The Greatest Love Story - The Hospital Birth of a Deployed Father's Baby Boy over Skype

It was almost March.

January and February had flown past me amidst a chaotic move from our old apartment to our new home.

I got a message from a first time mom, Ashlyn, asking me if I happen to have any availability for a last minute birth in March. She and her husband are both in the military and she was coming down to Florida from being stationed in North Carolina for the last few years and with her husband still deployed overseas, they worried what lasting memories they may have from the birth of their first child.

My heart instantly sank.

I overlooked my completely full calendar for March and said absolutely I have availability for you.

How could I not?

I couldn't imagine giving birth without my best friend, my husband, by my side, and I have such a soft spot in my heart for military and law enforcement.

I knew in that moment, I would do everything in my power to make this the greatest love and birth story of all time.

Ashlyn and I met and instantly realized we had dozens of things in common, which made this birth story feel like it was for an old friend, or a sister. It was one of the first births I've cried at because it just pulls so much on your heart, how mom and dad serve this country with all their heart, and now birth their first child while separated by thousands of miles of ocean and foreign lands.

I hold in my heart the greatest gratitude for Ashlyn's amazing OBGYN at Broward General hospital in Fort Lauderdale, who took her under her wing so last minute, just a few weeks before birth. And to the hospital as well for being so accommodating of these first time parents hopes and dreams of having the first birth of their newborn baby boy documentary so smoothly and happily.

May this birth story fill your hearts with hope and love the way it did mine. 

Birth of a first granddaughter | First time parents & first time grandmas

One of the parts of my job as a birth photographer that really brings me a lot of happiness and fulfillment is working with parents who I feel connected to, who I feel are like old time friends or family, from the first time I meet them. Vianey and Stefen are the epitome of this! I think I mentioned to them several times during our first meeting, their pregnancy and after the birth of their incredible little girl Penny, that I wish we were neighbors or lived 5 minutes away. 

We have so much in common and chatting feels effortless.

I had no idea how much love I'd have in my heart the day I joined them in their delivery room. Already there was a lot of love and a lot of family present during Vianey's labor, supporting her utterly and flawlessly.

There were a few things that kind of swept me off my feet. 

One... their birth plan changed, a few times. And each time, these first time parents met these changes with positivity, bravery and resilience.

Vianey's husband stood by her during her entire labor as the most vigilant and empathetic partner I have yet seen. 

Her family had this unspoken reverence for the young couple. An unspoken truth everyone knew about, that they went into this labor knowledgable, wise, prepared and they don't need guidance, advice, critique, rather they deserve the utmost kindness and support. Watching so many family members and also friends provide this incredible labor, birth and baby encouragement and support, even with Vianey breastfeeding the baby immediately following birth, well it was refreshing and inspiring and most of all, incredibly calming to me.

Some of these images happen to be some of my all time favorite pieces of work I have ever documented. I am thrilled that this 2017 family is now part of my birth families, that their journey has been one I have had the honor of capturing...

I love that this family fell deeply into the strong bond of trusting me to document the day their first born daughter came into this world... this is an honor that is not bestowed onto everyone and I will value their trust in me forever. 

PS. I absolutely love the twist ending with the fun proposal you'll see in the last few shots. I hope you enjoy these photographic pictures as much as I did!

Grow with me | Second Baby Girl Newborn Session in Fort Lauderdale

Click here to Meet my partner Lena who captures all these beautiful memories from maternity and newborn sessions exclusively for my birth clients leading up to and following their birth stories... 

I met Caroline & Chris a couple years ago when they were expecting their first baby girl. It has been really cool watching their oldest daughter grow and become a big sister. I couldn't wait to see how their girls are getting along in the beginning :)

I have my own two girls at home that are 2 years and 10 months apart, and I am so excited about them growing up and being best friends. I think that's been my favorite part of motherhood so far, watching my girls play and learn about each other. And the beginning is so great, all the focus is on big sis and her newly attained role, and on baby sis taking it all in.

When I pulled up to their new house in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday morning, I was really charmed! Fort Lauderdale has its fair share of eclectic and quirky homes, and its so refreshing from neighborhoods where theres maybe 3-4 variations of the same house design. 

I almost wished I could stay the whole day and document every nook and cranny of their house. I walked through the front gate of their fence that encompasses their entire yard (which I just LOVE!) your kids can run around the entire yard without worrying they'd get in the street, how cool is that? Grandma and Grandpa greeted me at the door along with dad. Grandma was rocking baby girl in her arms and she looked SO in love, as grandmas always do. 

I spent a little bit of time taking candid/lifestyle documentary photos in their eating room and kitchen, (I absolutely ADORE their pot hanging rack by the way and want to get one ASAP for my own kitchen! And their window cabinet doors are just my style!) I followed the family upstairs to the master bedroom overlooking their entire backyard. The wall of windows was a dream come true. I feel that natural light is a beautiful, moody gift, perfect for capturing every moment in your home. 

I hope you enjoy these photographic pictures as much as I did! Such a sweet Newborn Session with the entire family including their doggy in their Fort Lauderdale cozy house. I can't wait to continue to capture amazing moments with this family as their girls grow up big and turn into best friends! 

Cozy Newborn Home Lifestyle Session with a family of 6 including fur babies!

When my Emma was born, things were so, to be completely honest, chaotic!

Suddenly everyday tasks took over the whole day! I barely got around to getting more than 1 big thing done a day. So for me, to schedule time for a photoshoot, get my whole family dressed and get out to the beach, well, that thought sounded exhausting to me!!!

Don't get me wrong, I would have LOVED to do a gorgeous sunset session on the beach with my family, but that just wasn't going to happen! Having just had a baby, we mommies know that it isn't a walk in the park! There's some recovery time, both physical and emotional, and it varies for every woman of course, but how easy and how YOU is it to invite your photographer into your home and have them capture what your family is like right now, without waiting until your baby is crawling or walking.

I started documenting my own family on a weekly basis with my big camera once the baby was born. I learned a big lesson all on my own, I'm not in most of these pictures! Insert big sad face! 

I was so excited that it was important to Ana that I come back to her home after the birth of her daughter Victoria. The first weeks of what a lot of moms call the fourth trimester go by so fast and a lot of days run into each other. I love that this session took place in their home. It is cozy and it is so them.

If you are pregnant and expecting your little baby in January, February or even March of the new year 2017, it's not too early or too late to contact me about a newborn lifestyle or documentary session in your home!