IVF Journey Leads to a World of Joy for Mom, Dad & Big Brother

When the time came to welcome precious little Riley to the world, mom Katelyn and dad Steve couldn’t have been more over the moon with happiness. And big brother Jacob? Well, the love and pride he has for his tiny baby sister are evident as he looks at her with adoration.

Sweet Riley’s story is a miraculous one, however, filled with many ups and downs—and lots of heartache and struggles along the way for her family. For five long years, they struggled with multiple rounds of IVF, which included numerous pills, procedures, and injections. Their hearts led them to complete their little family and bring home a younger sibling for Jacob, and along their journey, they found strength in each other and leaned on their belief that soon their little family would be complete.

ALONG CAME RILEY

After five long years of trying to conceive this lovely bundle of joy, it’s difficult to describe the joy on mom’s face as she holds her cherished and much-awaited baby girl cheek to cheek for a sweet mommy-and-me pose. As little Riley snoozes contentedly in mom’s arms, Katelyn is beaming with happiness as she shares her new baby girl for the world to see.

It’s easy to see that as baby Riley grows, these two will be inseparable besties! From birthday parties to shopping and movie nights, I’m sure this mom and daughter pair have tons of fun in store. For now, though, little Riley is happy to snuggle into her pastel pink wrap and flower crown and snooze contentedly in mom’s loving embrace.

A PRECIOUS MOMENT WITH MOM & DAD

Snuggled in close with mom and dad, little Riley is sleepy and relaxed throughout her photo session. At Andrea Sollenberger Photography, all the focus is placed on providing a calming and serene experience for both baby and the family, so even though there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, the families I work with are always comfortable and relaxed throughout their sessions.

I love seeing the loving looks on mom and dad’s faces as they embrace the tiniest, newest member of their family! Especially after such a long journey, it’s so lovely to be able to share in the joy they feel as they are able to finally hold their newborn baby girl in their arms.

DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL TO PROTECT & NURTURE

Gazing down at his brand-new baby daughter, dad’s expression is one of happiness and fatherly pride as he holds precious Riley in his arms at last. Safe and sound in her daddy’s protective hands and all swaddled in pastel pink with a pretty coordinating bow, precious Riley is the picture of sugar and spice…and of course all things nice!

She may be teeny-tiny now, but it won’t be long, before she’s toddling along behind him and asking for rides on his shoulders so she can be taller than tall! But for now, she’s his tiny little miracle who’s been more than five years in the making, so it’s a pretty sure bet he’s planning on enjoying every single moment of these itty-bitty days before she starts to grow big.

A NEW BABY SISTER TO ADORE

Jacob is a handsome seven-year-old who’s been looking forward to having a younger sibling for a long time, and boy was he excited when it was finally time for his new baby sister to arrive! From day one, he was so excited to have little Riley home and get to interact with her, and at their photo session, he was so eager and engaged. He is one of the most eager siblings I’ve seen, and this sort of love, patience, and excitedness about a sibling is not something he will tire of.

I love the look on his face as he smiles down at his new sister, and it’s so sweet to see his arms wrapped around her in a loving embrace as she continues to sleep the day away. What an adorable brother and sister pair—and what a perfect way to complete this little family!

EVERY LITTLE SIS SHOULD HAVE A BROTHER LIKE THIS

Throughout the family’s studio session, Jacob was more than happy to participate and be hands-on with Riley. He laid beside her, held her, and shared loving smiles that the family is sure to cherish in photos for years to come.

Completely enamored of his little sister, it’s a sure bet that these two will become the very best of friends as they grow up together. In this sweet pose, Jacob holds tiny Riley on his lap as he sits in a criss-cross seated position.

Not only is this photo absolutely heartwarming, if you take a really close look, you’ll notice they are seated on a soft, furry surface that is comfortable and safe, especially for posing siblings together like this. At the Andrea Sollenberger Studio, everything is set up with safety in mind, so parents never have to worry…you can get all the cute shots without compromising safety.

A GENERATIONAL CELEBRATION…EVERYONE’S FEELING THE LOVE

For this very special portrait session, mom and dad decided to include a few generational shots with grandma and grandpa, too. After all, Riley’s arrival is a momentous occasion, and everyone wanted to share in the happy celebration!

It’s so sweet to see grins all around as everyone gathers to share in the joyful occasion of Riley’s arrival. Everyone’s been waiting quite a while for this little girl, so those smiles are going to last a very, very long time.

JUST THE GIRLS

There will be giggles and secrets and definitely trips to the nail salon for this pretty trio! Just look at these three girls all snuggled together and happy as can be. Mama looks stunning and completely gorgeous as she holds her newborn daughter, and grandma is a ray of sunshine standing alongside them sharing the love.

EYES WIDE OPEN & HANGING AROUND

A vision in pastel pink, baby Riley is busy checking out the world around her—and finding her feet!—as this photo is being snapped. Don’t be fooled by the optical illusion of the hanging pod though (because, safety always comes first). Sweet Riley is actually resting comfortably on a soft surface; it just looks like she’s swinging the day away in a soft fabric pod.

This shape is a super-fun one for a few reasons. First, it’s adorable. But also, it allows baby to curl into that comfy, newborn position that’s oh-so-natural in those early first weeks of life. Plus, it allows for exploration of tiny fingers and toes, and it shows off all those tiny piggies for the perfect photo. And we even got really, really lucky and caught a glimpse of those brand-new peepers as baby Riley woke up to see what was going on around her for a few minutes.

With a focus on all things pink to celebrate the arrival of their baby girl, this tone-on-tone color palette would be perfect for a nursery or to surprise grandparents and other family members as they are introduced to the brand-new addition.

IVF…THE LONG JOURNEY

Mom gave permission to share their family’s IVF journey, and in doing so, it is her wish that other families in the same (or similar) situation will know there is hope. Their family didn’t give up, and she hopes that if you’re going through something similar, you won’t either. Here’s a snapshot of their journey in numbers and what it took to get to their cherished family of four:

• 5 years
• 432 injections
• 1,000’s of pills
• 3 procedures/surgeries
• 3 IUIs
• 1 IVF egg retrieval
• 28 eggs retrieved
• 14 genetically normal embryos
• 4 embryo transfers
• 3 miscarriages
• 1 perfect little girl to complete of family of 4

PROFESSIONAL NEWBORN & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

If you’re looking for professional newborn photography in Gainesville, Florida, explore the Andrea Sollenberger Studio for artistic, one-of-a-kind portraits your family will enjoy for years to come. You’ll be involved in the planning process from the very beginning, and we’ll interact throughout the creative process so that you’ll end up taking home gorgeous art prints that will display beautifully throughout your home. Plus, family and friends will love them, too, and will be thrilled to be included in your joyous life occasion.

And if you have a special occasion or want to highlight a momentous arrival—like Riley’s IVF miracle arrival—we can discuss it before your session. I’ll be sure to include lots of special props and details that are meaningful to you and your family, and together, we’ll work to make sure your little one shines like the unique gift they are.

TEDDY BEAR SNUGGLES & SWEETEST DREAMS

Sound asleep and tucked into a miniature baby bed, tiny Riley looks darling as can be beside a stuffed teddy bear. In shades of pink, from pastel to rose, it’s clear this little one is all things feminine, floral, and sweet. The furry white throw beneath the bed adds a fun bit of texture and a soft backdrop for this adorable portrait.

What a joy and blessing it was to work with this family and help them celebrate the arrival of baby Riley and the completion of their beloved family. Every session is a joy, but it’s even more special when I’m able to help a family celebrate a miracle that’s been five years in the making!

If you’re looking for a professional photographer to help you highlight your treasured new arrival, be sure to reach out to me and we can discuss getting started on your own unique and creative photo session. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see the latest and greatest from my sessions, and keep following the blog for detailed updates and session specifics.