Every time I see a newborn I am surprised at how small they are.
This stage is so fleeting yet it is one of the very best. It makes you think about eternity, humanity, your past, and your future. Each birth is special. Each child is a gift.
Over the last few years I've had a lot of friends and relatives have babies. This is not surprising given the fact that I myself am in my child bearing years. Here are some images I have been able to capture of people I love during one of the most significant times of their life. They were all taken in hospitals either the day of their birth or the next day. Please enjoy!
Alora Sanchez
Amy (mom) is my cousin and I was honored to be able to be there for Alora's birth. It was such an amazing delivery. The room was bright, everyone was happy, and the birth was quick and beautiful. I have seen several births and I have never been to one with such a calm and uplifting feel. Alora came out strong. She fought off the nurses who were trying to clean her up. She could lift her head from day one and had such big beautiful eyes that stared with intent. This is Amy and Roman's first child. They had to go through a very rough road to get to this point and I am so grateful that not only were they able to have this sweet child but that I could be there for the birth. I love you baby Alora!
Maura Lilly
Cameron (dad) is my cousin. He and his wife Alyssa lived in the same triplex as us in Rexburg, Idaho. Both Cameron and Alyssa come from very large very loving families. Maura is their first child and such a chunk! She came out looking like a two month old! Usually newborns are pretty scrawny but not this little girl. I myself am particularly fond of chubby babies so that made her one of the cutest newborns I have ever seen. Such a sweetie!
Dominic Weeks
Rachel (mom) is my cousin. Starting to see a theme aren't you? Rachel is my age and we grew up together and went to school together since 8th grade. She is the reason I moved to Rexburg in the first place. We were roommates and she married Albert who what Nate's roommate. Thats how Nate and I met. Rachel is one of those girls who people said she was born to be a mother since she was young. She has a sweetness about her. Dominic is her third baby and second son. He has been a great addition to their growing family.
Charlie Busath
Now this baby has no relation to me. Nate and I met his parents Chad and Megan Busath at church. They were the choir directors and Nate and I were two of like 8 people in the choir (on a good day). Since it was such a small group we got to know them pretty well and became friends. They are lifetime solid friends that we will always stay connected with. Charlie is their first born. He was a big baby and look at those squishy cheeks! Love them.
Harrison Bird aka "Hank the Tank"
Jerdanna (mom) is one of my very best friends. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to Rexburg but we weren't close until after a few semesters. When I first saw her I thought she was the most beautiful girl ever and if I could look like anyone it would be her. Who knew that we'd become roommates and eventually best friends. This is her precious little guy. His birth was actually pretty terrifying but everything ended well. He grew so fast over the next several months and became the biggest baby I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Erik Mower
This is my sweet nephew! Ethan (dad) is Nate's brother. Erik was the first grand baby born on Nate's side of the family. Look at that hair! Pretty cool. I wanted to dress him up in skater clothes to match his haircut. Erik was born three months before Blaine and I wished for Blaine to be born with Erik's hair. Blaine had some hair but not as much or as long. I think babies are so dang cute with hair. Looking at this image makes me miss the days of being in Rexburg with Ethan and his wife Diedre. We hung out with them pretty much daily and did all kinds of fun things with them from cooking steak by the river to kayaking. *sigh. Good times.
Samuel Connolly
Esther (mom) is my cousin. Her and Justin picked Sammy's name way before he was born. Justin promised to name his first son after one of his missionary companions and he held true to his word. Esther is a labor and delivery nurse. She was working at the hospital when I had Neal but she was never my nurse since I had to skip labor and delivery and go right in for a C-section. But she would come and visit me during her breaks in the middle of the night. Esther had a pretty rough birthing experience. She's a pretty tough girl so thats saying something. One this is clear though. She loves her baby boy! It's so fun to see her enjoy motherhood.
Mya Bates
Last but not least my niece Mya! Andrea (mom) is my sister and this is the only one of my sisters that I have been able to visit them this close after birth. Mya is Andrea's second child but first girl! She was born with hair that stuck up just like a toy troll (her hair is wet in this image). She was such a funny little baby because she preferred to be set on the floor rather than be held. She only liked to be held when she was sleepy. You get a lot more done with a baby like that!
Thanks for taking the time to get to know some of the little people in my life. These little ones are such a joy to be around and I am so happy I was able to be there for all of these people that I love.
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