Ethan- Colorado Birth Photography

3 years ago I decided I wanted to get into birth photography.  So I put it out there to see if anyone wanted to be my guinea pig.  And one of my favorite families took me up on it.  It was such a wonderful and beautiful experience (minus me being 7 minutes late for the birth because Noah came to quickly).  You can click here if you want to take a trip down memory lane.  So when I found out this family was growing again, I couldn't wait to be a part of it again.

I was there nice and early this time because I wasn't about to miss another McKelvey baby being born.  And we had plenty of time to spare.  Which meant we had a lot of time to chat and hangout, which I loved.  It was so nice to catch up and hear all about their jobs and family and even their funny pest control issues!

They were hoping Becky would progress without having to break her water, but alas it was a long wait (thankfully with an epidural).  Once the doctor came in to break her water, Ethan was there within an hour.

It was so cute that as soon as it was time to push Becky got all nervous and was scared she wouldn't be able to do it.  I reminded her that this was her 3rd baby and it was going to be easy-peasy.  And it was.  Less than 10 minutes of pushing and little Ethan was here.

3:35.  Ethan McKelvey joined the world.

I love these two.  They are wonderful people and the best parents.  They are bursting with love.  Love for each other and love for their boys.  Just look at them.  They hadn't even touched their baby yet but had to kiss each other. 

Their 3rd boy.  I can relate.  And I love that they are just as happy with 3 boys as I am.  So many people ask me if I am going to try for a girl.  Nope.  And if I had another baby (which is NOT happening) I would want another boy.  Having 3 of the same gender doesn't make the birth of the 3rd one any less special.  I mean, look at these two.

Ethan needed a little extra oxygen when he was born so they whisked him away to the warmer for some oxygen.  And Brian was there every step of the way!

Brian is such a hands-on dad.  I love that!  He was always by Ethan's side.

All cleaned up, diapered, banded and ready to go!

Look at his dimples.  Are you kidding me??  

After a little snuggle time with mom, it was dad's turn.  I love these pictures.  You can just feel the love and emotion flowing through Brian.

When it was time to nurse, Ethan took to it like a champ.  And proceeded to nurse for almost an hour.  I think they are going to have a bruiser on their hands!  I love the way Becky wanted to uncover his toes so she could play with them while she was nursing.

I stayed long enough to get some pictures of the big boys with their new baby brother.  It was adorable to watch these two with the baby!

Noah was all about the baby.  Aidan was a bit more hesitant.  He understood being a big brother a little more and knew what was in store. 

Three of a kind makes for a full house, right guys!?

Becky's arms and heart are full!

First family selfie!

I love this one.  It just looks like a complete circle of (or heart shaped) love.

You can tell they love their daddy.  Just look at Noah's hand.

Congratulations McKelvey family.  I have loved these last 5 years of watching your family grow and it was such a privilege to be there to watch Ethan enter this world.  I am so thankful for you and your friendship!

For more photos follow me on Instagram, Facebook or visit my website at www.photolilo.com.

Lindsey Party of Five- Denver Birth Photography

I am over the moon excited to share this blog with you!  I have always loved birth, birth stories, babies and all things related to babies.  I even started college with the thought that I would be a labor and delivery nurse.  I soon came to my senses when I had to take an organic chemistry class and realized that nursing wasn't the career for me.

However, a few years later, I am able to use my love for babies and combine it with my love for photography.

At the last minute this sweet family decided to do birth photography for their 3rd baby.  I am thankful to have known this family for a few years and I even did newborn pictures when their daughter was born 18 months ago.

A little "Friends" during labor?  Yes, please!  Wish I would have had Netflix when I was laboring.

Birth photography really allows everyone to be in the moment and yet also have those moments preserved for all time.  Like...what color your pedicure was. 

I loved being there while Emily was in labor and chatting with her mom and husband.  Emily was a ROCK STAR and seriously, this birth could not have been more perfect.  Emily made it look so easy. She was even smiling her way through contractions even before she had her epidural and kept asking if everyone was doing okay (once a mom, always a mom....looking out for everyone).  Thanks for having an easy to read watch, Chris.  It is fun to see the story unfold minute-by-minute and see that 6 minutes before Carolyn was born Emily was smiling and ready to go!

Once it was time to push, she only had to push through 4 contractions before her sweet baby girl was born.

I love Marty, Emily's mom, in the background of this picture.  It might be her 3rd grandbaby but that didn't make it any less special.  This might be my favorite picture of the day.

At 12:04 little Miss Carolyn Margaret was born.  They didn't know what they were having so Chris was able to call out that it was a baby girl.  It took him a minute to figure it out because he was a little overwhelmed.  He had a really strong feeling it was a girl and it was.  Way to go!  Hope you placed some bets on that!

Awwww....look at the way Emily is looking at Chris.  Such love!!

Time to cut the cord!

Only 2 minutes old!  Seriously.   I might have to require all dads to have watches like this!

Carolyn was a bit off-color at first so after a few minutes on her mama's chest, they whisked her over to the warming station and let her have a good ol' cry to clear out her lungs.  Then they weighed her, measured her and did her footprints.  All while only being less than 10 minutes old.  They don't mess around!

19 and 1/2 inches and 6 pounds 14 oz.  Perfect!

Daddy had a chance to admire and chat with her for a few minutes.  Precious.

Finally she made it back to her mama and she only had eyes for Emily.

Meanwhile Emily shows us here what true motherhood looks like.  MULTI-TASKING.  Being stitched up, signing forms and holding a baby....all at the same time.

Even just a few minutes after giving birth, this amazing woman was all smiles and completely gorgeous.  Seriously Emily...did you really just give birth a few minutes ago??

 I was showing my husband these pictures last night as I was finishing them up and he said "I wish we had done something like this when our babies were born.  I don't remember any of the details.  We have pictures of so many other non-important events but we don't really have any from when our babies were born and it makes me kind of sad".  Wow!  I feel that way all the time but for him to express that really surprised me.

After everything settled down it was time to let the family know about the new baby girl.  Thank goodness for modern technology.  A little bit of FaceTime with big brother was absolutely adorable!

Time to relax??  I told you she made this look easy.

And then FINALLY it was time for daddy to get a turn with his baby girl.

Looks like he is already wrapped around her finger.

Lindseys....thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful day for your family.  I cherished every moment and was blown away by the beauty and strength of Emily.

Congratulations!  You are now a party of 5!  I can't wait snuggle Miss Carolyn at our newborn session tomorrow.

For more pictures visit www.photolilo.com or my Facebook page.