Surgery Update

Good Morning Knox Fans! 

We just heard from the surgeon. Knox did great and the surgery went exactly like planned. Now we work on eating, breathing on our own, and trying to get home soon! Thanks for all the prayers. We will get to see him in the next hour. 

Weekend Love

The weekends at the hospital are always nice. It's quiet. There isn't all the hustle and bustle of the weekday, and there isn't as many people coming in and out if your room. BUT my favorite thing about the weekend is all the extra snuggle time we get to have with Knox. 

We also had visitors! Knox got to meet his Auntie Salena and Uncle Louie! Though they were here the day we delivered they didn't get to see Knox so though a weeks late, Salena got to read him his story, "On the Night You Were Born." 

Today we are just taking the opportunity to hang out before tomorrow's surgery. Please send lots of thoughts, prayers, and good vibes our way over the next 24 hours. 

2 weeks

Today Knox is 2 weeks old! I can't believe it, and I can't believe I have been a mommy for two weeks. Even if we have spent that time in a hospital, and only held him 5 times; I think it's safe to say Drew and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

With today's milestone, we are also moving toward the future today. Knox will have heart surgery on Monday to begin our road to getting better. So you ask, " I thought he already had surgery?" Sort of. We have had procedures, but they were not able to fix our issues. Drew and I feel confident in the doctor's (because they invented it) ability, and where and what this will set us up for the future. So all you awesome prayer warriors who have been supporting our little guy, please continue to do so over the weekend and into Monday. 

Throughout this week I have had a real issue wrapping my head around surgery even though I knew all along this day would come (and will come again in the future). I have struggled emotionally, and have been exhausted from the tears. I mean it my child and the last thing I want is for him to have to go through surgery or hurt, but I know this is what is best for him and his heart. Both of which I love so much. 

The Knox Report

2 weeks old 

Eating milkshakes again (breast milk) 

Toots a lot 

Told today I look like my doo- da 

Love is in Columbus

Though my blog is called "From Paris with Love," these days all my love is in Columbus, Ohio. As many of you know after some complications with my pregnancy and some special issues with our little one we were sent here to deliver and for baby to receive care. 

Love is a wonderful thing because on March 7th I was blessed to feel the most amazing type of love and that was to become a mommy. Our little bundle of joy Knox was born. 

And not long after that I experienced one of the most difficult things as they swept Knox and Drew off to Children's hospital, and left me to recover at the hospital I delivered at. You talk about a difficult day, but the next day we were reunited when my wonderful doctors and nurses let me have a leave to go officially meet my son. 

Many that know we know that I enjoy writing, and though it is sometimes hard to read its one of the best ways to express what you are feeling or thinking without having to actually talk about it. And right now that is the best for me. I apologize to those who have text or called in the past two weeks to get no answer. But please understand it's hard and we are taking it day by day. I should have taken to the blog earlier, but again - it's just hard. 

So this will be my virtual journal of the new Hatmaker family of three, and our struggles as we work to make little Knox better so we can bring him home. Some days if I'm having a bad day this blog might be hard to read, but I hope and pray in the coming days there will be more happiness because that precious little face sure makes my heart fill with happiness and love. 

Please continue to pray for our little family, and know that we appreciate all of you out there for your thoughts and prayers. 

The Knox Report

Today Knox is 13 days old and we get to hold him today. Only the 4 th time since birth, but we savor every chance! Knox has mom's noise and dad's chin, and looks to be our blue eyed boy. I also think  that he might be a lefty. 

Beauty Swap

Hello Gorgeous!

I am sad that it has took me this long to return to the blogging world, but at least by participating in the Beauty Swap with Crystal of Crystal Cattle and Courtney of Cowgirl Crush made me get back to writing. 

I missed out on the first Beauty Swap Crystal hosted, and was almost too late to the game this time until Nicole over at Farmgirl Chaos was a little behind to. She said, "Why don't we just switch?" Nicole has intrigued me for quite some time, and I have been following her blog plus became Instagram and Facebook friends with her. Isn't social media great? 

I must say that this Beauty Swap couldn't have come at a better time. I am eight months preggo, and have recently been visiting the labor and delivery floor for some blood pressure issues. Last week was quite the awful week for my husband and I, but I came home from the hospital to find a pretty little beauty swap package on my doorstep! Just what this un-showered, nasty feeling hospital visitor could use. 

I love that most of the items she sent me are travel size. Before bed rest I travelled a lot, but now my travel bag to the hospital will be complete with these goodies that Nicole sent me. I am also really intrigued by the little envelope from Young Living she sent me. It is lavender scented (which is my fav!) and the card suggested that I put a drop in my mascara.  I have also wanted to try Bliss products for awhile, but never have dived in, but this body wash/bubble bath will be perfect for this little momma to be. And turquoise! What a surprise! Who doesn't love turquoise!?

Includes: Bliss Soapy Suds, Burt's Bees Facial Towelettes, Forever Red Perfume, Young Living Oils, Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet, and CANDY!

Thanks Nicole for making my week! 

Our first wedding!

Back in the spring, our friends Chad & Amanda asked us to take photos at their upcoming wedding in June. Of course, most of you know that we take pictures of cattle and the occasional cute kid and people candids. Amanda wasn't letting us off the hook because she, like us when we got married, wanted to know and feel comfortable with the person taking their photos.

I will admit, we were nervous. We did some research, photo stalking, and met with our very talented friend Kelsey Malicote of Malicote Photography to prep for the big day. I mean we have cameras and lenses, but we rented a few pieces to give us the edge for the wedding day.

Did I mention it rained? I was terrified and it wasn't even my wedding! It rained for most of the day leading up to picture time. We were to meet at 5:30 for photos, and thankfully the sun began shining and set a perfect backdrop for the outside photos. Yay!

Chad, Amanda, and their beautiful little girl AnnaBelle were awesome subjects to deal with. The whole thing was so laid back and relaxed that it couldn't have been a more perfect first wedding for us. I got to do creative shots like I was hoping for. Drew just kept praying that I didn't enjoy wedding photography.

So here is a sneak peek of our very first wedding! I don't think we did too bad! There is lots more to see, but we gotta save those for Mr. and Mrs. Hudgins!

 For real... we took these.

 I'm not joking.

Thank you to Chad & Amanda for trusting us to capture your special day! We had an absolutely fantastic time! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and many more beautiful children like precious AnnaBelle!

Corgis at the capital!

A few weeks ago after our sale in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania we decided to head to Washington D.C. on our way home. Drew had never been to our nation's capital, and I love the history and monuments. The only kink in our trip was that we had the dogs. Which meant no museums, but you can take them to the National Mall.

Family Photo at WWII Memorial

First off, let me say that our corgis don't walk on a leash that much. The first 30 minutes of walking was a nightmare. The pulling, choking, and down right craziness was almost enough to make you want to get back in the car.

They started to get the hang of it after a bit. They also enjoyed the massive amount of attention they got. I mean other people had their dogs, but oh my- corgis are popular!

Since we had the dogs and I had been to D.C. before I let Drew go check out the monuments while I stayed back with the dogs. Drew said he could always tell where I was. You just looked for the large group of people and that's where I was.

"Are those corgis?"

"What are there names?"

"Are they boys or girls?"

"Which one is the girl? Which one is the boy?"

"How old are they?"

"That one is fat!"

"Are they brothers & sisters or boyfriend/girlfriend?"

"Can I pet them?" 

Tuck loved all the attention! He would jump and bark. I told him we had to be quiet because we had to be respectful. We also had to make sure Tuck didn't pee on any monuments.

They also wanted to jump in the reflecting pool because of the ducks. Now wouldn't that have been embarrassing?

The best story of the day happened at the Lincoln Memorial. Drew went up into the monument while Gabby, Tuck, and I sat on the steps. This really nice, young couple come up to me.

"I know this will sound really crazy, but our friend is obsessed with corgis. Can we take a picture with your dogs?"   Of course!

After one last stop at the Martin Luther King Jr memorial the dogs were pooped out! We headed back to the car for a drink of water and headed home!