{A Maternity Session}

Welcoming this baby boy into the world is a tremendous miracle for Tyler and Melissa! Struggling with endometriosis and PCOS, Melissa has had 3 uterine surgeries and has been in medical menopause twice but the possibility of having children was small…and they almost wrote it off completely! Melissa told me they finally came to a point in their lives where they thought they would never have kids. Girl, I know your heart all to well! Until the day she found out she was pregnant!!! A complete surprise and a complete miracle! Not only is this baby boy a miracle in conception but he is also breathing in new life in Tyler’s family since the passing of his dad just 3 short years ago. A true gift from Tyler’s dad, Kevin! And better yet, Melissa is having a wonderful and healthy pregnancy! What an incredible blessing!

Tyler and Melissa are both from my hometown of Livermore so it made sense to meet up at some of our beautiful pasture grounds for portraits. Our family’s pasture grounds are full of beautiful grass, tall oak trees, creeks and the East Fork Des Moines River. I feel the most creative when I’m shooting in these areas. So needless to say, this maternity session is by far my favorite to date! Honestly though, I have to thank Tyler and Melissa for trucking out into the deep grass and putting up with the bugs! But I think it was totally worth it! Even if I’m still scratching bug bites 5 days later! Ha!

Tyler knows these pasture grounds like the back of his hands. He works full time for our family farm and I know that Joe and I are extremely thankful for him and everything he does for our cattle and baling businesses. Joe works very hard and very often we spend time without him BUT without Tyler I know that we would never get to see Joe and I could never really repay Tyler for that! Tyler is definitely an extension of our family and so I was extremely honored and thrilled when Melissa wanted to join the #CBSbabes club!

Melissa: being a mom that has gone through similar hardships to even become pregnant, I know so much of what you have gone through and what you are about to go through with this new baby. Because of your journey, I know that as a new mom you will not miss those little moments and you certainly will never take them for granted. I truly believe that the way you will love this little boy will be different than if you had gotten pregnant early on a whim. When he arrives, your heart will soar and you’ll be wondering why God has given you grace when many others live without. You will hold him tight and will never leave him out of your site. My heart is bursting for you two and I couldn’t be more happier! I’m beyond excited to meet this bundle in just a few short weeks!

Tyler’s grandpa’s flower patch was the perfect setting with this beautiful maroon dress!

Much Love, Carissa