The Hansens

The weather was perfect, the colors were perfect and this family is perfect.  I am grateful that I was able to spend some time with them on this beautiful fall day.  This is the third year in a row that I have been lucky enough to photograph the Hansens.  You can see those photos here and here.  It is fun to not only see, but to be able to capture the growth and changes from year to year.  Thank you Hansens for allowing me that honor.

Reagan Beth

Our little Reagan Beth is officially two months old today!  To celebrate I'm finally posting her newborn photos.  It has been an absolute joy having her join our family.  She loves to be held and insists upon it all day.  She will only nap if she is being held.  But she does sleep through the night so I guess I can't complain.  Everyone who sees her always comments on how tiny she is.  We love this girl beyond words.  Thank you Reagan for joining our family!

Vance Family

I love photographing this wonderful family!  They are fun, kind, genuine, and just look how adorable those two cute girls are.  I have been lucky enough to have photographed them before at the hospital after their youngest was born, as well as her newborn photos, which you can see here.  For this shoot we went to downtown Provo and used the walls of some of the fun buildings along Center Street.  These girls have so much energy and I had a blast capturing their fun personalities.  Thank you Vances for allowing me to take pictures of your beautiful family.

Kiley's Senior Portraits

A little while back my sister who lives in Pennsylvania came to visit with five of her kids.  While they were here we decided to take some senior pictures for Kiley who is a senior this year.  I remember when Kiley was born and it's hard to believe that she is now grown up and so beautiful!  She is talented in music, sports and has the kindest heart.  You can tell by watching her interact with her siblings.  Thank you Kiley for letting me take these pictures of you!

Reagan Beth - A Birth Story

This post is a little different than my other posts in that I did not take these photos.  Although I edited them, I did not take a single one.  This is a birth story in photos, one that is extra special to me.  I have the sweetest sister in law, Chelle, who volunteered to come and be with Ryan and I during my delivery to take pictures.  I am beyond grateful to her because she was able to capture the day in a way that we would not have been able to.  

This is the birth story of my little Reagan Beth.

After considering the pros and cons, Ryan and I decided to take my doctor up on his offer to induce me a few days before my due date.  We arrived bright and early (well actually it was still dark) at the hospital on Friday, September 2nd.  It was quite and relaxed as I got all checked in and settled into a room.  Eventually I was hooked up to an IV and another hour after that I was started with the pitocin.  

At that point I started to feel the contractions.  They did not hurt but I could definitely feel them.  My nurse, Krista, told me to let her know when I would like to have the epidural.  I told her I would wait a little while because the contractions were not hurting at all.  A few minutes later she came back and told me that if I would like an epidural then I should probably get it now because the anesthesiologist was about to leave.  Although he would be on call, he lived a good 20 minutes away. So I got my epidural.

A couple hours after the pitocin my doctor came in to break my water.  I was checked and was only dilated to a 3.  About 15 minutes later I was checked again and had already progressed to a 5.  At that point for some reason everyone left the room and we were on our own for the next 30 or 40 minutes.  Why, I have no idea, because when they did come back in Krista checked me again and I was a 10 and ready to have the baby.  At that point she called my doctor to see how far away he was only to discover that he was on his way but still 20 minutes away.  The nurses quickly finished getting everything in the room ready to go.

A few minutes later Krista went to check me again.  That is when I heard Ryan say "The baby is coming out"  My doctor had not arrived but Krista and the other nurses were awesome as they delivered our baby.  I think I pushed twice and out she came.  A healthy, beautiful little girl.

After awhile they took her to the nursery to give her a bath and do foot prints and all of that behind the scenes stuff that I never see because I am stuck in the bed still unable to lift my own legs.  Ryan is able to go though so I sent him with the camera and the rest of these photos were taken by him.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when Jaxton and Cambria were able to come meet their new little sister for the first time.  They were both so excited and wanted to hold her the entire time.  I love their sweet little looks on their faces.

So there it is, probably one of the easiest deliveries of all time.  I literally felt no pain.  I didn't even know that was possible, but I'm not complaining!  Now we are a family of 5 and we couldn't be happier.

Reagan Beth, born September 2nd at 11:34 am.  6lbs 9oz, 18 inches long and absolutely perfect!  Thank you sweet girl for joining our family.