The boys could not WAIT to meet the little miss!!

Well – Fitzy couldn’t wait! So – we took Missy & Cody lunch on a Sunday and spent the day watching cooking shows and snuggling that sweet little thing!

I have a SERIOUS problem!!

BABY GIRL – you’re such a sweet little miracle!

MORE OF EVERYTHING PLEASE!!

BABY SHARK DO DO DO DO DO!!!

I just LOVE his expressions!!

OUTSIDE IN EARLY JANUARY!? YES PLEASE!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY *G*!!!

RAWR!!!!

That guy – he’s DARLING!

That guy – that’s his aunt he’s hugging – his aunt before she’s a momma herself – that SPECIAL bond!!

I CAN’T EVEN DEAL!!

ONE MORE PARTY POST!!

Can you believe that I’ve known Stephanie for TEN years!? I really can’t!

I also can’t believe that her biggest little guy is SIX!!

*G* had a JURASSIC PARK party – so I had to show him my tattoo – because it’s also my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!

Stephanie was an aunt to this sweet girl before she was a momma to her own kiddos – and it’s such a BEAUTIFUL bond!

BEST SHIRT EVER!!

Stephanie may have opened up her little guy’s gift to build it – BEFORE the party started!!

It’s VERY dangerous to have a baby around me when I have a camera – birthday parties – weddings – you name it – I WILL FIND THE BABY AND TAKE ALL THE PICTURES!!

Stay tuned for MORE of the party!!

I spent the afternoon with Missy & Cody about a week after Grace was born – getting baby snuggles and taking some pictures!!

WOULD YOU LOOK AT HER ROLLS!!

I mean – honestly – LOOK AT THAT FACE!! ANGELIC!!

Hey baby girl – you better get used to the clickity click of that camera!!

ABSOLUTELY DARLING!!

Grace upon grace upon SO MUCH grace!!

THOSE SQUISHY LIPS!!

I just can’t stop!!

Those shots – MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!

BABY GIRL!!! YOU ARE ACTUALLY HERE!!!!

THIS!!! THIS MOMENT!!!

Watching Missy bring this sweet girl into the world was one of the most impactful moments of my life so far!

I’ve walked the past 7 years with her. There has been so much pain and heartache – followed with so much joy and grace – and now – GRACE! It was overwhelming!!

Those are my favorite shots!!

Birth tricks you – you have your baby and it’s AMAZING – but then you remember that it’s not over!

THIS PHOTO – SO MUCH in this photo!!

LOOK AT THOSE FAT LITTLE FEET!!

AND – AND I GOT TO CUT HER CORD!!! SERIOUSLY – such a beautiful moment!!

OH BABY GIRL!!! I just can’t even deal with how much you are loved!!

SO CLOSE TO 8 POUNDS!!! WHAT!!!

Cody – holding his baby girl!! After she was born – I turned around and hugged him while we both SOBBED – SO MUCH GRACE in this picture!!

CODY & MISSY – I know I’ve written it so many times – I know I’ve told you SO MANY times – but thank you!!

THANK YOU for letting me walk so closely with you. Thank you for asking me to be there for her first breath on Earth!!

You guys – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

I spent 18 hours in the life of Missy & Cody – 18 of some of the most intense hours in anyone’s life – and we still love each other – AND – AND – I didn’t miss it!!

Missy was able to rest (as best as you can while in labor) for a small chunk of the evening into the early morning.

Cody, Missy’s mom, and I were able to drift on and off in the hospital chairs as best as you can imagine …

But then it started!

And she says baby … it’s 3 AM and I don’t want to push out this baby!

December 27th – 3 AM – let’s start pushing. I say us like it’s a group effort!

So tired – so very very tired – and so close to meeting her little girl – but it still seems so far!

There’s not much I feel like I can do to help. She’s going to be in pain no matter what. That pain WILL end.

BUT until then – I CAN get cold washcloths!

And it REALLY starts!

These photos – this part was hard for me.

I don’t have much sympathy and empathy in general – but watching my dearest friend be so close to meeting her daughter and feeling the contraction come and knowing that she has to push but doesn’t really want to … ooooh – that was hard to watch!!

AND THERE SHE IS!!!

AND I very seriously got so wrapped up in the emotion of the moment – that I forgot I was taking pictures!

The focus isn’t where I would love for it to be – but I think you can still feel the emotion in this moment!! In fact – I KNOW you can!

OH MY HEART!!! She’s here – after 2 hours & 18 minutes of pushing – about 33 hours of labor all together – and 9 years (yes – years) of waiting for this little girl – SHE IS HERE!!

That tiny tear – that FRESH baby – that beautiful MIRACLE!!

You’ve seen me post about Missy. And her husband Cody. And their kiddos.

When their youngest when born – Missy and I were just starting our friendship. I had planned on photographing his birth but he came early and I wasn’t in town.

I could have made it. I could have rearranged my schedule. But – I didn’t. And they’ve never let me live it down!

Missy and I have grown so very close over the past seven years – and when they found out that Grace would be here – the big joke was that I would miss it.

Missy & Johna are my dearest friends. Missy was due December 30th and Johna’s adoption ceremony was December 21st. I couldn’t possibly miss either. Johna was there when my boys were born. My two dearest friends were laboring and I HAD to be there for them. I told Missy that she could go into labor anytime – Christmas Eve – Christmas morning – just NOT on the 21st!!

Thankfully – she didn’t!! WHEW!!

And I was able to be there for Johna’s “birth” and make it to Missy’s!

She was induced on December 26th and I came up after my morning session!

Missy labors loooooooooooong. I got there at 11 am. And we waited. And waited. And waited.

And played some UNO to pass the time.

And face-timed with Aiden.

I LOVE THAT PICTURE!!! Women are AMAZING!

We help create life. We carry that life. We bring that life into this world. And we nourish is. But man oh man – or woman oh woman – does it HURT!!

Missy’s mom and I thought that we might have a baby by 8 pm. Surely she’ll have a December 26th birthday …

I photographed Carolyn & her family TOO long ago!!

She asked about an extended family session over the Christmas break!

BROTHERS!!

SISTERS!!

SISTERS!!

Those little tykes! ADORABLE!!

THE WHOLE FAMILY!!

It was a chilly day – a little TOO chilly for the little ones!

Sometimes – with little ones – and chilly mornings – THIS is the best you get!

He was NOT willing to kiss his sister – but a HUG!

SISTERS!!

CAROLYN – thank you SO MUCH for asking me to capture your family this year! I hope you guys are warmed up from our session!!

CHRISTMAS! Over & done with – ALREADY!!

Over Thanksgiving – Jared & Fitzy went to a Lakers game in Cleveland – so that was most of Fitzy’s Christmas present!!

BUT – he knew he would have a few gifts under the tree!!

Board games & basketball shoes & a HOT WHEELS set & more games. Books & socks & a watch.

We took Jared’s parents to Corning to make a Christmas tree or a snowman for Christmas! The boys picked trees – the orange one is Enoch’s!

Those Barden brothers. They are something else!

Enoch & Fitzy shopped at the thrift store shop their school held! Fitzy got his brother a floor puzzle – he got Jared a book & he got me two necklaces.

Enoch got Jared a book & me an ornament. They spent a total of $2.50 – it was THE BEST!!

After presents – we spent the morning with the neighbors!

Fitzy read the Christmas story this year. Sometimes I forget that he can read!!

The boys were QUITE surprised about their video games!!

We had a relaxing Christmas with our families! HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS!?