During our plan-meet Michelle didn’t want to share with me that she was a wedding photographer. Something about being in the same line of work made her believe I would either be intimidated or slack off in providing her the same treatment I would to any other mom I work with. Well she was right about only one of those things, the fact that she told me that she would know whether the photograph I was taking was good or not with just the sound of the shutter did instill a bit of fear in me. Fear that I better keep that shutter speed HIGH!
Michelle and Carlos were expecting their first baby after a while of wanting to start a family. Julie’s arrival was sure to make all of their dreams come true. During our meet I spent time getting to know them and learning about their family, making sure I had a feel for what this birth meant to them. Way before even meeting his baby, I knew Carlos was going to be wrapped in his princess’ little finger the moment she arrived. That’s the thing about little girls, they melt your heart instantly.
On Friday Michelle informed me that she was having contractions and that she would be heading to the hospital. I packed my bags and set them by the door waiting to see what would happen. She then texted me later on that night that they had sent her home. They told her that what she had believed to be her water breaking was a false alarm. I myself thought, this happens to all of us first time moms, we don’t know exactly what to expect. I went on Saturday morning and photographed my couple at the beach. Sunday went by and same thing, I knew it would be any time then, but still no call to head over to the hospital. On Monday things changed, she was set to get induced. Her water had actually been slowing leaking just as she thought and it was time to meet baby Julie.
All along Michelle had her mommy instincts right on point. She knew she had been in labor all along. But everyone called it the case of a paranoid first time mom, – just go home – I think about it now, and how frustrating it was for her. To have no one believe her that those weren’t just braxton hicks contractions, it was the real deal. When I left the house she was 1.5 cm along. By the time I arrived she was 4 cm and a quick two hours later we all got to meet Julie. She made her entrance real quick after all the time she spent letting Michelle know it was time. I’m so so happy I didn’t think of waiting or that there was no interruption was so ever getting to the hospital, if so I would of missed it! Michelle rocked this and made it seem so simple, earning herself a ROCKSTAR title in my book.
Without further ado, here is Julie’s birth story. A night Carlos and Michelle will truly never forget…
Thank you both so much for allowing me to capture your story and letting me share it with all of my momma’s out there.
