Analeigh's 4th Birthday Memorial

Today I got to do something that was special and sad. 4 years ago, one of the best mothers I know lost her first baby, Analeigh, 1 hour after birth. Today would have been her 4th birthday, so they went to the tree they planted in her memory on her 1st birthday, planted flowers, and released balloons with their other 2 children. I got to photograph it for them. Sheli has become a friend of mine, and when she first told me the story of Analeigh's life, I was at a loss for words. She had a healthy, full term, no complications pregnancy. She labored normally, contracted normally, everything was fine until the last 10 minutes. Analeigh's heart rate dropped and didn't come back up. When the midwives realized something was wrong, they did an emergency episiotomy and took her out quickly. The chord was wrapped around her neck 6 times. She was blue from head to toe. Her heart was beating, but she never took a breath. Her APGAR score was a 1, only because she had a heart beat. Instead of rushing her to the hospital to try to put off the inevitable, they chose to spend an hour with their baby girl, getting to hold on and love her until she slipped away. Why is this so special and strong meaning to me? I didn't know Sheli back then, so why am I so effected by it? I think that what she went through is my biggest nightmare. Preparing for a baby, feeling baby move, going into labor fully expecting to have a baby come home with you and leave with nothing. To see this little child you have loved from the moment you knew you would have her, and watch her slip away. That is just something I can't even imagine. So, being able to watch them remember her life with their other two children, born after Analeigh, was just very special to me. Sheli is the type of mother I wish I could be, the kind I try to be. She has more patience than I think I could even try to have, she is so kind hearted and smart, and I try to emulate her when I interact with my children. I am so happy that they speak of Analeigh like they should, like she is a current member of their family, just not present. To go what they went through and to be as strong and loving as they are now, is amazing to me. Anyway, these are a few photos from the memorial today.

Heather & Justin

This beautiful family is always so much fun to work with! I first met them around Easter, when I did pictures of Libby their daughter. This time, we celebrated their 5 year anniversary! They were such troopers, we hiked through my neighbors farm (cow patties and all!) and they are so in love that the shots were easy to get!

Weddings, Weddings, Everywhere

I had the extreme pleasure this week of photographing the wedding for a friend, Emelie. It was a hand fasting ceremony, beautifully different than a traditional marriage ceremony. In fact, it is what my husband and I have wanted to do (when we finally have a ceremony). Being a part of this day for this couple was amazing!

Nursing!

I am so blessed that a very regular part of my job is to capture the amazing bond between a nursing mother and her child (or children). I LOVE being able to capture these moments for a mother, for her to look back on when her child gets older. The bond between a mom (and even dad) and her breastfed baby is like nothing else, and to get to see it on a regular basis is worth getting out of bed for!

Adorable Alyssa

I got to play with an adorable Soon-To-Be Big Sister Alyssa the other day. She is so beautiful, and look at those  blue eyes!