Meet sweet Charles - thee Christmas baby!    I was able to document his fresh 48 at the Maple Grove hospital and watch his parents ooh and awe over his every move.  They gushed over his sweet cries and new baby reflexes, and Mama called him Charles in Charge which I think it fits perfectly!   Babies are such a gift, and he's certainly made this season the merriest!  Congratulations to this party of three!

Each time I walk into the room for a Fresh 48 newborn session, it's filled with soft voices, that new baby smell and warmth from the window light.   I absolutely love photographing these sessions for new parents, 2nd and 3rd time parents!   If you've ever had a baby, you know the entire experience is very surreal.   Having a fresh 48 in the hospital is a great way to capture the newness of your sweet little one before you head home.   It's that last opportunity to soak up all the baby kisses and swaddles before you head home to your new life.  I always say it, but I am so honored to be chosen for these opportunities to photograph families.  
Meet sweet Evelyn.  She was born on Saturday at 9:53pm after taking her sweet time making her grand entrance.    Mama and daddy are so in love and she was totally worth the wait!

Congratulations to this new family.   I am so excited for all of you!
xoxo

Warning!   You ** MAY ** want another baby after seeing this post!

Mama reached out months ago to set up this fresh 48 hospital session so I've been anxiously awaiting sweet Nora's arrival!!  She was born just a few days early and is about the most perfect baby I've ever seen.  She's got the sweetest coloring in her lips and cheeks and a little heart shaped patch of hair on the back of her head.  She also looked pretty adorable in all the swaddles and headbands mama brought with!   I can't tell you how many beautiful embraces were exchanged between this new family of three.   No surprise but this daddy was a big old puddle of mush for his two best girls and I am so thankful I was able to capture this sliver of time for all of you.

Congrats on your sweet little lady!   
​xoxo

5:58am   
The phone rang.... I glanced over to my night stand and thought it was an alarm.  I blinked and looked again, it was NATALIE.  I grabbed the phone and in the groggiest voice:  hello?    Hi Emily...... I think I'm in active labor.

She talked for a minute or two then suddenly went silent.   I waited a bit.... HELLO?!   She answered back:   I don't think I need to go in yet, I remember not being able to talk through the contractions with my first.  Me:  Girl!  You just COULDN'T talk through that contraction, you'd better get in.    We hung up, she called the clinic.   I waited.....

6:21am
Jeremy (Nat's hubby) texted me.  We just called the hospital, they open at 6:30 and we'll head there then.

7:56am
Jeremy: Docs here. About to check her and break her water.

7:58am
Jeremy:  Waters broke.

8:06am
Me:  Are you ok if I start heading that way?  
Jeremy:  You're free to show up when you would like.  

9:14am
Me:  Outside Birthing Center.   No rush - how's she doing?

9:16am
​Jeremy: getting epidural right now, be there shortly.

2:20pm

4:30pm
​

The ONLY thing I love more than chocolate covered caramel is the freshness of a sweet baby.   Meet Audrey.  She was so fresh and new when I met her at the Monticello hospital.  In the mere 20 minutes I got to hang with her, we laughed and cried (mostly her) together.  She's the most beautiful little thing I've seen.   Huge shout out to her new mama and daddy.  They've been wishing for this day for a long time!

​xoxo