Duncan, OK | C-SECTION | Baby GW

What a joy to be a Birth Photographer long enough to tell the story of a sibling! While Jessica’s first baby came into the world in a rush of chaos, the little brother would have a story underlined with a calmer air.

We were a little over two weeks out from the Birth Date when Jessica went from a doctor’s check up to triage. Back in July, we had texted back and forth just enough to get this little guy’s debut on my calendar, but hadn’t talked anymore since then. Call it a birth-photographer’s-intuition, but I sent her a text on Thursday morning, October 9 to check in. She said she had an appointment that day, that she was a feeling a little tired, but nothing crazy. Right after lunch, she replied to me with the ‘just kidding, we are gonna go ahead and get this baby out, asap’ (my paraphrase, not her real words). The tiredness was from high blood pressure, and with her other birth experience in mind, they didn’t want to cause any more undue stress than necessary. Axel was summoned from his work in Texas, and Jessica was put into a regular room with her planned c-section moved up to the morning of October 10.

There was no rush, no panic, just a plan put in motion, when I arrived that morning. Axel had driven all night to get there. Baby GW’s announcement accessories were all out ready to go, and the nurse was playing chase with GW and the baby monitor. Dr. Tovar came in to say hi before he went back to the OR a few minutes before Jessica went back. Then Axel and I suited up to meet once Jessica was set and ready.

As we waited Axel said, “This feels totally different than last time,” and it really did. Not only did they both know what to expect from a c-section birth, but there was also no emergent vibe this time around, only excitement about getting to see their Baby Boy.

We were only in the OR 6 minutes before we could hear Grady’s cry. The nurse told us later that he tried to come out hand first! Then he stuck one foot out towards the doctors! But Elfrink was able to coax him into turning around and being born a more proper way. At 7:39am, he was earth side safe and sound!

He did the most perfect Baby Footprint I’ve ever seen! Of course, Nurse Jenny helped just a little.

GW was so happy to be skin-to-skin with his Mom. Look at that tight grip he had on her thumb!

Back in the room, Dad added all the details to his announcement board, and we ‘oooh’ed and ‘ahhh’ed at his old man expressions and baby wrinkles.

But the best part had to be when Big Sister walked in declaring, “Look! I brought balloons!” She loved looking at his little fingers.

I wasn’t able to stay much longer that day, so I went back the next morning to see if he was still cute and get a few basinet pictures. Great news! He was still very cute!

Dad got Big Sister a pocket knife before she was born, and he did the same with Little Brother. He said he looked and looked for one that had some pearl coloring to it to match the pearl birthstone. Now GW will have that knife forever and ever.

Ending this short and sweet story with a side by side of these two babies on their Birth Days. I hope they become the best of friends!