A Visit Home | Sacramento Family Photographer

Last night I got to photograph a family that I haven't seen since they left Sacramento four years ago.  They are a military family, and moved to Arkansas when their second child was only 4 months old.  Oh my how she's grown!  They are back in Sacramento visiting family for a couple of weeks, and booked a family session while they're here.  I was so happy to have an excuse to see them!

And their kids couldn't be more adorable.  They've all inherited these unreal blue eyes.  You know, the kind of eyes that stop you in your tracks.  Gorgeous!

It was obvious that this is a family that enjoys their time spent together.  And let me tell you, their mom looked fabulous!  Hard to believe she's had three kids!

And since Sacramento is a "home away from home" for them, I had to get some pictures with the infamous I Street bridge in the background.  That way they can take a little piece of Sacramento home with them to Arkansas!

So great to see you guys again!  Hope it won't be another 4 years before your next visit!

The Gift of Surrogacy | Sacramento Baby Photographer

I know I've said it time and time again... but I love newborn sessions.  It is always such a fabulous time for me to get my newborn fix, without ever having another baby again.  Never ever again.  This session was particularly special because it was like the final chapter to a story I've been telling with photos.  This was a story of a very special family who were able to have another child through a surrogate family!  You can see their maternity session HERE and their birth session HERE!  And now their family is complete!

It was fairly obvious that this sweet little girl was happy to be home with her family.  She was constantly flashing me little sleepy smiles.  Obviously she's quite content to be in this world!

And I must say that her parents seem pretty thrilled she's here too!  I need to give this family some props... because it was amazing the amount of love and care they poured into their friend who acted as their gestational surrogate.  Not only did they take care of her physical needs, but they were (and continue to be) there for her emotionally too.  And the day their daughter came into the world, they gave their surrogate/friend a beautiful "Tiffany blue" box with a personal gift inside.  Now that's classy!  Their daughter is very blessed to have such loving, caring parents!

And lastly, I think this sweet baby girl is pretty lucky to have a big brother to teach her the ropes.  And although he tried to feign some disinterest in her while I was there, it was obvious that he was quite smitten.  She is very lucky to have him to watch out for her!  I am very, very happy to see this family together and complete and although the journey was long, it was obviously part of God's perfect plan!

The Gift of Surrogacy | Sacramento Birth Photographer

Many of you will remember the awesome maternity session I did with a family and their surrogate who was carrying their baby girl (see here).  Well, I was on-deck to shoot the delivery too!  I was EXTREMELY excited about this, and was bummed the first time that we thought labor started, just to find out it was a false alarm.  And then this morning, it happened!  And it happened fast.  The elapsed time from the onset of labor until delivery was around ONE hour.  And when the surrogate (a.k.a Auntie Jen) realized that it was happening so fast, they sprinted to the hospital, arriving in the parking lot at 5:10 a.m. and delivering this sweet baby girl at 5:12 a.m.  The nurse didn't even have time to blink!  Needless to say, neither the babies parents nor the birth photographer (me) made it there in time!  BUT what a fabulous story they are going to have to tell this little girl when she grows up!

When I arrived, the nurse was giving the baby her bath and taking her vitals.  She weighed in at a whooping 8lbs 12oz and 19 1/4 inches long.  Considering she was 38 weeks gestation, I'm sure Auntie Jen was happy she didn't go the full 40 weeks.  But Mama Heather has been blessed with the sweetest, chunkiest little baby girl ever!

Shortly after she was all cleaned up, Auntie's Jen mom arrived to check in.  This was a fairly emotional moment as her mother was bubbling over in pride for what her daughter had just done.  Looking at these pictures make me well up just thinking about the worry, love, relief and joy that this loving mom must have felt all at the same time.

Then it was time for a room change.  I have to give a big "thumbs up" to the staff of Mercy Folsom, because they were so fabulous that they even had a guard come and transfer the baby to her new room.  Apparently I wasn't allowed to take photos in the hallway (which I was told after it was too late), but I'm glad I got this one shot off (thanks to Uncle Bryan for pointing out the overhead reflection).

Once we were in the rooms, the new Mommy and Daddy got some one on one time with their new daughter.  And, they just happened to be in the SAME room they had when their son was born!

Auntie Jen was also having some quiet time and she and Uncle Bryan were getting ready for a nice long nap.  A kiss for a job well done...

But of course I had to get everyone back together for one last group photo before nap time.  I'm mean that way.  But I love looking at this picture and thinking about these two couples that have been on this amazing journey for the last year to have it all culminate in today... the birth of this beautiful little girl.  Amazing!

And I was so happy to catch this one last private moment before packing up my gear and heading for home.  This is my favorite picture.  There is no greater gift that a woman can give to another woman than a new life through surrogacy.  Looking at this picture make me teary with joy!  Thank you to both of you ladies for allowing me to be a small part in this journey with you!

But that's not the end of this story!  This weekend... a newborn session!