We've known the Van Wie family for about a year now. We've enjoyed spending time with them at bible studies and block parties and I was thrilled when they asked me to do the photography for Abby's first year. We started with their gender reveal announcement and a couple months ago we did some family and maternity pictures. Their son, Cameron, was SO excited about getting to meet his baby sister. He was constantly asking "When is Abby going to come out?" and before every prenatal appointment, "Is Abby going to come out at your appointment?" Jennifer says they were relieved to finally be able to tell him a concrete answer once the induction date was set. 
Abigail's due date is actually this coming Tuesday! Jennifer had blood pressure problems and preeclampsia with Cameron, so she was monitored very closely during Abby's time in the womb. Jennifer and her doctor agreed to induce on July 23rd, and they arrived at 5 am to get the process started. They started her Pitocin at 8am, and at 9am her doctor broke her water. At that point she was 3cm, and I told her that I usually head to the hospital around a 6 or 7 and it still takes a little while (joke was on me!) She was begging for her epidural so they got her set up pretty quickly. At 11 am she was at 4 cm, so the day seemed to slowly be moving on. I got a text at 12:22 saying she was at a 6, so I started heading her way and stopped by Sonic to pick up some lunch. I thought it was going to still take at least 3 hours or so to get to a 10. I walked through the door about an hour after I got her text, just in time to hear a nurse say, "Oh! You're complete! I'll go tell the doctor!" We are all a little shocked! She wasn't quite ready to push, so we all just hung out for about 30 minutes. When it was time to start pushing she probably gave about 5 or 6 before Dr. Nelson arrived, and once he was set it was literally two pushes and done. Jennifer smiled and laughed in between pushes (yay for epidurals!) and I couldn't believe my ears when we all got set and about 30 seconds later the Doctor said, "Good, I've got her head, just one more, okay - she's out!" 
WHAT!? It was the smoothest, fastest birth I've ever been a part of. The sun was coming in beautifully through the window giving me soft, natural light, Abby was delivered quickly and safely and we were all wrapped up before dinner :)

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Cameron was very, very excited to finally meet his baby sister!! Aug1-86 Aug1-87 Aug1-88 Aug1-89 Aug1-91 Aug1-92 Aug1-94 Aug1-93 Aug1-95 Aug1-96 Aug1-97 Aug1-98 Aug1-100 Aug1-99 Aug1-102 Aug1-104 Aug1-108 Aug1-112 Aug1-111 Aug1-113 Aug1-114 Aug1-115

I was thrilled to have Abby back in my arms a week later for her newborn session and she gave me some of the sweetest smiles :) Definitely the best sleeper I've ever had, too!  ​ aug2-1

Nathan and Jennifer, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a beautiful moment. I'm looking forward to her upcoming sessions!! 

-T