First time mama - Lifestyle Newborn Session

I was welcomed into this beautifully renovated home on the Central Coast of NSW to photograph Mandi and Kalan's newborn baby boy, Nash. Capturing the family of three in their abode, the new parents were able to relax in their own surrounds and just cuddle and stare at the amazing little human they had made.

I instantly felt how loved baby Nash was, with Mandi and Kalan absolutely besotted with him, and it wasn't hard to see why. Nash was such a chilled-out, cute little man, and his little pout and big blue eyes could make anyone clucky. Meeting your baby for the first time is so surreal. For Mandi, to finally see what her little man looked like for the first time was an emotional experience, "During my pregnancy I had quite a number of ultrasounds, especially towards the end and in every ultrasound his face was covered with either a hand, cord or the images were blurry from having a low amount of amniotic fluid. He has the most beautiful little face and we immediately fell in love with him." Reflecting on Mandi's birth story, she states, "I initially felt an immense feeling of relief! I had done it! The wait, anxiety and pain was all over. That feeling was fast followed by happiness, a feeling of love and excitement." Mandi looks like she was destined to be a mother, so caring, relaxed and nurturing - not that you could tell this mama had just given birth, she looked amazing! I know they talk about a pregnancy glow, but Mandi was glowing post pregnancy. She recalls, "I was most surprised at how naturally motherhood felt to me and how easily Nash slotted into our lives." In saying that, Mandi also is aware of how her life has changed in every way possible since having Nash. No one can ever prepare you for the overwhelming love you will feel for your baby, a love that cannot be predicted. Then, there's the whole sleep thing. Or lack of it. You don't know what tired is until you become a new mum! Often, it starts in the first trimester, when no matter how much you sleep, you just can't shake the tired away. You are growing a human, after all, even if it is only the size of a green olive. Then you welcome the third trimester, and your massive belly means that rolling over is such a task, it's bound to wake you up. Then there's the urge to wee all the time during the night.

Once babe arrives, you can kiss sleep goodbye. It has been a fair few years since I myself was a first-time mum, but I do remember the sleep deprivation in those newborn months (let's face it, with two kids, I still don't know what a full night's sleep is). I've read that a parent loses 44 days of sleep in a baby's first year!* "I never knew what being sleep deprived felt like till I became a mum. Lack of sleep, black eyes are all real but somehow it gets easier to deal with," says Mandi. Getting out the door on time is another new challenge. If you've got to be somewhere promptly, it's almost a given your baby will do a number three just as you leave the house. Packing the baby bag with nappies, wipes, spare clothes, dummies, etc, is a mission. And remember, you're exhausted from no sleep so you're almost guaranteed to forget something. "I have fast learnt to be more patient, for instance leaving the house is not so easy as it once was, It takes thought, preparation and a few nappy changes or outfit changes (Nash or I) to walk out the door," says Mandi. No one really ever really tells you - or you can never really comprehend - that once you fall pregnant, you will worry constantly - during pregnancy, when so much is out of your control, then when your baby is born, this goes into over drive! "My priorities in life have completely changed, as long as my family are healthy and happy then that's all that truly matters," says Mandi. Mandi adds, "Having Nash has definitely put life into perspective for me, I know its cliché but life is way too short and that has been my motto for a lot of things lately. It is true what people say, 'they grow way too fast'. Take in and cherish every second, every cuddle and kiss and make the most of all of your 'good days' because you will have a few bad/hard ones along the way for whatever reason. The good days most certainly outweigh the bad though."