Jonah Reid Stradtner was born at home in the water on a Saturday evening. Just a few days shy of 42 weeks pregnant, he arrived in his own time and in his own way. It was intense, he was born with his hand next to his face, and insanely fast, yet beautiful. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long. He has the cutest squishy face, he still loves his hand up next to his head, even on the outside, and he has has the best quivering lip I’ve ever seen.
My husband is amazing. He never once waivered in his confidence in my ability to do this at home, unmedicated, for the first time. He believed in me and supported me when I gave up at the end and begged to stay pregnant forever. He held me up when I couldn’t, quite literally, stand on my own and he never left my side. This was such a huge, bonding, experience for our family, one I will forever be grateful for. And thanks to my absolutely amazing midwife, Heather Hilton, my doula Lindsey Bell and our birth photographer, Leilani Rogers. Heather has taken such good care of us throughout this pregnancy, birth and afterwards. I’m just amazed daily at the time, attention and love that she pours in to our family. I had no idea that care at this level was available with my other children. I feel supported, loved and totally taken care of with Heather. Being at home, comfortable and with the kids, in our own space, was magical for us. I loved climbing in to bed right after Jonah was born, the 6 of us, marveling over this little miracle. His birth was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Leilani shared a few images with us right away and I have to say, I couldn’t be more thrilled. I instantly cried when I saw them, they brought to life the realization of this dream that we have hoped and waited for for 3 years. She did a beautiful job and I can’t wait to see what else she captured. The funny thing is, we literally met for the first time moments before Jonah was born. My dear friend Michele was slated to photograph our birth, but we knew many months ago that there was one day she could not be here because her sister was getting married. No biggie I said, there is no way I’ll be *that* overdue, my babies usually come early. Well don’t you know that Jonah literally arrived in the outside world at the exact moment her sister was saying I do!? Leilani was our backup photographer that day and it worked out because she lives close to us, rushed over and literally walked in the door with only 5 minutes to spare. Leilani, thank you for filling in on Saturday and for capturing these absolutely priceless moments for us, it means the world to me. You did a beautiful job.
I’ll come back with a full birth story soon….for now, I have an insanely cute baby to snuggle and love on.
Congratulations!!! Gorgeous images!
So sweet! This post brought tears to my eyes(and down my face!). What a special sweet moment!! Congratulations again!
Gorgeous and congrats to your family. What a blessing!
Congratulations Lyndsay and family and welcome to the world Jonah!!!! What beautiful pictures! I am so excited for you all. 🙂
Congratulations to you and your family, he is precious!!
Breathtaking!
So lovely and moving! Thank you for sharing this glimpse inside your life. You are beautiful, Jonah is beautiful, and your family is beautiful! Congratulations! <3
Absolutely beautiful lyndsay!!! So happy for your beautiful family <3
oh my! he’s beautiful! I’m so happy your birth worked out so beautifully for you! I never realized midwives were so amazing either (our 5th was our first home birth). I can’t wait to read the whole story. your family is beautiful, and many congratulations to all of you!!
LOVE! <3
Beautiful Images – congratulations on your fabulous birth. The images bring tears to my eyes, Leilani did a amazing job!
Yay! So happy for you!
Congratulations, how beautiful 🙂
LOVE the markerboard of affirmations. I am so glad you had a great birth and that you are not going to be pregnant forever. Lovely images!
It was an honor to be there!
inspiring!
Congratulations! He’s gorgeous!
So happy for your family… Congratulations and well done, to all of you! God bless you!
CONGRATULATIONS! He is absolutely beautiful! He looked so calm in the water. You have a beautiful family!
Congratulations! He’s darling and your family is beautiful and you are amazing. His onesie says it all. Enjoy your sweet little man!
Congratulations! He is absolutely precious. So glad you are both doing well. Take care and God bless!
YAY! Congrats! He’s beautiful! Hope you’re all settling in nicely as a family of six.
🙂 Heather
Tears! Smiles! More tears! Thanks for sharing your amazing experience. Welcome to the world little Jonah!
Congratulations!! Welcome to the world, little Jonah!
Congratulations and abundant joy-filled blessing Stradtner family. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. You all look terrific!
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! CONGRATS Lyndsay and family!!!
Congratulations Lindsay! I can feel the love and joy from these photos. Leilani did a fantastic job.
Amazing! Congrats again Lyndsay and Family! <3
CONGRATULATIONS!! So happy to see that he made it safely and oh-so-perfectly 🙂