I ALMOST didn’t make this birth. ALMOST. When I’m hired for a birth (usually in the first trimester) I talk extensively about communication, when to call/text me and how often once admitted. Julie and Joe were amazing at this, but baby girl decided she was in a hurry. THIS is the reason I tell people to text me EVERY LITTLE UPDATE, which they did, thankfully. 8:30 am. all checked into hospital. Still dilated to 3. 12:37 p.m. dilated to 4-5, midwife was about to break the bag of waters. I was having a ‘working’ lunch 10 minutes away and told my friends I was going to stop into hospital and check in with Julie, thinking it might be a few more hours. Julie was feeling well and not in much pain. 1:13p.m as I’m about to leave for hospital located “around the corner’ I get a text “We’re at 7-8″. “okay, I’m on my way” I text back. Driving, pulling into parking lot. 1:26 p.m.  “She’s 10′. I’m parking run into hospital, stop to get visitor pass, walk as quickly as my short legs will take me, Julie is saying “I have to push!” (There was no time for epidural going from a 5 to 10 in one hour!) Midwife gets all set up as I’m grabbing my camera out, get into place, three quick pushes and one amazing birthing yell later, baby was out! It’s a GIRL!! This is the story of Edynn Rae, born to Julie & Joe on Tuesday October 13th. The first moments baby is placed on mom is the most precious ever. Expressions are priceless, as Julie’s exhaustion from going ALL NATURAL are evident in the first image of three above. Then pure wonder and excitement quickly follow. Dad says ” I already have two daddy’s girls, now I have one more!” with the biggest grin on his face. LOVE. Oh, that first hand hold.. Big sisters come in to meet baby Edynn, and are full of wonder. I adore these moments. This image though… I hope when they are older and maybe when one is standing up as maid of honor at the others’ wedding, they show this image and say ‘I remember meeting you for the first time, and we’ve been best friends ever since.” Congrats, you beautiful family you.