Matthew Lewis ~birth photography

Posted on August 2, 2011

Hello friends! I just posted Matthew’s birth slideshow link on Facebook and had this long post written about him and his family – only to be told it was too long and I had to shorten it! Thank goodness for the blog so I can talk about how I really feel about the experience and the family!!I can’t be short on this one, must tell the story!

Courtney, Matthew’s mama, contacted me in January of this year. If you can believe it she came across our website on the NILMDTS site! Her and her husband have wished and prayed and tried so long and hard for little Matthew she felt like she had to prepare for everything. While checking out my website in preparation for the worst she found our section on Birth Photography and fell in love. Thank goodness she contacted me, its changed my life!

I stayed in touch with Courtney throughout her pregnancy. I love hearing both the happy and difficult moments a pregnant mom faces; having two kids of my own not only do I love to be reminded of my own experiences I want mama’s to know I can relate and that they are not alone. In addition, although Courtney’s due date did not exactly fall during my family vacation, I wanted to be sure she had photography coverage for her special day, so made sure either Lindy or I would be available during the month of June in case the little man decided to come early.

Fast forward to mid June where “we” (ha! I felt like a team even way back then!) learned Courtney would have a c-section and was able to more or less guarantee my presence on the big day. Having been through challenging experiences the past few years Courtney wanted to make the most of everything about the pregnancy and birth; she wanted to get to know her photographer before the big day. We met at Panera’s in West Des Moines on the June 17th. In walks this gorgeous pregnant woman so casual and comfortable in a white t-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. We chatted for awhile, bonded, and then off we went our separate ways until the big morning arrived.

Although its up to the mom I LOVE to arrive at the hospital before the parents do and catch them walking in those fateful hospital doors. Mom and dad’s faces are always so bright and alive anticipating the arrival of their baby. Courtney and Brian were no different – all smiles as they walked through those doors. That was also the first moment I met Brian, Matthew’s daddy. His smile was as captivating as Courtneys, and I tell you he DID NOT STOP smiling that entire day.

Courtney’s c-section was delayed a bit due to some unexpected birth emergencies. Her and Brian stayed smiley the whole time – I’m not exaggerating here… SMILING and laughing together the entire wait. The smiles stopped cold when we learned I would not be allowed into the O.R. to photograph the procedure. Honestly smiles were wiped away from all of us when we learned that news. We went from being jovial and excited to being extremely disappointed that the entire reason I was there, the most important part of the day, I would not be allowed to document. We talked about this being a possibiltiy ahead of time but I don’t think any of us were prepared for the extreme disappointment we felt. With a Plan B in mind we knew Brian would have to photograph inside the O.R. and that I would include those photos in the slideshow. He was up to the task completely and did an amazing awesome job. He photographed everything I would have had I been blessed with the opportunity to witness the event.

Brian and I waited… and waited… and waited….. while Courtney went into the O.R., alone, to prep for the surgery. My heart ached for both her and Brian – I hated that she was there alone and hated that Brian had to watch from a tiny window on his tippy toes wishing he could be there holding his wife’s hand. The clocked ticked sooooo slowly I tell you… sooo slow. Brian and I made a plan for his photography duties while in the O.R. and when and how mine would resume once they came out of the room. We watched after one blue suited hospital employee entered the room after another, leaving Brian outside each time. I think we both anticipated the moment when he’d get the nod to join his wife. My chest is clenching as I’m typing this – it was such an anxious wait!

Finally he was allowed in – we set up that shot where he turned around and waved to the camera as he entered the O.R. doors – but I think he would have done it anyway – this man is like no man I have ever met.

tick

tock

tick

tock

as I waited for my new friends to come out – to bring their precious son into this big huge world of ours.

After what seemed like an eternity the door opened and they were there, Brian and his son. It was like it was just them in the whole wide world, the two of them… gone was the cold room that surrounded us, the blue clothed folks that helped bring Matthew into the world, the almost paralyzing disappointment we felt when the doc would not let me into the O.R. and the grudge we held against that doc the whole time. Brian and Matthew, entered the world outside that O.R.

Courtney is then wheeled out in her bed – smiles of course!! That girl didn’t stop smiling either (except when the grumpy doc told us NO earlier in the day). Her spirit was there, strong as ever, as she was wheeled back to her room – the most important job of her life had been completed, bringing Matthew into the world. Yet she had that knowing smile that her life as Mother had just begun.

So the rest of the day goes… it was all beautiful and wonderful, especially the moments when Matthew met his grandparents for the first time – in the hallway outside the waiting room after Matthew had his first visit with the pediatrician. Another memory that won’t easily fade from my mind – the moment Brian’s mom first saw her new grandson and the look of pride on her face as her eyes greeted her son, the first time dad. The hug that followed was so warm I even felt it where I stood.

I can’t thank you enough, Courtney & Brian, for changing my life in this way, for allowing me to be a part of the miracle of birth and to get to know the most warm, kind, friendly people I have met in such a long time. Love ya!!!!!!