A Year In the Life of Everett, as Told by Mom and Shown by JHP
Jeri Hoag Photography first met Jennifer while she was pregnant with her son, Everett. Jeri photographed Jennifer’s maternity session and their client – photographer relationship blossomed from there.
In regards to her pregnancy Jennifer said, “I was always shocked by the amount of moving Everett did in my belly. That kid never stopped. He continued to never stop moving since he was born too.”
Everette was named after his great uncle on his dad’s side. Everett’s father is named Preston and his uncle was named Evan. Evan went by Ev until he passed away from cancer. In honor of Evan, Jennifer and Preston named their son Everett and call him Ev.
After Everett was born, Jeri was privileged to get another chance to work with Jennifer. This time dad came along for the session too.
Jennifer says that, “Everett has his momma’s eyes and hair, and has his dada’s skin and intelligence.”
As Jennifer said, Everett enjoys action. This handsome boy also enjoys music as well. His favorite toys play music or sing songs. Everett’s favorite books are interactive ones; be it touch-and-feel books, light-up books, or books with movable parts . If there is an action component mom says, “Those are they toys he will get out over and over to play with.”
Everett’s favorite TV show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. His most favorite part is the “Hot Dog” dance at the end. Jennifer says that when it comes on, no matter where Everett is in the house at that time, he will dance. As Everett has grown he has even begun to dance like the characters do during the show, swinging his arms back and forth in front of him. Jennifer says that, now, any time a song comes on, Everett does the moves to the “Hot Dog” dance.
As time passed and Everett grew, mom and dad made sure to teach him animal sounds. Everette first associated dogs with panting as that is what his family’s dog does most. Now that he is older he has learned to say, “woof woof,” in reference to dogs. If Everette hears mention of a dog, sees one on TV, or sees a dog walking down the street he barks and pants just as a dog would.
When asked what mom most looks forward to in Everett’s second year of life she said, ” I can’t wait to continue to watch him grow, learn, and develop into the person he is going to be.”
Everett was a difficult baby early on. He slept poorly and always needed held. And at four months old Jennifer, Preston, and Everett moved into a house that needed remodeling. This unfortunately coincided with a sleep regression that had Everett waking up every two hours throughout the night for months on end. In addition; mom, a nurse, applied to go to school to become a nurse practitioner. She began the program when Everett was nine months old.
Mom and dad made it through though, and have the majority of their house redone. School is well under way and mom says, “Thankfully, over the last couple of months Ev has completely changed as a person. He is now so much fun and he is so smart. He picks up on what we try to teach him so quickly. He has made me such a happy and proud parent over the last few months.”
This extra special family deserves many thanks and much recognition during this difficult time as our country faces a heavy battle against Covid 19; which is ultimately why JHP felt now was the time to honor and share this family’s story. Jennifer, as mentioned above, is nurse. She works on the front lines of this battle as a critical care nurse in Michiana. This means that she takes care of Coronavirus patients.
Recently Jennifer received her first DAISY award. This award is given to a nurse each month based on nominations that can come in from co-workers, patients, or the patient’s family. Usually this award would be presented in front of the nurse’s family and as many co-workers as possible. However, during this time, no family could be present. Still Jennifer received, “a DAISY award certificate, an award pin for my name badge, a sculpture entitled “A Healers Touch,” a bouquet of flowers, and a huge batch of cinnamon rolls.”
There were three recommendations Jennifer received that ultimately led to her being chosen to receive the DAISY award. All three admissions were for her outstanding care of a former nurse who had been very ill and was eventually pronounced brain dead. Jennifer took care of her and when the patient was ready to head into operation so that she could be an organ donor, Jennifer stayed by her side until around midnight when the patient went to the operation. Jennifer wanted to stay with her patient and the patient’s family during that emotionally difficult time. One submission reads, “She is an all-around exceptional nurse, and most deserving of a DAISY.”
Her second recommendation came from another co-worker who said this of Jennifer, “Jen is a calming force in the face of chaos and a role model for many young staff.” She went on to say, “It is difficult to articulate how important it is to have nurses of Jen’s caliber; excellence is created by dedicated individuals who cultivate and embrace their team members …. I can think of few individuals more deserving of a DAISY award.”
The third and most moving of submissions came from the patient and donor’s family – specifically the patient’s son and daughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law wrote, “Jen performed her duties as the ICU nurse with knowledge, skill, and compassion, a rare combination in any human being today.” The daughter-in-law went on to explain how she first met Jen and how Jennifer worked to care for her mother-in-law throughout her time in the ICU. When a doctor doing rounds came in to the room and shared that the patient’s overall health was not improving, Jennifer saw the family’s look of confusion and worry and whispered into the ear of the daughter-in-law that she would be back soon to explain further. Jennifer came back as promised and clearly and compassionately explained the situation to the family. The decision was made to remove the patient from the ventilator. Jen was there every step of the way. The submission form reads, “But beyond her duties in caring for her [the patient], she cared for both my husband and myself. She guided us through every step of the way, allowing us to ask any question we needed and also provided compassion for us bringing peace to our whole family … We truly believe that God puts people on this Earth to serve as angels for others. Jen is truly an angel for us and our whole family.
Thank you Jennifer for your dedication to Michiana’s community. You are a light and an “angel.” Jeri Hoag Photography is honored to have photographed your family. Stay safe and well. We will be thinking of you and praying for you during this time. -JHP
For more information on booking a maternity, newborn, or milestone session with Jeri Hoag Photography visit her page at https://jerihoag.com/
Jeri Hoag Photography now empowering and instilling confidence through intimate boudoir photography for the everyday modern woman in St. George, UT/ Hurricane, UT/Washington, UT/Leeds, UT/Ivins, UT/Santa Clara, UT/Dammeron Valley, UT/Veyo, UT/Shivwits, UT/Littlefield, AZ /Las Vegas, NV/Mesquite, NV.