Baby Keough Newborn Session in Osceola, Indiana
Buckle in for a crazy timeline that eventually brings us to Francis Charles Keough and his newborn lifestyle session!
You all might remember this crazy whirlwind of time in 2020 where we were learning all sorts of new words…like pandemic.
I’m kind of chuckling to myself as I prepare to write this blog because Chris and Allie Keough pretty much book-end this entire pandemic in the best but craziest ways. Chris and Allie were set to be married on March 14, 2020. This happens to be about the weekend everyone was trying to figure out if we were supposed to be staying home or if we were ok or if the world was closing down. Or in a more familiar measurement of time, toilet paper shelves were just starting to thin out.
Their entire guest list went from “Can’t wait to celebrate!” to “Can’t….wrap our heads around what is happening and have no idea what to do!” just days before their wedding. It was honestly at the point that no one had too much information and no one really knew anyone who had Covid or its symptoms. So, my husband and I and our dear friends had our very last outing pre-pandemic to celebrate the marriage of these two beautiful souls. And I’m just going to say we all had a great time. Like a really great time. And I’m glad we did because that was the last time we went anywhere or celebrated anything with our friends for quite awhile. Chris and Allie certainly threw a party right before we were all locked into our homes for quarantine.
So, in a unique twist of fate, Chris and Allie had a very long….honeymoon.
In their home.
Spending their first year of married life quarantined with one another.
Now that’s how you kick off a marriage.
And during the same week that they both ended up having to take Covid tests, Allie also was taking a pregnancy test. Two of the three were positive. Chris was locked up and Allie was knocked up. (I typically wouldn’t use that term but the rhyming just felt really good.)
Can you guess what the first official gathering of our friends was as things began to return to normal and we felt we could safely gather together? It was a Diaper Party for Baby Keough! What did I tell you? The Keough’s were our personal book-ends of the pandemic!
So, welcome to a wild world, Francis Charles Keough. What a story you have to tell!
How about that timing of taking newborn family photos next to freshly hung wedding photos!
When Allie reached out to schedule family photos, she reiterated that they really wanted them to be largely focused on just Baby Frank. Neither her or Chris are huge fans of being in pictures, which I 100% relate to. The great thing about a lifestyle session with your newborn is that my main objective is to capture your life in this moment so that you will always remember what it felt like to snuggle your tiny baby as you breathe in that newborn scent. Or always be able to look back at that nursery that you spent so many nights in both before and after baby arrived, rocking and wondering what lies ahead. I want you to have images of these fleeting moments in this overwhelming but wonderful chapter in your life. Will I tell you to smile at the camera or have you posed here and there? Probably. But for the most part my goal is for you to just be a family and embrace the minute and the moment.
I loved chatting with Allie throughout this session to learn more about how everything went and is going for her. Everyone’s story is so uniquely theirs. Allie, owner of Bell’s Academy preschool, had to deal with such a whirlwind of a pregnancy. Unable to operate for a time period during the Covid lockdown, it was hard not knowing what to expect month to month or week to week. But as her kids returned, they immediately joined in the excitement of Baby Keough growing in their favorite teacher’s belly. Now parents have reached out wanting to know when Miss Allie will introduce Frank to their kids so they can' stop being bugged about going to Miss Allie’s house to meet this baby!
Figuring out so many things throughout pregnancy and throughout those first four weeks in particular is exhausting on top of being exhausted. I’m so proud of Allie for being so strong, even in her vulnerable moments, and working her way through the twists and turns that babies bring. In almost every single shot of this mama holding Frank, he’s staring straight at his mama. You know he was meant to be hers and she was meant to be his.
And he may even be smiling at his mom in this one!
In the world of nursery creation, Frank is a lucky little guy. Chris and Allie happen to be the local version of Chip & Joanna Gaines. Allie’s eye for style and design is brought to life by Chris’ handywork. Many a time I have envisioned a project and thought, “I wonder if Chris could make this.” And the answer is probably yes. From the accented green wanes-coating and perfectly paired wallpaper, to the gold mirror and dresser handles or even the customized closet….this nursery is Pinterest worthy thanks to the style and labor of Frank’s mom and dad. Chris and Allie decided not to find out if they would be welcoming a little boy or a little girl, but yet somehow this nursery seems perfectly outfitted for Baby Frank. Funny how that works.
I happened to be at the Keough’s on Chris’ very first Father’s Day. When Allie slipped away to nurse Frank, I jumped on the opportunity to ask Chris some questions and allowed him (forced him) to reflect on life now that he’s been a dad for four weeks.
What were some of the top things occupying your mind when you first found out a baby was on the way?
“That’s a crazy question. Is he going to be safe, happy, healthy? And then it goes deeper to what is he going to bring to the world and what impact will he have? And what kind of person will he be? Like…I think I’m a pretty nice guy (he is) so I want my kid to be a nice guy! Who is this kid going to be?”
What was it like as a newlywed husband to experience a pregnant wife?
I mean we got married a day before the world locked down. Our first six months of marriage were home and quarantined. She had to close her school. The pandemic was happening and you didn’t know what to expect everyday and then to find out we were pregnant. I just had to remind her, and me, that everything would be ok again someday. But it was definitely scary not knowing exactly what the world would be like when he arrived. But we had to be optimistic.”
What is your advice to partners of those expecting/carrying a child?
“Just nod and smile and be supportive. They are going through so much, so you just want to make their job easier. Bring the ice cream home on the way back from work. Do the dishes. Cook the meals. Try to be understanding of what they’re going through.”
At this point Allie returned to the room which was fun to see her reactions and responses to Chris’ responses.
Was there anything in particular that you enjoyed about the pregnancy process?
“She got a sweet tooth! She never has a sweet tooth. Like ever. One day she baked a cake entirely from scratch. I capitalized on that sweet tooth. We are still working on the pregnancy wait. (Both Allie and I pause long enough to allow him to correct himself) I mean my pregnancy weight! Me!”
What has changed about you or life in the first four weeks?
I mean seeing how strong she is…holy cow. Going back to work was really tough but knowing how capable and great she is, I knew everything was ok.
How would you describe fatherhood prior to having a child compared to after?
Before I would say being a role model and support system and someone they could depend on. And now it’s all those things, but more. You want to be somebody to look up to and dependable. It’s just … more of all of it. It changes life.
It was no surprise at all to me to learn from other friends in the hospital system where Allie delivered that Chris got rave reviews as an awesome coach and support team. When he says “I think I’m a nice guy,” he’s right on target.
Welcome to the world, Francis Charles Keough. You are already so loved and in the best of hands with your mom and dad. I can’t wait to see all that you become, and I bet you’re going to be a pretty nice guy.
