Last Hawaii Baby – Rae’s pregnancy

I haven’t talked that much about my second pregnancy, especially compared to my first in which I have 3 blog posts chronicling my thoughts from beginning, middle and into his first year!  When I found out I was pregnant with Oliver, the unknown was terrifying and overwhelming, and I had a lot to say and feel about the experience as my life was about to radically change forever as a parent.  Can’t go back now, once a parent, always a parent from the moment they come out!

This time around, things feel almost too known, and the end of the 3rd trimester has really snuck up on me.  While I was watching late night videos about what to pack for my birth bag last time, now I’m last minute gathering diapers and the essentials, probably a little too unprepared for the chaos that I now know is about to happen.

(This kid has not been born yet to clarify here)

What have I learned for the second time around?

1. The newborn stage is a HOLY COW time of life, where time slows way down, sleep becomes a priceless commodity, and everything else goes on hold.  I did not really know this the first time, but now I hope to cherish it more, knowing that it is temporary when it feels like it will last forever.
2. Motherhood is a full time job.  You cannot do a full time job and be a mother full time.  What I mean is you need some help along the way, and that stay at home moms are actually working their freaking butts off and don’t you EVER disrespect them.
3. Breastfeeding is a herculean task.  It’s also a very personal journey.  As an exclusive pumper for my last baby, I had wow so many melt downs about this.  Now I will give myself more grace, do the best I can for this babe and not literally beat myself to a pulp mentally about the struggles that come with breastfeeding.
4. Time moves slowly day to day, and speeds by year to year.  In the middle of the night it’s hard not to wish it would go by quicker, but my toddler is already way too big.  Capture those moments with photos people, I don’t care how.

Hawaii Born

I haven’t talked about this either but our time in Hawaii is getting close to ending as a military family, which will be summer of next year.  We’ll have been here 5 years, which is super amazing for how long military families usually stay somewhere.  Honestly I’m not sure it was enough time for a place as magical as this has been.  I’m a little bitter that COVID wrecked through over a year of events, weddings, community gatherings and more as we ended up being in the strictest state in the country for lock downs, but am still so grateful for the amount of time we’ve had here.

I love that both my children will be born here, and have that connection to the island.  My hope is that we can come back to the island and keep it as a part of all of our stories, as its had such a big impact on my life.

Past posts about Oliver

• the original – I’m pregnant announcement from Tokyo
• first year with island born Oliver, from birth to now

Maternity Photos in Hawaii

I’m pretty aware of how spectacular it is that we are here, so I can’t help but go a little too hard when it comes to photoshoots documenting our family while on the island.

Can you believe my husband snapped these while we were visiting the Big Island?  A black sand beach has always been my dream to visit (my favorite color is black of course), so I had to get some maternity photos while there.

Family Maternity Shoot

I was honestly pretty amazed by how well the photos above turned out, and almost felt like I didn’t need many more, but then enter my sister.  She has been pregnant at the same time as me with due dates weeks a part.

So we set up one more session (also able to include the hubby) while staying in Haleiwa with the lovely Kirsten Campbell.

Here’s our family photos together as well as the iconic double sister pregnancy photos in tulle gowns.

Life is short, get the gown guys.

Thanks for reading along and for anyone who’s been a part of this amazing time in Hawaii.  It’s not over yet, and we’re gonna live with aloha for as long as we are able to until the very last day.  Can’t wait to introduce this baby to you all.

From Birth to Now – First Year With My Baby