A little over a year ago, I had the honor of telling the birth story of my baby cousin, Myah June. Her daddy is my first cousin, and I was thrilled to be able to be there to see his baby girl join the family!
The big day, January 13, 2016, began at Matt's mom's house, very early in the morning. Anna was scheduled that day for a c-section and I joined them at home while they all got ready to head to the hospital. The apartment was full of excited and nervous energy. No one had slept much the night before, yet everyone was so full of excitement that you'd never be able to tell!
Once it was time to leave, I followed them to The Baby Place at Park Ridge Health and we headed inside to get ready for a sweet new member of the family! One of Anna's sisters met us there and she along with Matt's mom, and I all anxiously chit-chatted about what Myah might look like, what time she might actually be born, as as probably some comments about how adorable Anna's belly was!
When the time came for Matt and Anna to head into the OR to meet their baby girl, the rest of us hunkered down in the viewing room awaiting the moment we would hear her cry. Unfortunately, at this time, Park Ridge only allows one person into the OR with the mom during a c-section, so I wasn't able to be in there for Myah's birth, but the thing I really love about this hospital is the viewing room! It allows the family to be able to still feel like they're a part of the birth. Once Myah was born and they were bringing her over to the warmer to examine and clean her up a bit, one of the medical staff members opened up the blinds and held her up to the window for all of us to see!
I always give my Aunt Shari, Matt's mom, a hard time because she is a very emotional person and is known for crying at the drop of a hat. And of course, she didn't disappoint under these happy circumstances. I love that I was able to capture the beautiful embrace between Matt and Anna's moms, Myah's two grandmothers. They grabbed each other and cried happy tears after seeing their perfect granddaughter.
Once we were told we could go back to the room, some more family members and friends had shown up to join us and Myah had a big welcome within her first few hours after birth! Anna received some breastfeeding help from her sister and everyone got their turn holding and bonding with this sweet baby girl.
The next few pictures are so special to me and I'm sure to the rest of our family. Matt and my grandparents came to the hospital that day to meet their first great-granddaughter. As soon as Matt saw them come into the room, he grabbed Myah and handed her over to our grandma. The look of pure love and joy on her face in these photos gives me chills. Our grandma passed away a month and a half ago, and these memories are so precious. I loved them before, but I love them even more now. It makes me so happy to know that Myah, though she won't remember her great-grandma, will have these memories forever!
After Grandma was finished holding Myah, it was Grandpa's turn. He wasn't so sure at first. He said something along the lines of "No, she's too small, I don't need to hold her." This makes me laugh because it's so common. When I document birth stories or really any type of newborn session, men always seem hesitant to hold those tiny, brand new babies. It's like they're scared they'll break the baby with their strong manly hands! Haha! Cracks me up! It didn't take too much convincing though and Grandpa was holding Myah. Soon after, he began singing to her. I believe it was "Jesus Loves Me" or something like that. And then he started to cry. It was the sweetest thing.
Anna's sisters and mom all had their turns with this sweet new baby girl as well! I loved watching them all interact with each other and with Myah. The room was full of people, but even more so, it was filled with so much love! I know that sounds so cheesy and cliche but it's completely true and I think you can see that from these pictures.
I can't believe Myah is now over a year old. She's talking a little, walking, cracking up at cat videos on YouTube (apparently it starts young guys), and she is just the absolutely sweetest little girl. I can't get enough of her!
Myah June's Fresh48 session will be coming up on the blog later this week, so keep an eye out for it!
Thank you Matt and Anna for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful day in your lives! I will never forget it! <3
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Birth Stories
12
- Jul 17, 2017 Hendersonville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Payton Blair | A Pardee Hospital birth of a baby girl Jul 17, 2017
- Jul 9, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Delaney Jade | A WNC Birth Center labor and delivery Jul 9, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Jan 12, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Bishop Kai | A Weaverville, NC VBAC home birth Jan 12, 2017
- Sep 10, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Benjamin Spurgeon | A Mission hospital scheduled c-section Sep 10, 2016
- Apr 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Birth Story: Hadelyn Grace | The pregnancy journey and Park Ridge hospital birth of a baby girl Apr 19, 2016
- Mar 19, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: AnnaBeth | A Franklin, NC hospital birth of a rainbow baby girl Mar 19, 2016
- Dec 23, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital scheduled c-section birth of a baby girl Dec 23, 2015
- Aug 12, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | A Birth Story: Eleck & Cora Jo | The beautiful scheduled c-section of twin babies Aug 12, 2015
- May 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Athaelia Eden} | The Unmedicated Hospital Birth of a New Baby Girl May 8, 2015
- Dec 19, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photography | {A Birth Story: Cooper Haze!} Dec 19, 2014
- Nov 12, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | {A Birth Story: Olive Piper} Beautiful baby girl hospital birth | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 12, 2014
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Day in the Life
6
- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 20, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary Family Photographer | A Day in the Life: The McElrath Family | A photojournalistic family session Jul 20, 2016
- Aug 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Day in the Life: The Liebl Family | A peek into the life of a Florida family Aug 28, 2015
- May 29, 2015 Asheville, NC Documentary Photography | {A Day in the Life: Terry & Jenny} | A look into the life of a New York City couple May 29, 2015
- Dec 11, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Holi-Day in the Life: The Kennedys!} Christmas Family Traditions & Tree Cutting Dec 11, 2014
- Nov 1, 2014 Asheville, NC Storytelling Family Photography | {A Day in the Life: Freeman Style!} Real life with a toddler & a 5 year old | Jessie Fultz Photography Nov 1, 2014
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Events/Parties
3
- Oct 13, 2016 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photographer | A Birthday Party Story: Jade Turns Two! | A rainbow unicorn pool party Oct 13, 2016
- Dec 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Birthday Story: Abigail Turns 5 | An outdoor Minions-themed little girl's birthday party Dec 8, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Baby Acosta | A Florida couple's pink and blue gender reveal party Aug 27, 2015
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Fresh48
6
- Mar 23, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health hospital newborn photo session Mar 23, 2017
- Mar 20, 2017 Asheville, NC Birth Photographer | A Birth Story: Myah June | A Park Ridge Health scheduled c-section of a baby girl Mar 20, 2017
- Dec 24, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Ayla Maeve | A mission hospital newborn photo session Dec 24, 2015
- Nov 28, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photographer | A Fresh48 Story: Introducing Ashton Nolan | A documentary hospital newborn photo session Nov 28, 2015
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Nov 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth and Family Photographer | {Fresh48: Olive Piper} Newborn hospital photos Nov 22, 2014
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Maternity
4
- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Karen & Josh | A West Asheville couple awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jan 23, 2016 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: The Farris Family | A family of three Biltmore Estate maternity photo session Jan 23, 2016
- Dec 22, 2014 Asheville, NC Birth & Family Photography | {Waiting on Oakley!} Downtown Waynesville, NC Maternity Photo Session Dec 22, 2014
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New Baby
5
- Aug 27, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A Fresh48 Story: Eleanor Maya | An in-home, family-centered welcoming of a newborn baby girl Aug 27, 2015
- Aug 14, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Phebe Katherine | A sweet baby girl's in-home, lifestyle newborn photo session Aug 14, 2015
- Jul 8, 2015 Asheville, NC Newborn Photography | A New Baby Story: Handsome Mr. Oakley Cole | An in-home lifestyle newborn photo shoot Jul 8, 2015
- Jun 2, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Newborn Photography | {A New Baby Story: Sweet Baby Eve} | A North Carolina lifestyle newborn and family photo session Jun 2, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015
- Proposals 1
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Storytelling Sessions
6
- Mar 28, 2018 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Christina & Jonathan | A day in the life of a couple awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Charlie Mar 28, 2018
- Jul 25, 2017 Asheville, NC Maternity Photographer | A Pregnancy Story: Karen & Josh | A West Asheville couple awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Maeve Jul 25, 2017
- Jun 26, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary & Lifestyle Photographer | A Proposal Story: Isaac + Corianna | A Craggy Gardens, NC surprise marriage proposal Jun 26, 2016
- Mar 21, 2016 Asheville, NC Documentary Family Photographer | A Surprise Story: The Heasley/Kennedy Family | A Hendersonville, NC family's surprise visit Mar 21, 2016
- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Family Photography | A Short Story: The Baker Family | A Hendersonville lifestyle family pregnancy announcement photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Nov 27, 2014 Asheville, NC Documentary Storytelling Family Photography | {A Toddler's Story: Lane is 2!} A day in the life of a two year old Nov 27, 2014
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Watch Me Grow
3
- Nov 20, 2015 Asheville, NC Baby & Family Photographer | Watch Me Grow: Finley Rhea's 8th Month | A outdoor lifestle baby photo session Nov 20, 2015
- Jul 7, 2015 Asheville, NC Birth & Baby Photography | Grayson Matthew's 6 Month Session | A North Carolina documentary baby bath session Jul 7, 2015
- Feb 3, 2015 Asheville, NC Lifestyle Photography | {Watch Me Grow} New Baby Finley Rhea | Beautiful Hendersonville, NC Lifestyle Baby Girl Newborn Session Feb 3, 2015