I had the incredible honor of photographing my nephew as he made his debut into this life. Even though I was just taking photos and I was not the one having the baby I was still nervous, anxious and scared! I had never witnessed a birth before, never been asked to photograph one either. But my brother and my sister in law are so special to me, they mean the world to me and I wanted to do something for them. This was something I could do for them, simple enough right??
Rob and Steph had been trying to get pregnant for some time and I had been on this journey with them from the beginning. I remember teaching my brother how to give Steph the injections because she couldn’t do it herself. Oh how I remember praying for them to be pregnant, hoping with them. We held onto the hope that they would be parents just as they had wished for so long. They had a roller coaster of emotions, loss, fear, happiness, sadness and finally it’s true, she’s pregnant. She is elated, all she’s ever wanted was to be a momma, she has dreamed of this her whole life, and the time is here.
Stephanie is strong, she is determined, she is an amazing person. It was an honor for her to ask me to photograph this day for her. She didn’t want to forget anything, she didn’t want to miss any tiny detail. Steph wanted to remember every moment of this day. It took so long to get to this place, she wanted proof that she was here. She wanted to be able to look back and remember this day forever. Steph started in labor early on January 29th 2013, she tried to have him naturally, her body wouldn’t cooperate. After an epidural and a much needed nap her Dr said it’s time.
I was so blessed to watch this miracle unfold; my brother was such an amazing husband to Stephanie, stroking her hair, getting ice chips, holding her hand. Stephanie was a trooper, she is so strong and was able to give birth in just a few pushes. She pulled Sutton up on to her chest and as he began to cry so did Rob and Steph. That moment they had been waiting for after all those years. All those pills, all the injections, the procedures, the heartache and the hope…… he was here.
That day seemed to take forever, waiting, waiting so impatiently, just wanting to finally meet that baby. At last, as the evening is upon us – He was here.
The nurses tended to Sutton as Rob watched carefully to make sure his son knew he was there, Stephanie couldn’t take her eyes off him, the Dr. took care of Steph, everything was good, and everybody was healthy and happy. Life couldn’t get better.
They wanted to be surprised to find out if the baby was a boy or girl so we found out together as she lifted him onto her chest! My brother has a son, I have another nephew! Such an amazing gift to be apart of, what a blessing. The soon to be grandparents all waited patiently outside in the waiting room meanwhile I was the only one to witness those first few moments of raw emotion-love at its finest.
New momma and daddy carefully inspected their brand new gift, 10 fingers, 10 toes, beautiful eyes, perfect nose. What more could they ask for? Their prayers were answered. This road was not easy or quick, but they never lost hope and determination. Their son was here. Welcome to this world Sutton Trace. While Stephanie and Rob received a gift they had been hoping for I too received a gift that night that I didn’t even know I wanted. I would have never known what I was missing out on, I am so thankful to have been a part of that amazing day.
