Harper 6 months | Middle Tennessee Baby Photographer

A few weeks ago I got to spend the morning with Harper again. The sweet, precious baby girl who has  stolen my heart. It was time for Harper's 6-month session. This day Stewart got to tag along with me and be my assistant. That was a treat for him. He finally got to meet the baby girl he has been praying for.

The week following our session, Harper traveled to St. Jude once again for test and to hopefully have her line removed. So many have prayed for our Harper. And our prayers have been answered. Harper received good results and while at St. Jude celebrated with a NO MO CHEMO party!

Harper and her family are such a blessing. Sure, I have known her family for some time, but to be chosen to share in her life...there just aren't words for what that means. I am so, so blessed. The first time I saw her she captured my heart. Her mommy, her daddy...just being with them. Watching them with her. Witnessing those tender moments. I'm so thankful. Maybe that is why she is so special to me. She is special to so many. God blessed us all by giving us Harper.

Harper the Precious | Middle Tennessee Newborn Photographer

Harper's mommy contacted me before Harper was born to schedule a newborn session.  At the time no one knew that Harper would require surgery just days after she was born. Harper was born with a tumor.  The tumor was removed, and Harper had many test to see if it had spread. All initial tests indicated that it had not, and when Harper was 3-weeks-old, I was able to spend the afternoon with her and her mommy and daddy. 

It wouldn't be until a follow up visit with her oncologist that they would learn of spots on Harper's liver. Harper is now 7-weeks-old and is at home recovering from her first round of chemotherapy. 

Harper is blessed with wonderful parents. Shortly after learning that Harper would need chemotherapy, Harper's dad issue a challenge for those who wanted to do something for Harper. Below are his words: 

Today our daughter turned 6 weeks old and we are traveling back to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for the 4th time in 4 weeks. Her first round of a potential eight rounds of chemotherapy begins tomorrow. We are so thankful for all your prayers but we also are forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Jude. To those who may not know, St. Jude operates at absolutely $0 cost to their patients and families. For all the care and treatment Harper or any child receives they will NEVER receive a bill. Because of that I am asking for your help. Beginning tomorrow 9/3/13 I am asking for people to set aside $1 per day for 365 days that will then be donated to St. Jude. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $36,500 and with just 100 people committing to the cause we can make this happen. Please rest assured that 100% of the money raised will be presented to St. Jude on 10/3/14. If you have any questions about our cause please feel free to message Jill or I or send me an email to obagley@gmail.com. All donations can be sent to: Harper Bagley St. Jude Donation Fund, PO Box 470, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

Please feel free to share/repost/or send this to anyone you know. Thank you so much in advance for helping us raise money for such a phenomenal organization. The life you save may very well be my daughters.

I along with hopefully many others have taken Owen's challenge. Now on my kitchen counter there is a mason jar.  Written on the front of it in black sharpie is "Harper's Fund." Each day I put $1 in it. Not $5 so that I don't have to put another dollar in it for a few days, not a twenty dollar bill.  Just one dollar. Some days I don't have a one dollar bill in my wallet. I may have to dig through my coin purse and find 4 quarters. But every day it is $1.  Why? Because that way I think of Harper each and every day.  I think of the other children at St. Jude's Hospital and their families.  

I hope that you will consider joining me in this challenge.  I challenge you to get a jar, an envelope, a bank, anything that will hold money. I challenge you to each and every day put away $1 for St. Jude in honor of Harper. I hope that you will also join me in praying for her each and every day as you put in your $1.  I know that with our prayers joining together God will heal this sweet baby girl.