Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Kinsley Grace

This is Kinsley’s Birth Story

Kinsley Grace entered the world in just about 5 hard pushes by her Mama, ON her due date. Literally 9 minutes after midnight on her actual due date. She arrived healthy and perfect, and even gave a few tiny “smiles” for her birth video- I wonder if this is any indication of what her little personality will be like? ♡

Salem, Oregon Birth Photographer | Shelby Blanton Photography

If you know Kinsley’s Mama (Lea) and Daddy (Jeremy), you’ll know the journey they went through to have their two beautiful children. Kinsley and her big brother Carter were born through IVF, and they are both so unbelievably adored. I think one of my favorite things about this family besides the immense love they have for eachother~ is how important the little details are to them. From Lea’s carefully thought out birth plan, (NO PAIN MEDS, FRIENDS! Yes, she is amazing!) to Kinsley’s personalized embroidered blanket; you can tell that Lea has dreamed of being a Momma her entire life. (She did the same thing for big brother Carter’s arrival!) I LOVE that they had big brother come to the hospital during the beginning stages of their induction, and that they face timed with him to say “goodnight” from their delivery room.

Salem, Oregon Birth Photographer | Shelby Blanton Photography

Lea and Jeremy were an incredible team; Lea listened to her body and Jeremy remembered Lea’s cues from her last labor with Carter. Through her waves, Lea would go from concentration, to instantly being absolutely GIDDY thinking about getting to hold her daughter soon. It was THE sweetest! I was so happy to be there with them during this time. Also! Lea’s Mom lives in Florida and was unable to be there to meet her newest Granddaughter- but she DID get to meet her via Face time directly after birth. That was such a sweet moment I put into the video for them to remember! I think that is one of my favorite things about getting to be a birth photographer.. I LOVE preserving these moments for my families!

The last thing I wanted to write before I introduce Kinsley’s Birth Video- is that her big brother Carter ALSO had a birth photographer capture his birth. I was actually able to find the exact same song that was used from his birth video, and I added it as the ending song for Kinsley’s slideshow. I thought that would be a sweet little detail to connect their birth stories :) And now, I’ll share what you came here to see! ;) THANK YOU to the lovely K family for allowing me to share the precious birth story of Kinsley Grace!

Welcome to the world, little beauty!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Evelyn

This is Evelyn's birth story

When I first met Mama, she told me she was interested in having her daughter's birth photographed because she felt like there were so many parts of her son's birth that she wanted to be able to remember better- but it was just such a blur.  A happy, emotional, blur.  I really feel like that is the reason why birth photography is so important to me.. It's TRUE.  The labor and birth of your child is one of the most precious moment's of your life (if not THEE most precious..) It's a time that you wish so badly you could freeze in that moment and return to it years down the road.  When Mama sees this video, I hope it'll pull her right back in, to that day.  To the anticipation of riding in the car for her induction with a doctor that she absolutely LOVED and had such a connection with.  And remembering that she wanted some peanut M&M's while she was laboring (and she got them right after baby arrived!!!)  I want her to remember her husband by her side telling her sweetly he wished there was something he could do to help her- and the way that he looked at her while she was laboring, and how he admired her holding their baby girl.  It is my biggest wish that she will remember how excited her son was when he burst in the room running to see "myyy babyyyyyyy!"  (I'm pretty excited for baby girl to get to see this video someday, too!!!  Her big brother fell in love with her in just seconds!)  I want Mama to see this video and see how beautiful she is, and how beautiful her family is.  She and her husband have created this precious family together, and that is something worth celebrating.     

Etzel family, thank you so much for giving me the honor of working with you. 

Welcome to the World, sweet Evelyn!

Salem, Oregon Photographer: Birth Photography | Braxton

You know those birth video's where babies are born en route to the hospital?  This birth story was almost one of these.  Mama got checked into L&D at 8:11am and sweet little man arrived in a hurry at 9:12... YEP you read that right!  

Braxton Zade | 4.16.16

So, Mama was 40.6 days pregnant, and had a scheduled induction for 4/17.  Judging by how her pregnancy was, I had a sneaking suspicion that little guy might come before then.  I joked with her, that he will probably decide to come the day before her induction.  HE DID!  I woke up to my phone ringing at 6:56am with Mama saying "My water broke!"  She said the contractions weren't SUPER close together, but I jumped up and grabbed my bags and a cup of coffee and waited for word.  A few moments later I got a text from her.. "They are getting pretty close together- and strong."  I told her I was headed to the hospital!  (Side note.. I had a SUPER SUPER fast labor with my little guy, and her pregnancy reminded me SO much for mine, I just felt like it was going to be quick!!)  I got to the Salem Health Family Birth Center at the Hospital and headed up to L&D.  When I got there, she was in triage getting checked in. 

After that, things went..... QUICK.

Her midwife and L&D nurses were BEYOND incredible <3

Like I said, it went quick : )

Welcome to the World, precious boy!

I'll leave you with the slideshow from this incredible birth story.  This might sound silly, but this video makes me cry every time I see it!  I think the part that gets me the most, is knowing that Mama's Mother was supposed to be in the delivery room, but her birth literally went SO fast she missed it by just minutes.  However, I was able to capture her family's expressions as they first met their sweet little addition.  And, the first boy in their family for a while!  It was just beautiful. Young Family, I was SO honored to help preserve this beautiful moment for you <3

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