I completely love photographing births!  It is one of my favorite things to do and I LOVE hearing the new mommy's reactions when they see the images and films from their delivery.  There are no words to express how rewarding of a job it is! 

But in case you aren't so familiar with it, I made this little "magazine" to tell you more about what I do and the options that are available with Growing Wings Birth Films.  I hope you enjoy it and please  contact me with any questions you have!

Oh, the anticipation and excitement over this little baby's arrival is so great!!  Mom, Dad, and all the siblings just CAN'T WAIT to meet the newest member of their family--and neither can I!  Everyone is still debating if it's a boy or a girl and at the moment I'd say the votes are split right down the middle.  But one thing is for certain--this little baby is loved more than s/he knows and we are all anxiously awaiting the day when we get to meet this little one!  

About three weeks ago, I had a mama call me and say she might be in labor.  Contractions were regluar, lasting about 45 seconds and seemed to be getting stronger. Those contractions continued for several hours--just enough to mess up a good night's sleep--and then disappeared.  A few days later, the same thing happened...and again went away after using up most of the night.  And so it continued, for three weeks, until this morning when they did not go away, but continued getting stronger, though still a bit irregular. 

When I think back on this morning, I have to chuckle a bit.  Mama texted me and said she wasn't sure, but she would feel better if I was with her.  Baby had teased her so many times, she couldn't tell if it was really going to happen today.  (And to be honest, she was so calm through it all, I had a hard time telling, too!) But, I got to her house about 1:30 and within 30 minutes we were back out the door!

Mama labored beautifully in and out of the water and around 4:45 she welcomed her beautiful baby boy into the world.  It was such a peaceful delivery.  Mama was simply amazing and her baby has the cutest, chubbiest cheeks!  He is absolutely precious!

Congratulations, Mommy, Daddy, big brother and big sister!  I am so proud of you all and I am so thankful that you let me be a part of welcoming your little one to our world. 

~Rebekah

Almost every pregnant mom wonders how she will know when labor really starts.  Women who have already had a baby or two think, "I've done this before.  Surely I will know when it starts."  If only baby could send you a text that says, "Ok, mommy, ready or not, here I come!"

In the wee hours of the morning today, a precious new soul joined our world.  Mama had been having some contractions all week, but each time they started, it wouldn't be long before they faded away.  But last night--last night was different.  They didn't stop!  She thought "Maybe. MAYBE this is it.  Better go in, just in case."  Once she was there, it quickly became evident that she was really in labor.   She labored BEAUTIFULLY.  Calm, relaxed, moaning at the end.  She was incredible!  Not even three hours after arriving, baby made his way into the world.  And he let everyone know that he was NOT HAPPY about being kicked out!  Big sister had the honor of cutting his cord and the whole family was over the moon about their little baby.

Tonight there is a strong and amazing woman holding her newborn boy and her family is transitioning to a group of five.  I hope they know how incredible they are, how thankful I am to have been there, and how happy I am for each one of them. 

~Rebekah

It's always good to start at the beginning, don't you think?  So good for you!  Here you are at the beginning of my blog.  :)

I'm not exactly sure what all I'm going to put on here, but I like to blog, so I thought this would be a fun addition to our site.  Stephanie doesn't even know I'm starting this (Hi, Stephanie!  By the way, I'm going to start a blog on our website.), so I don't know if she'll write on here or not, but you'll at least have me rambling on here from time to time.   I hope to share some research findings, some pictures, some birth stories...you know, whatever strikes my fancy.

For now, I'll just tell you what I've been thinking about today.  I've been thinking that it's humorous that I'm starting into a career that revolves around birth.  I have long said that patience may be a virtue, but it's not one of mine!  My own pregnancies drove me crazy at the end because I know they say no one has been pregnant forever and I realize that my babies are clearly not in my belly anymore, but I'm telling you--I was pregnant FOREVER.  All of that incessant waiting...and waiting...and waiting.  Yeah, waiting is really not my thing.  But here I am!  And happy to do it.  Just goes to show you--God's got a pretty crazy sense of humor.  :)

~Rebekah