The Birth of Tristan

Nothing is more beautiful than watching life enter this world and this was one of the craziest births I’ve ever witnessed! It started off so calm and serene. Mom was a rockstar. birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

And dad got everything ready to go to the hospital. birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and whitebirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

I arrived in the middle of the night, and you just never know how these things will go! I was prepared for a long day. birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and whitebirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and whitebirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Dad was invaluable. 
birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Her water broke and it was decided we head to the hospital!birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

He carried ALL the bags, gave counter pressure when she wanted it, and stood back when she needed space.birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

We arrived at 5:30 am and they set us up in triage!birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Mom was handling this so well that several nurses said something along the lines of “Well, you’re probably in labor.” We just laughed and rolled our eyes at that. This mama was definitely in labor! The checked her and said she was 4 cm, so they were feeling a little discouraged.  birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

At 6:30 we headed up to labor and delivery, but we had to stop for several contractions so it took a few minutes.
birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white
birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Settled in L&D at 6:42 am! We heard again someone say something like “Well, you’re probably in labor, but this is your first baby. You have time. They don’t just come shooting out!” 7 am was shift change, so it was a little chaotic with the nurses. They checked her around 7:10 am and I think she was around 6 cm.birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Got to watch the sun rise from her room.birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Things started kicking in and mom started vocalizing (loudly) through her contractions. A nurse looked over at mom at about 7:20 and from her experience she knew what was going on so she said with alarm, “Do you need like you need to push? DON’T PUSH! Get up on the bed.” birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

Dad started to grab mom’s water cup to get her some ice chips, but I told him to stay with her and volunteered to get them. THANKFULLY, the ice machine was directly across from her door. After I got the ice I took this shot of her door (7:24 am) and then from inside the room I hear mom scream “THE BABY’S HEAD!” I have never moved so fast to get back inside a room!birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

A nurse hits a “staff assist” button and TWELVE nurses, doctors, and residents rush into the room. birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white

I barely had time to get grab my camera and get in position on my step stool. A nurse walked past me then suddenly the baby was crowning (7:27:33). Another nurse walked past and then BAM, there was a baby. It was 7:27:43 am. SEVEN TWENTY SEVEN, PEOPLE. This was her first baby! It was like the movies. If we hadn’t gone to the hospital when we did I may have been photographing a car baby. From crowning to baby being out it was TEN SECONDS.birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and whitebirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan

Finally, it was just the three of them (and me ;)) and I got to capture these beautiful moments of a family just made. 
birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan, baby feet, foot prints birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan, baby feet

All the family that didn’t even make it to the hospital in time finally got to come in! birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan birth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristanbirth, houston birth photography, houston birth photographer, kelli nicole photography, family, familia, family of three, beautiful family, houston baby photographer, houston baby photographer, women's hospital of houston, houston galleria family photographer, houston family photographer, hospital birth, natural birth, birth photography, birth photographer, black and white, tristan

Welcome to the world, Tristan! So glad I got to meet you :). 

Lainee’s Fresh 48

A fresh 48 is when you get your baby photographer in the first two days of life! In this case, little Lainee was less than 24 hours old and we scheduled it so I could be there when her big brother and sister met her for the first time. She fits right in with this gorgeous family!!houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographerhouston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, color, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographerhouston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, color, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, family of five houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, color, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, family of five, big brother houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, color, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, family of five, big brother houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, color, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, family of five houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, big sister houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, big sister houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, big sister houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer houston birth photographer, houston birth photography, birth, houston, photographer, kelli nicole photography, hospital birth, black and white, fresh 48, newborn, houston newborn photographer, dad holding newborn

The Birth of Camden

One of the most meaningful and beautiful things I’ve done in my career has been photographing the birth of a child.  It is something that has always fascinated and intrigued me.  Being witness to a couple become 3 or a family become 4 has to be one of the most sacred things I’ve ever experienced.  It was such an honor to watch Camden join the world and I hope I can express some of those feelings through these photographs.  I thought I wasn’t going to be allowed in the OR until about 10 minutes before surgery and when I found out I was practically jumping with joy.  The nurses and doctors were so incredible and supportive and seemed really focused on making it a good experience for everyone involved.  I’m so grateful Camden’s parents’ trusted me with capturing this moment.  Thank you!

Miles is the proud big brother and when I first arrived his grandmas took him down to the gift shop to pick out a present for baby sister.  Miles was one of the first newborns I photographed in Houston three years ago!

On our way back upstairs is when I found out I was allowed in the OR.  I threw on my flattering paper scrubs and got ready.

They let me have free reign of the room and it was absolutely fascinating.

Then she was here.

When I was editing and got to this next image?  Instant tears.  You are both so beautiful.

Favorite.

One last kiss from mama before they finished up.

Time for big brother to meet baby sister!  He was so sweet to her.

Beautiful, isn’t she?

 

Congratulations!!  I’m so happy for your family.  Thanks again for letting me be there.

That One’s Birth

Many of you know one of my favorite friends, Jenna (aka That Wife, aka Mrs. Avocado).  I still remember the day last year (on August 5, btw) when I got a gchat message saying “I just got a positive pregnancy test” from someone in mild shock, I believe.  I worked very hard to keep my schedule mostly free in the middle of April and we both prayed that I would be able to make it.  I did!  Jenna was having several signs of labor so I drove up Sunday morning.  For anyone interested in hearing the whole story and seeing more pictures, I’m sure Jenna will be posting it on her blog in the coming weeks (or months, you know how newborns are).

For now, here are just a few.

And then,

He was here.

And he was beautiful.

April 12, 2010

2:40 pm

8 lbs 4 oz

21 inches

Happy Birthday little guy.