I can hardly believe this little guy is turning ONE in just a few days!  It seems just like yesterday that I was photographing his ..Newborn Session.. and his ..6 Month Session..!  It’s wild how time flies!  Jackson and I had an AH-mazing little session, he melted my heart.  Perfect and all that our session was fire fighter themed!  After all, who can withstand an adorable little fire fighter anyways?  By now if you have followed this little guy, you know that his daddy is a fire fighter for the itsy bitsy little town just a minute from my parent’s house.  So being that they weren’t swamped with fires to put out, or calls to follow, we had full reign of the fire station!  Too much fun for me!

We started with Jackson in his fire engine red shirt and his brand spanking new pair of shoes.  His first shoes to be exact!  To sum up how much he has grown, we had him sit next to the same helmet we curled him up in during his newborn session.  It just puts things into perspective when you have your own kids on how fast time just vanishes.  He was such a ham and and had nothing but smiles.  Not to mention the exploratory side when he saw himself in the shiny panel of the truck grill!

When outfit number two came out, I thought I was going to die from the cuteness factor.  Shortly before Jackson was born, Jack (his father) bought him an outfit that resembled a fire fighter suit.  For the fun of it, he even had their last name embroidered on the back for him.  It fit him perfectly and worked out so well for the rest of the session at the fire house.  Uncle Jason even came up to join in the family fire fighter shot, as Jackson was more amused in all the equipment hanging from their gear than smiling for the camera!

After “Wheels on the Bus” and “I Love You” stopped working for smiles, we took a break by riding down the road to some broken down barns.  They worked out nicely for his last sweater outfit.  And even though we were inching ever so closely to nap time, I was able to capture some of those great smiles!  Needless to say, I just can’t wait to see this little cutie in front of my camera again!

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echoes of love

On Tuesday, November 15th there was a fog delay for school that morning, as Jana was feeling awfully thankful that she had just a little bit longer to relax before heading into work.  She was feeling crampy but didn’t think much of it because they weren’t too serious.  After the delay had passed she reported to work and continued to feel uncomfortable.  Thinking she would be back the next day, she told a co-worker she would see her then.  Once she arrived home, Jana’s mother encouraged her to call the doctor.  She was only one day past due and the nurse advised that her and Jeremy head to the hospital.  Thinking that they were just going to send them right back home, they went anyways.  It was a good thing they had started making their way there, because Jana’s water broke in the car.

Checking in, they confirmed that Jana’s water had broke and that she was already making good progress.  Her nurse told her they expected the baby to be born within the next 8 hours.  With Mommy and Daddy both shocked, they called their families to inform them that ‘Baby Bear’ was on it’s way.  From there, Jana’s labor progressed very quickly and within a couple of hours she felt the need to push.  An hour in, ‘Baby Bear’ was about to make his/her debut.  Being that the baby’s gender was a surprise, Jeremy was suppose to announce what he/she was when he/she came out.  Jana explained, “The baby came out and Jeremy was crying and said, it’s a BOY!” Jeremy was so proud of Jana, and he said, “It was the happiest day of my life.”  Elam Nathaniel was born at 10:40 p.m. and he weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 ozs. and was 20 inches long.

Jana recalls a happy moment, “Elam was lying on my chest and Jeremy and I started talking to him.  He immediately became alert and responded to our voices.  It was absolutely precious and a memory we will always treasure!”  She went on to say, “Leading up to the arrival of our first baby, Jeremy and I were nervous about being parents and all the changes that were going to be taking place in our home and in our marriage. Now that Elam is here, it just feels like it was always meant to be this way. Like our family is now complete. We thank the Lord for the amazing gift he gave us in Elam Nathaniel. We are praying God’s richest favor and blessing over his life and that Elam would do great things for the Lord’s kingdom. We are so excited for this new journey that we are on!”

Jana’s Mom made the sleigh that little Elam is laying in.  Oh so crafty and ADORABLE at that!

Yes, Elam has been dubbed a Brown’s fan…(poor kid…lol, sorry Jer!)

Baby Bear…I could just eat him up, LOVE this next series…

Jana and Jeremy have a family Bible.  They chose to have a family photo with their treasured verse of John 16:22!

Jana and Jeremy, thank you so much for allowing me to come meet ‘Baby Bear’ and to photograph him in his first week of life.  He truly is a gift from God and I am so happy for the both of you!  You both are going to make tremendous parents and I can’t wait to see the little man he grows up to be!

..BABY BEAR..

love, echo

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echoes of love

I was so spoiled this last week…Between sessions and seeing our nephew, I got to hold so many little boys!  It has also been very interesting to hear all of their birth stories.  I’m now more intrigued than I have ever been before, mainly because I have been in their shoes and I have experienced the same thrill, excitement, ambition, and love.  It’s amazing how something so little can change your life so quickly!

For Nicole, a high school friend, and her husband Chad, they too are brand new parents.  The night before Halloween they were over at Chad’s brothers house for dinner and trick or treating, when Nicole started to not feel that great.  They decided to make their way home where Nicole chose to lay down.  Shortly after is when her contractions began.  After laboring at home for a good portion of the evening, they got in the car and headed towards the hospital.  After being admitted they contacted their families and around 3 a.m. everyone started to arrive.  Nicole stated, “It was great being surrounded by all of our family and friends during the best time in Chad and I’s life.”

During Nicole’s labor, the doctors discovered that their baby boy was “sunnyside up.”  Twenty two hours later on October 31st, Knox Thomas was born by emergency c section at 6:34 p.m.!  He weighed in at 7 lbs. and 13 ozs. and measured 20 inches long.  Being that he was born by c section Chad was the first to hold little Knox.  Once momma was in recovery she finally had the chance to hold her sweet boy.  (I can imagine that felt like a lifetime!)  Nicole said that she started crying instantly when Knox was wheeled into the room.  She looked at Chad and “his eyes were glazed with the happiest tears.”  She went on to say, “The instant bond we had together as a family, I have never felt such a stronger connection and love like that before until that moment! I held Knox and I couldn’t believe he was all ours, every time I think of that moment I still get tears of joy! He is the best gift God has given Chad and I, and we are so so blessed!”

Chad is a firefighter, and they requested the shot on the left!  What a special portrait to have…

Nicole and Chad, thank you so much for allowing me to come photograph your sweet little Knox.  How precious he was!  I wish you all the best in this coming year and know that I speak from experience already, time flies!  Enjoy each and every moment!  Congratulations again!

..SUNNYSIDE UP..

love, echo

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echoes of love

Shortly after we found out we were expecting last December, Brad and I decided it was time to find all three of us a home.  After getting a referral from a guy at work, we had a chance to meet Morgan…one fantastic realtor!  We began our quest in search for a home with only her and our parents knowing that we were pregnant.  After Christmas and resuming our search, she had the same news as us…her and her husband Michael were also expecing!  Morgan and I were only a week apart and found ourselves talking about houses, pregnancy, and our little ones on the way!  It was thrilling and exciting for both of us to see each other grow and experience the same things together.  So when Morgan showed us the house in July we knew was going to be ours, we realized just how close that would bring closing to our due dates.  Needless to say, by closing time Morgan was already on maternity leave and both of us ready to pop any day!

While still wrapping up moving, we found out that Morgan got checked into labor and delivery on Monday the 15th, my due date.  She wasn’t due for another week, but after measurements by the doctor he believed that she was ready to go!  So after her unexpected check in, Michael had to run home and get all of their things.  Morgan stated, “I was freaking out!”  After 18 1/2 hours of labor, Roman Michael finally made it.  He was born the following day on August 16th at 1:30 a.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and 22.5 inches long.

The following day was when my little one was scheduled to arrive, so even though we weren’t able to meet up for a newborn session, Morgan asked me to photograph Roman at three months.  I can hardly believe our little guys are three months old already, and boy was Roman a little ham!  He reminded me so much of Elijah and I had the best time photographing his adorable little self.  After asking the proud parents how it felt, Morgan replied, “I would say my life finally feels complete with him.  I look into his eyes and my whole world stops, my heart melts, and I truly know what it means to say I’d do anything for him.  He’s the greatest gift ever!”  Ditto!

Had to get the whole family…Kingston and Kobi included!

Michael, Morgan, and sweet Roman, thank you so much for allowing me to come photograph your beautiful little family!  I can’t wait to do it again and get our little guys together to play and talk parenthood as they continue to grow!  Enjoy…

..LITTLE HAM..

love, echo

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echoes of love

It was 7 a.m. and we were taking that last photo of me and my belly before getting into our car.  We had a 20 minute drive south to our hospital.  I was 2 days past due and we had a scheduled 7:30 a.m. induction.  On the ride there I expected to be nervous with my stomach in knots about what was to come that day.  But I wasn’t!  I was ecstatic for the day to begin…probably the happiest you will ever find me that early in the morning.  It was the day that I had waited for and prepared for for 40 weeks, my baby was going to be born and there was no excitement that could compare.  We jammed to our favorite radio station as I prayed for favor over my labor and delivery.  Brad looked over and asked if I was nervous.  I shook my head and smiled as I kept on singing to my favorite song, praising God for all that he had done.

Arriving at the hospital we parked in the spot specifically designated for new moms, walked into the hospital with our bags, and rode up the elevator to check into labor and delivery.  We were swept away into our room as I was being hooked up to every monitor that they could think of…a first for me.  Our families along with our doula arrived and it put me at ease with all that was already going on.  My doctor walked in at 8 a.m. and asked if we were ready, and we began the whole process.  It was nice to know that within hours I was going to be able to meet our baby for the first time.

Before I knew it I was getting my first noticable contraction.  I breathed through it without too much of a bother, and continued to engage in conversation.  Within minutes they continually got stronger and I had to stop what I was doing to breathe through them.  They began coming faster and a bit stronger and we cleared the room so that I could concentrate.  I had Brad, our doula Beth, and my circle of women supporting me the whole way through.  Due to the baby being in an odd position it made things a little harder on me, but I just got through each contraction one by one.  Brad shared bible verses with me as I lost all track of time and became zoned in my own little world of breathing in and out, in, and out again.  Before my body was ready I had the instant urge to push…Beth helped me specifically breathe through what I believe was the toughest part of my whole labor.

Finally the nurse told me I was ready and we were on to the most relieving part…I could push!  It was about 2 p.m. and I was ready to have this baby in my arms!  After 2 hours of pushing and a few more complications, our baby was finally laying on top of my stomach.  Such a huge sigh of relief as I laid my head back in exhaustion.  I heard our doctor say, “I was righhhhtttt!” and everyone said, “well“…”It’s a BOY!”  I looked up at Brad as his face welled up into a beautiful sob and I couldn’t do anything more than smile back at him and shed a few tears myself.  They cleaned him off and immediately placed him right back in my arms.  I felt like my whole world was laying on my chest.  He had a head of beautiful blonde hair and his big steel grey eyes stared right back into mine for the first time.  It was a moment that could never be replaced.

In anticipation everyone asked, “So what is his name?”  Brad proudly announced, “Elijah Cole.”  I watched my sister Nicole, whom was photographing the whole event, break out into tears as she cried,”I was right sis!  His name, I was right!”  She had a very prophetic dream that we had a boy.  She said she kept hearing in her dream, “Eli Cole…Eli Cole.”  Months before she had told me about the dream, but was keeping all the details a secret to see how right she was.  It was so amazing and something I will never forget!

So at 4:03 p.m. on August 17th, we gave birth to Elijah Cole.  He weighed 8 lbs. 2 ozs. and was 19 inches long.

So three months later here is our little guys entrance story…more to come soon!

..MY WHOLE WORLD..

love, echo

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echoes of love