Last fall, I was extremely honored to be asked by one of my photography idols to photograph the birth of her second baby. Her work has always grabbed my heart: it's so pure, and honest, and emotive, and beautiful. To be honest, I had to pinch myself when I saw her e-mail (she's probably blushing now ;-). And then when I learned it would be a homebirth (sigh), I had to pinch myself again.I got the first notice that this might be the day at about 4 a.m. (so it goes for midwives and birth photographers). I could NOT sleep and I paced around for more word. By 8 a.m., I had heard nothing and I started to get a little nervous. With second-time moms, it's my biggest fear that I'm going to miss the birth and then with a homebirth, it can be a little tough because you definitely don't want to get there too early and disrupt the labor process.
But by about 10 a.m, I was so anxious, I pulled a crazy stalker move and I had to do a little drive-by. Oh, I was SO embarrassed to happen upon her and her hubby out for a walk in the cool air!!! (I'm dedicated. What can I say?) After talking to her for about 7-10 minutes I began to think that today might not actually be the day. I mean, here was this beautiful, radiant woman talking to me in complete sentences like it was no big deal and she never once had to stop for a contraction. So, I drove home.
No sooner had I walked in the door, I got a text from dad, "things are picking up here." Followed a few minutes by, "she would like you to come over."
Boy, I FLEW back to her house (I may or may not have breezed through a few "burnt orange" lights along the way). I could hear her outside of the house before I even got through the door...I pulled my camera out because I was so afraid to miss it.
The scene when I walked into the house took my breath away. Christmas lights twinkled and an excited "big brother to be" was hanging out with his grandparents. The birth tub was tucked away in a space that would become the baby's room. Soft music, warm steamy water, and a song coming from deep within mom that was somehow both primal and perfectly in tune. How I wish I had recorded that sound. It was amazing. The light was incredible (I should have known a birth by a fellow photographer would be picture perfect) and it illuminated this mobile of tiny, handmade paper cranes from her friends all over the country (world?). The peaceful energy of the room...the entire house...was both calming and exhilarating. Everyone was happy. No one was afraid. I do not exaggerate. *This* is birth.
[Google Reader and RSS fans, you'll need to click on this link to see the full slideshow]
All the way home that afternoon, I kept seeing the pictures in my head and humming a tune that my good friend, Lyndsay, used on the slideshow for the birth of our daughter. That tune has always been very dear to me and I've felt a bit protective over it. But this entire time, I couldn't get it out of my head. It belonged to this birth, too. Thank you, Lynds, for sharing this song with us.
And thank you to this beautiful family for inviting us into their home to witness such a personal and incredible event and then for allowing me to share it with you all on here.
I could have *sworn* I had already blogged his newborn pictures (scroll down here for baby-in-belly;-), but evidently, I haven't (or if I have, just smile and nod.) This may very well have to be noted as one of the coolest newborns ever. And of course when I walked in and saw the giant "Where the Wild Things Are" monster, well...
...he was awfully comfy and cozy there.
...he was awfully comfy and cozy there.
S is for "Still Stinkin' Adorable."
Tonight was so surreal. See that little guy sitting on dad's lap? Yeah, this was him two years ago. And now he has a new brother that could possibly be his twin. And then to see how the older two kids (I use "kids" for lack of a better term, I promise, G) have grown into handsome/beautiful young adults. I just kept having to rub my eyes and pinch myself. In mom's words when I asked her to describe her vision for the session: "...document where we are. son taller than his mom,
but not dad. daughter getting so pretty and surviving as the lone girl.
j being crazy. baby being snuggly." Is this for real? Is this what I'm going to be staring at in a few years myself (son taller than his mom???). Wow. I'm so not ready for that. But they are. And they take everything in with such grace and love. They set a pretty darned good example--well, minus the little run-in with a rogue stroller and a sidewalk. Yeah, other than that...pretty amazing.
If I'm being honest, driving out to their home tonight, I was soooooooo tired. I had my head buried in paperwork all day long and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to muster the energy needed for 3 bubbly kiddos. But from the *second* she opened the door, I instantly felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I just knew we were going to have a great time tonight. And we did!!! Erin...I'm so thankful to know you and your family and I hereby promise (in public) that we *will* have a playdate before another year goes by!
