The radiant Jasmyne Ross, Jonah (3.5) and Sienna (5 months).
Jasmyne is a previous project participant from our last stop in Portland, OR. She's featured in our first book and you can view her initial photo and bio here.
Jasmyne's first pregnancy came as a surprise. She and her husband were newly married and had just moved to Georgia where he was stationed for the Army. She was alone for much of her pregnancy but things went really well. She labored over about 14 hours and was able to have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Breastfeeding went smoothly with Jonah and Jasmyne was able to continue nursing him until he was almost three. Jonah struggled to gain weight, however, and was constantly sick. He avoided food while doctors kept telling her to just add calories wherever she could. It took months of back and forth and a diagnosis of failure to thrive before they were hospitalized and learned he had several severe food allergies. Since adjusting Jonah's diet, he's been doing very well.
Sienna was very much planned which was a much different experience for Jasmyne. Her husband is medically retired and they're back home in Washington near family. This pregnancy was also uncomplicated but Jasmyne says she's a grumpy pregnant person and finds herself angry and exhausted while she wishes she could be enjoying it. Labor and delivery were smooth and short this time and breastfeeding has been going well also. Jasmyne found that she bonded with Jonah very quickly but has had a difficult time with her daughter. She found herself grieving her time with just her son and wishing she could go back to when it was just the two of them.
At Jasmyne's six week appointment she explained to her doctor how she had been feeling and she started anti-depressants the following week. She's still taking medication and struggling to adjust, however she feels that they are working through their family dynamics in a very healthy way. She and her husband are in therapy to work on both their communication and parenting skills and things are improving in beautiful ways.