Oh happy day! John's birth story

Everyone should have a friend like Emily.  She is the most sincere, true blue friend you could ever ask for. Anything we do together is fun, and I know that if I ever needed anything, no matter what it was, or what time of day I called on her, she would make it happen.  When she asked me to be a part of her birth story, I jumped at the chance.  Having been on the receiving end of her never failing thoughtfulness so many times, I was thrilled to get the chance to repay the debt in some small way.  Being able to be there as she brought her second baby, and first son, into this world was an honor... and I felt like even though I had entered the room with the intention of giving her a gift, being there during that time was much more of a gift for me than my pictures could be for her!

As you will see, little baby John has been welcomed into a family who is overjoyed to have him.  His birthday was such a happy day!  Johnny and Emily smiled through her quick, almost painless labor (thank you epidural!), smiled through the birth, and haven't stopped smiling since.  

There is something magical about the first moments of a baby's life.  It's a time when the distance between heaven and earth seem nearly non existent.  They're almost in the same place at one time.  The first time you finally get to see the face of the little baby you've carried for 9 months... magic.  The look on the face of the daddy as his eyes fall so tenderly on the woman who gave him another baby... magic.  The look of satisfaction on mommy's face as she gazes from the hospital bed over to where her husband waits for the nurses to complete their monitoring of the baby, to scoop him up, and take him to his mommy... magic.  The first time the family comes to embrace the baby who has joined their family, adorned with smiles and giggles, and arms eager to hold and love the little baby they've been anticipating for so many months... it's all magic.

I'll let the video tell you the rest of the story.  But what a happy day this was!

John's Birth Story from kelsey crowder on Vimeo.

Baby John's Birth Story Sneak Peek

I'll let the sneak peek tell the story for now, until the full post and birth story video are up... but I will say this: it was a happy day!  This birth story is full of smiles, and excitement, and you can just feel it as you watch... Can't wait for the full post of this sweet baby's magical birth!

The Birth Story of Kade Mason

I thought if I finished the birth story, and let my thoughts have a little more time to form themselves that I would know what I wanted to say today.  Not the case.  I wish I could fine an eloquent way to convey the thoughts and emotions that were felt through the nearly 24 hour process, but this is the best I can do...

"There are thoughts which are prayers.  There are moments when, no matter the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees." 
-Victor Hugo

I would say that I will always remember the feeling in that room while Rachelle labored was a combination of willful persistence, and reverence. And in the moments right before Kade's birth, I will always remember the fear that I felt in the pit of my stomach when the nurses rushed in, and the quiet, reverent room became chaos.  

I will always remember them wheeling my best friend away and leaving her husband standing in the hall.  And then watching him turn back into the then empty room we had spent so many hours in, and falling to his knees in prayer.  I will never forget the tears that ran down his cheeks as he pleaded for the lives of his precious wife and unborn child.  That memory will stand as a testament to the power of faith in something bigger than ourselves... and a reminder that "ordinary miracles" happen every day.

The feeling of relief that came when I could hear that perfect, little newborn cry through the operating door... and the way my heart felt when we got to the other side, and could hold that sweet baby, and hug my sister in law, knowing they were safe...  There really aren't words for that.  

Rachelle keeps telling me she doesn't know how she can ever thank me enough for capturing this for them... I feel the same way.  This experience was incredible, and I loved every exciting, scary, confusing, amazing, wonderful second.  It's such a blessing to have people in my life that I love so much... and even more so to get to be around to love another little blessing from the very, very start...

Kade's Birth Story from kelsey crowder on Vimeo.

Kade's Birth Story Sneak...

Here's a sneak of Rachelle and baby Kade's emotional birth story.  Luckily the pictures tell the story all on their own, because I don't think I'd be able to find the words to describe it if I sat here for 3 weeks.  I don't think the words exist...