My newest, and darling neice was born the day after Thanksgiving. This was the BEST Thanksgiving holiday I've had in a long time. My husband and I drove the 8 hour drive to Pennsylvania from North Carolina for the long weekend and I'm so glad we did. Mia's due date was the 27th, but since she had a serious heart condition, they checked Elsie into CHOP on the 23rd to be induced. The labor went much quicker than expected, so we arrive a few hours after Mia was born.
I actually photographed the birth of Liam, Mia's big brother, so it was even more special that I got to be at the hospital to document the day Mia was born. A huge group came to support Elsie and Matt since Mia had to stay in the CICU until she was sent to open heart surgery a few days later. I'm SO glad they let us come be with them on such an exciting, love-filled, and scary day in their lives. I love my family so much, and I love sharing such big life changing experiences with them like these.
Matt's amazing 'stache is courtesy of no-shave november. It's like all of those moustache mugs/shirts in real life.
Elsie was a ROCK. I remember my first hours/days in the hospital after my baby was born as one big emotional blur, and that was with a healthy baby in my arms. Elsie delivered Mia and then Mia was whisked away to be taken care of. This was the ONLY moment I saw her shed tears. And of course her brief moment of tears made me cry in the hospital, then on the way home that night, and again as I was editing these photos.
This photo above also makes me choke up. Matt's whispering in her ear. A father's love is truly amazing to witness. I love seeing my big brother as a dad...I think our own dad would be so proud of him right now. I know I am, and I'm just his little sister:)
I love you guys! Thank you, thank you for letting me photograph this!
EDIT: I should mention that Mia is doing really, really well. She had her surgery and is now home recovering. And recovering well at that:) We're so grateful for CHOP and modern medicine!