Birth

We met through photography. We bonded through infertility. Once again, I’m in awe of the way God puts people in our lives to walk with…through the good and the bad. Rachael and I became good friends pretty quickly and soon realized we were both walking through the same difficult journey. It was so nice to have someone to talk to who knew exactly what I was feeling. The emotions, the heartache, the disappointment… she understood it all.

Then we both began new journeys that were full of hope and excitement. We started our journey to adoption and Neil & Rachael began their journey to a baby through in vitro fertilization.

Here we are today…both with babies! Isn’t God awesome?! Praise Him for His faithfulness! Rachael had her implantation in July and found out she was officially pregnant a few weeks following. In August, we got the call we had been chosen by a birthmother. I called Rachael and the first words out of my mouth were, “Baby Houser is going to have a friend!” Our daughter was born in October and we all waited as Graeme continued to grow in Rachael’s tummy. Finally the day arrived and Graeme Thomas Houser was born on April 1 by c-section.

I was completely honored when Rachael asked me to be her birth photographer. It was my first time but I said, “Of course!” We’ve been through this long road together…why not be there for her baby’s birth?! The hospital wouldn’t allow me to be in the operating room during the birth so I had to wait until she was sewn up to enter. However, Rachael did choose to have a “gentle c-section” which means she was able to watch everything as he was born and she was able to hold him pretty shortly after the doctor was finished with everything. What a beautiful thing it is. To watch a mommy hold her brand new baby for the first time is simply beautiful. I’ll be honest, I teared up but kept shooting through the watery eyes!

Thank you, Neil & Rachael (and baby Graeme), for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful journey. I can’t wait to watch Graeme grow up!