It's a Girl! Homebirth at the Neighbor's House! {Las Vegas Birth Photographer}

So, I like surprises and I think it's fun to not find out what the baby's gender is until the birth day. For the last few of my children, I've wanted to put out a big bouquet of pink or blue balloons. But I didn't ever really plan it so when it came down to it, I didn't ask anyone to run to the store and buy balloons for me ('cuz I sure wasn't going to!!) so I've never made the "yard announcement" I've wanted to. But Heather and Jared did! And wow, it was a good one!!! After three boys and a nine year gap, Heather gave birth to a precious baby girl!Now, Heather actually had gotten an ultrasound and she knew the baby was a girl, but Jared didn't want to know. So Heather kept this fantastic secret to herself (ok, and maybe a few others). She did go shopping though, so they would be prepared with lots of PINK, and she hid it underneath the green (read: neutral color) blankets in the drawer! LOL!
Baby Girl is literally just minutes old here. She's still resting from her big journey to the world!

Heather resting beautifully, and the midwife Margie Dacko talking to Jared.
The big brothers meeting their sister for the first time!


Heather's house has fantastic light!
The neighborhood kids meeting the new baby! Heather & Jared live in a small community. What an amazing opportunity for the kids there to be exposed to birth as a normal, healthy occurrence!!

Baby's first portrait session! Barely an hour old!
Hello Sweet Pea!
Congratulations Heather & Jared!!!

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I Hope They Call Me on a Mission!

Jon is going to Peru to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jon comes from a fantastic family of six kids. His older three siblings have also served missions, and I don't doubt his two little brothers will serve missions as well. And Jon has the most perfect smile. Ever.



We're missing another brother who is also currently on a mission and a sister who just welcomed another baby to her family.

We'll end with Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

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The Birth of Olivia

April & Jaret met in their hometown in California, dated for a good long time, and have been married for two years. Up until last week, it was just the two of them. Early Friday morning, they welcomed Olivia into their arms and they became a family!

At 38 weeks, April's doctor recommended an induction so off to the hospital they went.

April & Jaret are comic book fans and a few friends joined them for the early stages of labor, bringing with them some light reading material. :)

6:51pm Catching a nap before the long night!

8:03pm Waiting... waiting.... April is dilated to 4 cm.

There was a LOT of hand-holding going on! And it was sooo cute. I love hands. There are very symbolic to me in many ways. Hands give support and help and love. Hands are strong and soft and gentle and caring.

10:13pm Watching the monitors.

April labored quite well, until her doctor broke her water. This combined with the effects of the pitocin soon made contractions unbearable. She was dilated to 5 or 6 cm. We were asked to leave the room when she received her epidural. Afterwards, we all welcomed the chance to get a rest. April had been wanting a nap (and a snack, which she didn't get) all day!

4:16am Jaret and his mom in the wee hours of the morning.

Jaret just minutes before and minutes after the birth of his daughter.
See? Hands. I love them.

Jaret's mom with tears in her eyes.

I realize there are a lot of pictures of Jaret on this post. Yes, April was there, too!! As strong as April was on her own, Jaret was there to support her even more. He had so much concern for her, constantly watching the monitors, spooning her ice chips, stroking her neck, swaying with her, telling things that he knows would make her laugh - she said he was "flirting" with her! So super cute! I think the image of Jaret in the hallway says it all - the love and concern for his wife and child is just overwhelming. So while I didn't intend for this to be a post about Jaret and how great supportive husbands and fathers are... it is. Thanks Jaret!

What a gorgeous new mama!

Jaret just told his grandmother that Olivia's middle name is after his late grandfather.Welcome Olivia!

St. Rose San Martin Hospital

Dr. Keita Sakon

Lamaze class Well Rounded Momma

Doula & Birth Photography Jessica B Photography

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Nine Months of Waiting....

Isn't pregnancy so fun? The excitement, the anticipation... Gorgeous Heather and her family have chosen to wait until the birth to find out the baby's gender. Personally, I have done this (waited) four times, so I can say that it never gets old! It's always exciting, after all the labor and birthing the baby and then there is that moment of "It's a....." and everyone cheers and is so excited! So fun.

The linea negra. Aren't our bodies fascinating?!

Look for more of Heather in the next few days, so you can find out if she has a boy or a girl!!

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