Sweet baby brother {Newborn Photography}

I had the incredible...no, that's not the word. EXTREME .... not sure that covers it either...Well, let's keep it simple. I was blessed last week when, early Monday morning, I received a phone call from a dear friend - she was in labor. We had planned to do her maternity pictures in just two days but that baby was coming NOW. We had talked about me photographing the birth of little Max (a home birth) and I had hoped that he would come at a time when I would have a babysitter for my kids. What better time than 3 am? :)

I threw on some clothes, grabbed my gear and ran out the door. I had NO idea what to expect. I had 3 c-sections, never once experience a REAL contraction, and the entire "labor and delivery" process was a great mystery to me. Movies do not do it justice. :) Max's mom was...awe-inspiring. And it's not because she quietly focused and labored with her loved ones nearby...although I must say PEACEFUL was the word of the hour. :) We smiled and laughed in between contactions and then gradually they became stronger. Soon Max's mom had hardly any time to rest in between and the midwife quietly let her know that if she didn't try to get over to the birthing chair soon, she just might have that little boy right where she was. (Which was fine, of course!)

Max's dad and their friend/doula carefully guided his beloved into the next room where just moments passed and Max had arrived. Tears all around, smiles and hushed praise and thanksgiving to the One who had created this tiny miracle. (Not to mention YAY! Mama did it!) :)

One week has passed and I have not yet lost my wonder at the miracle of birth - how amazingly and wonderfully our bodies are made! And not just the tiny newbies but their incredible mothers as well! And for the record - I know that PHYSICALLY it's not as hard on the fathers but emotionally and mentally, they are involved. Watching Max's dad encourage and strengthen his sweet wife - knowing he'd do more if only he could - but this was HER time to be hurting and HIS time to support her....yes the fathers are amazing as well. :)

Little Max and his mom and older brother came to visit one week after he was born...he's only gotten cuter. :) A couple favorites and a slideshow because I am not capable of choosing just one or two... I have to say, I'm disappointed in the colors of the slideshow but eh...he's just so cute :)

You can see the slideshow at http://www.elisabethnixonphotography.com/MartinezNB

Boo-yaaahhhhhhhhh!

Joshua&Emily-124, a photo by elisabethnixon on Flickr.

So I have....well....about two years (at LEAST) of blogging to catch up on. I'll get to that later. But I want to share one picture - just one. :) I'm insanely/rediculously/totally/*insert other "-ly" type words* PROUD of this picture. I can't even remember how it happened - but these two were SO much fun to photograph. :) Then we pulled out the super cool Samurai-sword-style-umbrella and as the sun flashed through it when they opened the umbrella, IT HIT ME. Make out behind the umbrella. Yup, been done before - even by me - but I've never had it turn out this good for me. :) So yeah, here's me - proclaiming my love for a photo I recently took. I don't do this often....and you can ask Joshua and Emily - I totally shouted, punched my fist into the air like *THIS*, twirled around and then jumped A.LOT. The whole time saying, "Yes! YES! I got it! YAAAYYY!" :) Very non-humble of me, I know. At least I can admit it, right? ;)

And baby makes three...

It has taken me far too long to share images from these sessions...but better late than never, right? :) Leslie and Harry, this little man is simply precious and I hope you are enjoying your snuggles, smiles & even the sleepless moments together!! It's a long post...sorry, but I had too many favorites to cut it down any further...

 

 

 

2 Year Slideshow

Yes I know - shocker - two posts in just a couple of days! :) I wanted to share this - yes, the cuteness that IS Olive Juice - but also, the sweet talent of a dear friend, Amy Thomas. She and I spent a lot of time oohing and ahhing over Olive when she was really little and Amy would sing for me the newest song she had written. Then I selfishly asked her to write one for me, never thinking she'd really have time to do it. She surprised me not even one week later with it.

And on Olivia's birthday Thursday Amy came with her gift - a CD with this song, Olive Juice....seriously the best gift EVER. She took my babbling "new mommy words" and sentiments and turned it into the sweetest song ever. Thank you SO MUCH, Amy. I don't know if you realize how much this means to me...

Happy Birthday to our sweet Olive Juice...Oliva :)

Olivia is a little girl known by several names. Olivia. Oliva. Olive. Olive Juice. O. There are more but I can't think of them all right now. Tomorrow is her birthday and I absolutely cannot believe two years have gone by. It all makes me SO sad, and yet really excited. Of course, the fact that she is two means Micah is almost 8 and Ella is getting closer to 6. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? :)

In honor of her birthday I'm bringing back the little slideshow I made last year out of the images Matthew took on her birth day. :) Thank you AGAIN Matthew, for such a lovely gift. I didn't know those pictures were even there until a year ago and I'm so thankful for that little present! :)