Sedona's Birth - Puget Sound Birth Center - Kirkland, Washington

Sedona’s Birth Story

A quick progression and arrival

Amelia’s two previous births were both very punctual so when her third baby went past 40 weeks, each day felt like a huge waiting game, but as we all know babies come when they are ready.

I received the first call a little before 5am from Amelia saying she thought she was in early labor and that her contractions had woken her up. Able to talk just fine on the phone, I told her to keep me posted. However, I was suspicious when she told me her contractions woke her up, so after hanging up I changed into my dart-out-the-door clothes and laid back down. But not for long. Around 5:30am she called again saying things were picking up and they were going to start getting ready to go to the birth center where I would meet them. Again, she could still talk through her contractions, but trusting her body she knew things were moving swiftly. I made some hot tea and waited by my phone for the cue to leave. She texted me one final time at 6am saying they were headed out the door and she couldn’t keep on top of her contractions. Off to the birth center we all rushed.

Since I live only about 10 minutes from the birth center, I arrived before her and waited in the birthing suite with the midwives. A few minutes later Amelia and her husband Ryan arrived. Amelia slowly worked her way down the hallway through each contraction. They quickly filled the tub for her as both her husband and midwife took turns applying counter pressure until the tub was ready. Her husband turned on her playlist as she continued to labor. Once the tub was ready she was able to climb in and receive some brief comfort from the warm water. After only 7 minutes in the water and a few intense contractions, she felt the urge to push.

Three minutes of pushing later at 6:58am, baby Sedona was out and in her mother’s arms. Amelia and her husband had only walked into the birth center 22 minutes earlier. One of her midwives hadn’t even made it to the birth center yet! This strong and powerful mama labored for just over 2 hours between home and birth center and birthed her beautiful rainbow baby quickly and gently in the water.

Now the twist was that although Amelia knew they were having a girl, her husband Ryan didn’t know. So Ryan found out right after baby was born. The original plan was for it to be a surprise for both of them, but Amelia accidentally found out mid-pregnancy and Ryan decided he wanted to keep it a surprise. So they both wrote down their predictions. Ryan wrote down what gender he thought the baby was, and Amelia wrote what she thought Ryan’s guess would be, and they revealed them to each other while relaxing and recovering in bed afterwards. They had a good laugh when they found out they both guessed wrong.

Welcome baby Sedona!

SLIDESHOW
(view Sedona’s complete birth story)

IMAGES
(a few select favorites)

Nova's Documentary Newborn Session - Duvall, Wa

When I walked in to their house I knew this session was going to be special. Not only was baby Nova just the cutest thing ever, but the grandparents were there too! There’s something really special about having grandparents in your family’s newborn photos.

During a documentary newborn session we plan and time your session for the most active/alert time of day for baby. Hint: It’s typically during the morning. I come in, take a few minutes to meet your family, and just start documenting your family as we chat.

During baby Nova’s session he nursed, the grandparents oohed and awed over him (trust me, this would have happened even if I wasn’t there), he had his first bath, led by grandma who was a former labor and delivery nurse, they got him dressed and brushed his amazing hair (seriously check it out!) Then it was time for more baby cuddles, a quick walk around the neighborhood, and then some sleepy time cuddles in the house with everyone, including their pup.

Nova, you are so loved.

LOOKING FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER?

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DeNelle's Breastfeeding Session - Woodinville, Wa

DeNelle’s breastfeeding portrait session took place on a gorgeous late August morning. The flowers were in bloom and her son Sebastian was a doll. Look at his expressive little eyebrow furl! He was enamored by the colorful flowers surrounding him and didn’t quite know if he liked touching them.

Every nursing experience is different. Honor yours with a portrait session anytime during your breastfeeding journey.

Alain & Gen's Family - Day in the Life Session

This is a session from September 2019.
Yes, I’m that behind on blogging but trying to catch up by posting my favorite sessions.

What makes a successful day in the life session?
A glimpse of the absolutely normal everyday stuff and a family that invites me in to see it. That’s it. And it’s magic.

I arrived right when their girls were waking up. I was there for the early morning snuggles in bed bathed in early morning light. Most families think, oh we need to get ourselves ready before you come over. No you don’t.

Next it was onto a bit of dress up, breakfast, and getting ready for the day. Finally one quick impromptu dance party before the girls were off to their own Saturday morning dance classes. (Did I mention both Gen and Alain are dancers too?)

After dance classes were over they walked down to a corner cafe grabbed a snack and joined some friends at a neighborhood park.

Then a quick stop at a little free library and back home to relax. That’s it!

A normal Saturday routine captured in a way they’ll be able to relive for years to come.

Thanks to Alain and Gen who graciously welcomed me in and trusted me completely to be there for all the little moments.

Check out their entire session through the slideshow below.

David's Home Birth - Redmond, Washington Birth Photographer

The stars were aligned when Alissa and I found each other only a few weeks before she was due.

As a mother of three, this home birth was not her first. Alissa amazed me. Not only was she so in tune to her body to predict the exact day she’d be having her son, she also seemed to know exactly what she needed to do the entire time she was in labor. She gracefully walked the fine line of being in complete control and surrendering to everything her body was telling her. Such a strong woman and mother. Her children were in awe of their mother.

Prior to her birth she told me she wanted make sure to have photos of her husband supporting her. Turned out not only did her husband do a fantastic job supporting her, but her two youngest children barely left their mother’s side all night and morning, except to sleep.

Her youngest son outlast the rest of his siblings, staying awake into the wee hours of the morning with excitement as his mother labored. Which is also why you’ll see in the slideshow his sister holding him up half asleep right before the birth of his baby brother. Both he and his sister were the best mini-doulas to their mother, constantly offering encouraging words and support. After an evening and morning of labor, their little baby brother David was greeted by so much love when he finally arrived at 11:17 a.m. on March 21st.

SLIDESHOW
(grab a drink, sit down, and view the complete birth story)

IMAGES
(a few select favorites)