Welcoming Baby Haven

Haven Anneliese, born yesterday August 13 at 12:46pm! She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long! Mommy and Baby are doing incredibly well!
Isn't she beautiful???!!

I was incredibly honored to be a part of such a special day! We arrived at the hospital an hour or so after Haven's birth and visited with Sarah and Nick's family while we waited for Sarah to get settled. We got to visit with Angel for a time prior to their specially arranged meeting with sweet baby Haven....their first time as a family of 5! I was thankful beyond words to have this little photography hobby of mine, because it is was for the purpose of photographing this special day that I was there, in the room, when the boys first met Haven. Hudson's reaction was priceless. He walked slowly into the room, a look of astonishment and joy gracing his face, and as he drew close to Haven said "I LIKE her!" in a way that sounded like he hadn't been too sure of what his reaction would be before hand. And when the boys first heard her cry, they both threw their hands over their ears! teehee! :) They spent much time lingering over their new sister, stroking and kissing her; inspecting her tiny features and loving on her. She really is a beautiful baby!

We got to spend a good chunk of time bonding with Sarah and Haven, but also with Angel. I was so glad for that time as well. I'll tell you friends....that boy is AMAZING! (As if we didn't already know that!) When you look at this child, sitting in his hospital bed and you begin talking with him, he is the same Angel as always...full of spunk and life. Vibrant and silly! He walked all the way (and back) to Sarah's post-partum room and spend a considerable amount of time visiting there. Looking at him, if you didn't know the torment his body had been through in recent weeks, you really wouldn't know how ill he was or what an incredible road to recovery lies ahead of him, save the two IV poles jammed with medication after medication. As we got ready to leave the hospital late last night, we spend another bit of time with Angel, just the three of us. He was playful and spunky, despite the late hour (10pm!) and kept teasing me that he was 'gonna take me down' someday. (He was on a wrestling kick just then!) We were able to help him prepare for bed and then our time at the hospital drew to a close and we bid him goodnight. I am just so, so, SO thankful and honored to have been part of such a special day in their lives! A blessing indeed!
With another busy day ahead of me as I prepare for Ellie's birthday this weekend, I will draw this post to a close with several pictures of the day yesterday.

What an amazing day! Thank you, Sarah for letting for me be a part of it!