I am a birth junkie and I love and am fascinated by all things related to babies and birth.  My first major in college was nursing and I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse….until I had to take organic chemistry.  Now that my teaching days are over and photography is my gig, I am able to do labor and delivery without the organic chemistry!

The Garlick family is one of my favorites.  From their engagement and wedding photos to the birth and first year of their first baby, we have worked together a lot and I am so thankful!  So when it came time for baby #2, I think I was one of the first ones to find out!

If you don’t already know this family you can catch up on Ezra’s birth and see the first c-section birth I ever photographed!  This time Cheyenne was going to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section).  She was scheduled for a c-section on Wednesday, but she prayed and prayed and her body responded and she went into labor on Tuesday.  It was a close one.

She was all prepped and ready for the c-section if needed but she really wanted to try to have a vaginal birth.  While in labor, she had an epidural so she was able to play games and enjoy the laboring process.  I got there about 1:00 p.m. and got to catch up with all of the family and their fabulous Doula, Mandy.  Mandy is amazing and I was so thankful to work with her again and also work with the staff at Lutheran Hospital in Denver for the 3rd time.  They have the greatest nurses and doctors and such a friendly, welcoming labor and delivery area.

During transition, the pain intensified and it was time to get to work!

The family came in and prayed over Cheyenne, the baby, the doctors and prayed for a safe delivery.  Such a special and sacred time and I love when families take the time to do this.

Before we knew it, it was time to push.  It was time to see if Cheyenne could pull off the VBAC.  Ezra was a BIG baby who was wedged really well and therefore they had to do a c-section so they were praying this little girl was smaller and in a better position for delivery.  I tell you what….this gal worked through her fears and gave it all she had!

With the encouragement of her doctors, doula, and family she made it happen!  Look at all of the smiling faces in the room.

And at 8:06 pm on January 22, 2019 little Emberly was born.

Time to meet your mama little girl.

So chunky and cute.

Can’t you just feel the contentment and relief in these pictures?

David was trying to get a little peek.

Emberly grabbed on to her Daddy’s finger and didn’t want to let go!

Isn’t it so sweet?  She had a death grip on him.

What an amazing day!  Cheyenne I am so proud of you and your hard work bringing this baby girl into the world.

Time to see how this girl weighed in….. 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20.25 inches.

Thank goodness things have progressed so their little feet don’t get dirty!  Pretty sure that in the future they will probably just get scanned by an iPad, right?!

Finally David got to hold his girl.

This photo just might be one of my all-time favorite birth photos.  Look at this sweet little family.

She has a heck of a grip!

Congratulations on your baby girl.  She is a beauty!

Stay tuned next week when you get to see Emberly’s newborn photos!  If you are a birth junkie like me, then check out Graham’s birth or Emma’s birth.