to see it today for myself. Yes, it’s a miracle…and we’ll all keep praying that these feet will someday take steps all on their own. For now hopefully you will also enjoy my admiration of his little feet.

Mason was still somewhat curly…but not quite the same as other newborns. I worked with positioning him today. He definitely preferred to stay wrapped. Instead of curling his legs inward, he curled them upward and kept his legs pretty straight. His little feet peek through his wrap so preciously here.

I’d love to take all the credit for taking such sweet photos of Mason but it definitely wouldn’t have been possible with out Mary helping so much. As I worked to position him she often would sing a sweet lullaby in spanish to him….it was absolutely beautiful…the sort of stuff you never forget. It definitely did the trick to help soothe her little man to sleep.

Many prayers to our new friend Mason…we’ll continue praying for his back to heal quickly and that he escapes the need for a shunt.