It dawned on me today that I haven’t been faithful to my website or my blog. I cannot explain why, other than the downsizing of my photography business and all of the ways that my life has changed over the past handful of years. So today, as I was thinking about sharing the photos of this blessed event, I realized that it was time – time to share and time to start writing again.

I was blessed to be invited into the pre/post-op hospital/delivery room of my baby sister and her hubby. (Yes, I still call her my baby sister and I probably always will. Not sorry.) We all knew that it was going to be a c-section delivery and that this baby probably wouldn’t wait until the scheduled date because that was the trend that was started with their first born – he arrived (breech and ultimately delivered via c-section) three weeks prior to his due date.

So, it really was no surprise when my phone rang last week late at night, a full week prior to the scheduled date. It was my sister. Her water had just broken and they were headed to the hospital to deliver. A few minutes later we jumped in the truck and headed out on the 90-minute drive to York, Nebraska. I hoped that I’d catch some shots before they took her back to the operating room, but I was about five minutes too late (luckily, my mom snapped some of those).

We arrived as the proud daddy was prepping – putting on his fancy booties and hat. It wouldn’t be long before baby made his or her appearance and we were all excited! Another blessing was the presence of my sister’s high school best friend – she is the ob director at the hospital. It’s not very often that one of your closest friends gets to be a part of your baby’s delivery and newborn care. (She told me later that she even teared up a little in the O.R. because it was such a beautiful life moment.) It was truly an amazing memory to cherish.

Now, I cannot leave you without explaining the biggest surprise of the night. Everyone – almost every single person in their lives – just knew that it was a baby girl. We were sure of it. I was ready to buy bows and pink clothes. We chatted about how this pregnancy was different from her son’s and I would have put money on it being a girl! Well, it’s a good thing that I didn’t…because baby girl was definitely NOT a girl. Even his big brother was surprised! (You can see the moment that the truth was revealed to the grandparents and their expressions are priceless!!)

To my sister and her hubby – thank you, thank you, thank you! I know that you think of this as something I did for you, but it has done so much for me in return. Anytime I get to capture memories like this and be in this space – this moment – I am reminded of God’s grace and the gifts He has granted to me. I love you all so much. And to Henry – welcome to the world, sweet boy. Your name means “house ruler,” and I have no doubt that this is exactly what you will be.