We’re Having A Baby!

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Cupid Got Us A BABY! 

Wyatt and I are absolutely over-the-moon and could not be more ready for this next chapter of our lives. We are thanking God every second of everyday for gifting us with this precious child. We really cannot form into words how much we love our baby already. I’m so happy that the word is officially out and I can finally share with you my pregnancy journey so far: From how we found out, to the juicy morning sickness details and unwanted weight gain. I’m happy to share my experience to those that want to hear it! Hold on tight folks because things are just getting started. 

Becoming A Mom

I’ve wanted to be a mom since WAY before I should have ever thought about becoming a mom, and not just a regular mom but a cool mom. (I had to throw in a little “Mean Girls” quote.) You know when you’re just destined to do something, to be someone? Ya. Well that’s me and motherhood. We are like to Mac and cheese. There’s no denying it. There’s no saying no to it. You just end up eating the entire bowl. Mmm… Mac and cheese. I lost track. Where was I? Oh ya. I’m going to be a mom.

I’m loving every second so far except for the occasional throw up sesh in the middle of the subway station. My morning sickness aka morning, evening AND night sickness has FINALLY subsided, well kind of. I really thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to the other side but I did. Oh man. Morning sickness is NO JOKE. It hit me like a ton of bricks just when I thought that I was one of the lucky ones. Nope. I’ve never felt nausea like that in my entire life. I’ll still occasionally vomit at random but it’s much better than being bed-ridden all day long. Besides the typical aches and weird food aversions I’m feeling much better heading into my second trimester. Look at me… Talking all pregnant and stuff. 

My Growing Belly

I’ve gained nearly 10 pounds which I’m really proud about. I honestly cannot tell if I have a bump right now or if I’m just eating too much icecream but either way this bigger and rounder stomach is loved and appreciated. I can’t believe how aware I am of my body. It’s so hard to explain but even though its too early to actually feel the baby kick, I can feel the baby inside of me. Even when he/she was just the size of a raspberry, I could feel its presence. It’s the most incredible feeling and I’m so grateful to experience the magic of pregnancy. One morning I woke up around the tenth week and felt the baby much heavier than the day before. It’s like the little nugget grew overnight!

Finding Out We Were Pregnant

We found out on December 20th via Pregnancy Pee Test. I had this feeling for a couple of days but didn’t want to jinx anything so I never said a word to Wyatt about it. I had been getting my usual pre-menstrual cramps which was very discouraging and made this all very confusing. My intuition was stronger. I was having these dreams and visions all day long. I just KNEW in my heart that I was pregnant. That was the longest work day of my life. I ran home as fast as I could because I knew we had one pregnancy test left. I got home and Wyatt had just gotten off of work, he was hanging out on the couch with Finley. I threw my jacket and things down ran to the restroom to take the pregnancy test. As it was deciding our fate, I went over and propped the camera up and hit record because I just knew our lives were about to change and I wanted it to be documented. I went to the bathroom and saw those TWO PINK LINES saying that I was p-r-e-g-n-a-n-t !!!!! I was shaking uncontrollably when I screamed “WE’RE HAVING A BABY!” Wyatt’s first words were “No, no, no. You’re lying to me.” I won’t ever forget that. We cried together, laughed together. I’m so happy I caught it all on camera. (Might even upload it to YouTube.) 

Our Very First Ultrasound

Our first ultrasound was one of the best days of my life. Aside from marrying Wyatt, hearing our baby’s heartbeat was seriously the most incredible moment EVER. We had been awaiting this day for what it seemed like forever. Most doctors won’t accept you until you’re around your 8th week. We walked into the office, both nervous as ever. I couldn’t concentrate when filling out my medical forms. I even turned and asked Wyatt, “Hey, What’s my birthday?” I was THAT out of it. The hospital and the staff that we chose were out of this world amazing. They were the nicest group of women. I felt so safe and I confidently know that my baby and I will be WELL taken care of. Once we got settled into our room I knew what was coming. I made sure to do my research beforehand so I wasn’t too overwhelmed. 

The first Prenatal Appointment is a hefty one. Things to expect: 

  1. Urine Test
  2. Pelvic Exam including a Pap Smear
  3. Breast Examination 
  4. Transvaginal Scans (The Ultrasound for early stages.) 
  5. Health/ Medical/ Family history. 
  6. Blood tests. (And a lot of them.) 
  7. A pregnancy safe flu shot. (My doctor recommended it.)                                      

Wyatt was my rock through all of this. That day I knew I had picked the right guy to marry and to raise a family with. (I always knew but this really reinsured me.) He held my hand SO TIGHT and did not let go. He made sure I knew he was right there as I was getting these quite uncomfortable tests done, most that I had never done before. I could not have asked for a better partner. Thinking back to that day brings me to tears. He sure made me proud. Speaking of crying, Wyatt and I were immediately in tears when we saw our tiny little peanut on the ultrasound screen. I couldn’t help but sob because there OUR BABY was. It’s like I was meeting my best friend for the very first time. After 8 months of trying to conceive, we had our little miracle. Our sweet bundle of joy. Words cannot express how happy we were in that moment.

God is so good isn’t he. The day we found out we were pregnant was also the day we were going to a fertility clinic to run some tests just to triple check that everything was functioning okay… We never showed up to that appointment. God heard our prayers loud and clear and gifted us with LIFE on His timing, not ours. 

I just have three words left to say: 

Thank you Jesus. 

Photography: Stephanie Sunderland Photography

Feeling 22

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I had the sweetest birthday this year filled with love and yummy Nutella crepes. Let me break this fabulous day down for you.

10:00 A.M. – Coffee with Finley and a little Big Bang Theory.

11:00 A.M. – More Big Bang Theory while Finley takes a nap on my lap.

11:30 A.M. – Getting ready for the day while Wyatt runs his “errands.” (More like set up little surprises for me throughout the day.)

12:30 P.M. Drive to Manhattan Bridge. Can’t find parking so we walk about a mile to the bridge holding giant gold balloons. Everyone is staring.

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1:00 P.M. – Finally get to the bridge. Took a moment to breathe in the beauty of it all and then took some BOMB pictures on the bridge. Everyone is staring.

1:20 P.M. After struggling to get a good photo with my “22” balloons we finally get THE PERFECT photo just in time before a biker accidentally snatched my balloons out of my hands and into the air. (There went $50.)

2:30 P.M. We make it back home after getting a $115 dollar parking ticket. We take a little nappie-nap and then get ready for the evening activities.

5:00 P.M. Get on the subway heading to our dinner reservation at 5:30.

5:30 P.M. We make it to La Piscine in Chelsea with the one of the best rooftop views of the city.

6:00 P.M. – My parents surprise me with the most bouquet of flowers at the restaurant. I only wished my parents came with the bouquet. I really missed them.

8:00 P.M After dinner and a little shopping in Chelsea, we obviously had to stop by one of my favorite crepe spots in the city, Golden Crepes. I ordered the Nutella and strawberry crepe and with that my birthday was complete. I could not have asked for a more perfect, relaxing birthday with my husband in our new city.

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I look forward to all this year has to offer. I wish for more laughs, new friendships and a baby.

*fingers crossed!

Thank you everyone for all the warmth and love.

Xo,

©Karissa Marie

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Our Wedding Video By The Cinematic Age

 

Grab your tissues. Our wedding video, without a doubt, will make you cry.

It’s like I’m reliving this magical day all over again. The venue, the flowers, the dress: All of it was an absolute fairytale. The love that surrounded Wyatt and I that day was captured so beautifully. I cannot wait to show our children and grandchildren this video someday.

Prescott, you’ve outdone yourself.

Thank you so much.

The Cinematic Age
657.215.1584
info@thecinematicage.com
thecinematicage.com

Flowers |Running Wild Florals |

Dress |Monique Lhuillier Spring 2016 Collection|

Bridesmaid Dresses | BHLDN |

Venue | Villa Del Sol d’Oro |

Moving to New York

 

1ece3a7fea18f23b1518413ef6660bb6Hey guys, I’m moving to New York.

I know…about damn time right? Us newlyweds (and Finley) have our bags packed and our U-Haul ready to go with a big fat grin on our faces. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a wee little embryo to move to Manhattan and in just a few short days I’m making that dream become my reality. I couldn’t tell you what attracted me to New York City in the first place. It wasn’t just the fashion that caught my eye or the city that never sleeps that set this insomniac’s heart on fire. No, it’s so much more than that. It’s the timeless buildings, the unending culture and the people on the subway- each with one hell of a story to tell. I want to listen. I want eat, sleep and breathe this city. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. Who knows how long I’ll end up staying. That’s never something I worry too much about because when your time is up…it’s up. I’ll give it a year, two years or maybe even ten. With the help of God, I’ll know when it’s time to move on and start my next adventure.

So many people told me that I couldn’t do it. Their discouraging words rang in my ear like a blow horn crushing my hopes and dreams with “It’s a rich man’s city” and “I don’t think you’re strong enough.” I finally pushed away their negativity and fought away HARD at my own and it opened my eyes to my own strength and drive that I knew I had within me. I am finally burying the people, places and things that have drowned me over the last couple of years and moving forward with great hope and peace of mind of a new adventure. I feel such calmness with how everything has been falling into place for my life lately. I recently got married to the sweetest, most supportive man and I moved on from a job that wasn’t taking me anywhere but down. These two things impacted my life for the better and made my decision to move to New York that much easier.

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God works in the funniest of ways. Three years ago, right around the time that my brother and best friend passed away, I thought that my life was a dead end. I had no hope for the future and I took my dreams of the concrete jungle, a family and a life full of spontaneity and put them away…far far away. I told myself that without them, my life would have no meaning and that I would never be able to move forward and truly be happy. Here I am, three years later, nearly laughing at myself for thinking such things. I am so much more than the tragic events that I have endured. I am definitely so much more than those mean girls in my life thought I would be. (Oh Karissa, if only you knew that those set backs were actually catapulting you into bigger and better things.) I wouldn’t take back my time here in Denver because it was a step in my story that needed to be taken. Regardless of the negative people that had come my way,  I have also met some pretty incredible girls that I will never EVER forget. They both have served they’re separate purposes but it’s finally time to move on.

What gives me such satisfaction and allows me to sleep better at night is the fact that I’m doing this completely for myself and completely on my own. No one is doing it for me, not my dad, not my mom…no one. I’m taking my hard earned savings, my creative brain and carpe diem mantra and I’m gonna get sh*t done. Wyatt, my sweet loving Wyatt, supports my inner independence and he’s ready for the ride. He knew from the day he met me that I wasn’t the kind of girl to settle. I’m a dreamer, a believer, a do-er and he absolutely loves that about me. I can’t wait see all the beautiful ways that he and I will both grow in the big apple. Our first year of marriage is going to be epic.

Let the adventures of Wyatt and Karissa (and Finley) begin.

NEW YORK CITY… HERE WE COME!

With love,

Karissa Marie

 

 

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Saying “I Do.”

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I am speechless so I’ll let the pictures do all the talking. I will say though that this day will forever be my favorite day. Being a wife is so special and I could not have asked for a better husband or what I like to call him- Husby.

Also, thank you to all of the people that made this day possible: Our officiant, wedding coordinator, florist, photographer, the beauty crew, friends, family but more importantly my mom and dad. They were so involved from the very beginning, helping me make this day like a dream every step of the way. They are the most supportive and loving people that I know.

Wyatt and are loving married life. We love calling each other husband and wife in public and love flaunting our wedding rings. We’ve never been happier and are so excited for what our future holds. High school sweethearts forever.

With Love,

©Mrs. Karissa Marie

Photography |Winsome & Wright |

Flowers |Running Wild Florals |

Dress |Monique Lhuillier Spring 2016 Collection|

Bridesmaid Dresses | BHLDN |