this is the one i was really afraid i wouldn’t make it in time.  i’m always a bit nervous when i’m on call for a birth that i won’t make it.  i try to be ready to go on a moments notice.  but this one, i was really nervous.  noelle walked around for weeks at 4+ cm dialated.  i jumped every time my phone rang.  i’m so thankful that it worked out i got to be there.  a-maz-ing birth experience.  i cried when she was born.  and when i was proofing.  and when i finished the slideshow.  yeah, i’m a sap, but it really was just that amazing.  this birth experience was fast.  and intense.  and filled with emotion.  and love.  i hope i have captured that.

click here:  the birth of maddie-rose

her water broke at 9:30 and by 11:17 maddie-rose was here.  that’s fast.  the labor was intense, noelle barely had a few seconds to recoup between contractions and she’d be overcome with another one even more intense than the last.

this is also the first birth that i had the joy of working with doula, emily bessey.  when noelle first started telling me about emily she said i would love her and she was right!  her demeanor, her calming voice, she was awesome during the entire birth, but especially when things got very intense.  she was cool, calm and collected and knew exactly how to support noelle and her husband.  i was impressed!  if you are in the austin area and looking for a doula, i highly recommend her, i’d hire her in a heartbeat, except for i’m done birthing babies.  i would love to have her come talk me down and keep me sane when the 5 o’clock witching hour hits with my three kids though…now there is an idea…a parenting doula!  an untapped market!!

and the music!  turn those speakers up loud….the music rocks!  a huge thank you to balmorhea for allowing us to use their music for this slideshow.  i have fallen in love with so many of their songs and have become a huge fan!  they just released a new album in march called “all is wild, all is silent” and this song is on that album.  you can check it out on their site or download their album on itunes.

and finally, to noelle and brad……thank you for inviting me to capture the birth of your beautiful daughter.  it was an honor.  and thank you as well for letting me share your birth experience, i appreciate it!