Courtney is a photographer herself so when she found me through Instagram and we met up to chat about their baby girl, we realized we had so many other things in common!  She studied abroad in France, I lived in Belgium after college (both French speaking countries).  We both met our husbands on e-Harmony.  We both love photography (obviously) and our first babies are little girls who were born via c-section after laboring for quite a while.

Even with all the unknowns of labor and delivery, Courtney kept a cool head through all of it.  Hers and Jim’s biggest desire was that their baby girl, James, arrive safely and that she and Courtney would be healthy!  And while the journey to get there wasn’t exactly as she had imagined, God brought their baby girl into the world bright and early Sunday morning with a healthy set of lungs!

For various reasons, Courtney was admitted to the hospital on Friday evening to be induced and when I arrived Saturday evening, she was progressing well and enjoying the time anticipating James’s arrival with her husband, her parents and Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel in the background.  Jim’s parents arrived, his sister and her family arrived, and Miss baby James was making even more indications that she was on her way!

But after a while, she must have decided she couldn’t do any more on her own.  In the wee hours of Sunday morning, November 20, after staying in the same spot for 6+ hours, the doctor recommended a c-section.  Courtney’s emotions flooded out through tears, but they were accompanied by a huge smile!  She was just thrilled to meet her baby girl!

You guys, James is PRECIOUS and I was so thrilled to be there with you and your families.  Thank you for welcoming me in, treating me like family, and Jim… thanks for taking care of two pregnant women in one room throughout the night!

I arrived Saturday evening just before Sunset and left again Sunday morning just after sunrise!

Her cup of ice chips were never far from reach :-)

It’s amazing what brushing your teeth can do for morale!

We all were able to get a little rest… Courtney in her bed, Jim on his floor palate and they insisted I lay down on the couch.

The tears of joy after speaking with the doctor!

We weren’t sure if I was going to be able to go into the operating room, so Jim took their camera just in case.

But as soon as the baby was born (at 5:54am), the nurse came to get me!

She was here and perfect!

And being in there for this moment in these following photos was worth the long night…

Courtney, motherhood looks amazing on you.

That sweet face!!

Jim got some daddy/daughter time while Courtney finished up in the OR.

And he was SO smitten!

So thankful…

This was so much fun too! Following Jim to tell the family that James was here and capturing their reactions was priceless!

There is NO telling what was said, but these faces were worth posting! :-)

Welcome to the world, sweet baby girl!

To see more Birth Stories, click here.
For more information about me capturing your own baby’s birth or Fresh 48 Session, click here.