My Best Friend's Baby Story: Birth Photography Rolla, MO

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the arrival of my best friend, Jennifer's, newest bundle of joy on Monday. Birth photography is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, but with my husband's work situation it is nearly impossible to offer that service to my clients. For my friends, well, I'll do my best to make it happen when I can, and won't feel quite as bad if I can't make it :P! I hope I have the opportunity to do it again sometime!

Jenn was scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 5:30am. I arrived around 6:30. I've never experience labor from the point of an onlooker, and when it was myself in labor, it didn't take long at all since I was blessed with 2 very fast labor and deliveries! But to be honest, the waiting stuff was pretty boring and uneventful (I can say that because she's my friend).

see, she thought it was boring too


Finally around 1:30pm, she was ready to start pushing.



She pushed


And I told jokes about how boring labor was :P



And she pushed


And pushed



Unfortunately, Baby Shelby was right side up and was just not wanting to come out. Even with  vacuum assistance, there was just no getting her out. The main problem being that the baby's heart rate was dropping super low with each contraction. Had she been able to handle the contractions, Jenn might still be there pushing ;). Her doctor gave her the option of either trying forceps or heading to the OR for a c-section. Jenn went with the c-section.

Letting the idea of a c-section sink in

I was so looking forward to capturing her face when she saw Shelby's for the first time. But, healthy baby and mommy were absolutely the most important thing and I would just have to settle for big brother's face the first time he saw her. And what a sweet face it was!

Shelby is a healthy 6 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long

see the photographer? ;)
Finally after an hour or so in recovery, Jenn was ready to see Miss Shelby again.

Jenn and Shelby both caught a quick nap before moving into their new room.

Cooper is so happy to finally have Shelby on the outside. And let me tell you, he does not care to share her with anyone!

Cooper said to me, "Don't you just love her?"

Yes, yes I do, Cooper!
Welcome to the world, Shelby!

Newborn Photography Baby Alli: Strafford, MO via: Merdian, MS

The week before Christmas I had the opportunity to visit my VERY good friends in Meridian, MS who just had their first baby, Alli. Shelly's Husband, Mic, is in the Navy and they are currently living on base in Meridian. It was my first time getting to visit with them at their home. And since there is a good chance they will be living on one of the coasts in the next few months, I knew it was now or never if I wanted to drive to them. So I made the 8.5 hour trip while my WONDERFUL husband stayed behind with our two kids.
Miss Alli was 9 days old and probably the best model I've had so far. She slept through everything I put her through, and that was a lot! She was great! She really seems to be a very easy baby. (I can say that because I didn't have to get up with her in the middle of the night!)
I'm so happy for my dear friend. Children are such a blessing and change your life in a way you'll never know until you experience it. Congratulations again Shelly and Mic!