Clive’s First Days of Life

Early in my pregnancy with Clive, my talented photographer friend Caroline of Coeur de La Photography told me she wanted to be there to document my home birth. I had never really considered having birth photos, since I’m a pretty modest person and during Fern’s birth I didn’t want anyone else aside from Craig and my midwives there. I also didn’t think there was any way it would actually work out, since Caroline lives in the San Francisco area and we live in Portland. While it’s only a short flight away, birth is unpredictable. I didn’t know when Clive would arrive so that would mean that Caroline would have to book a flight last minute at the start of my labor and I figured there was no way she’d make it in time. I was totally sure my labor was going to be markedly faster than it was with Fern and hers was only 12 hours.

But, I think Clive must’ve wanted his Auntie Caroline to be there for his birth, because he took his sweet time in arriving. I went into labor in the early hours of Sunday morning (Caroline had just shot a wedding the day before, so his timing was pretty perfect) and once I realized that labor was progressing slowly I sent her a text and she replied almost immediately with: “Can I book a flight?!” So I figured, why not? She booked a 12:30 flight and would be arriving around 3:00 PM.

When Caroline gets a wild hair she can’t be stopped and such was the case with her coming to photograph Clive’s birth…and I’m so glad she did. She captured the story of his birth and our first two days with him so beautifully. She also documented my pregnancy from the beginning, capturing our birth announcement photos and maternity shots  as well, so having her there for Clive’s birth felt like coming full circle and so perfect. And as a bonus, she was there to hold my hand through contractions, made me my first postpartum meal and ran to the grocery store the next morning to bring me cinnamon rolls and flowers. I mean…does it get much better than that? I am so blessed to have such a beautiful and generous friend. These photos are seriously a gift that I will treasure forever.

I could’ve include descriptions alongside the photos, but honestly I feel like they speak for themselves and tell the tale perfectly. I will forwarn you that this post is obscenely photo heavy…like almost 90 photos. I know…kind of ridiculous. BUT, I couldn’t narrow them down anymore, because it wouldn’t capture the whole story.

{All photos taken by Caroline Dahlberg of Coeur de La Photography}

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See more of Caroline’s work (or better yet, just hire her!) here.

xo

Lauren

Comments

  1. Such beautiful pictures!! It’s still so crazy how big Clive was! He looks like he’s 3 months old! 🙂

  2. These are amazing. I love how Craig is in a different spot/position in each of the labor photos 🙂

    Fern’s curly hair is too cute too!

  3. LAUREN!!! these are beyond beautiful and precious!! what a treasure to have these forever!

  4. I could look at these over and over. Such a beautiful story they capture. I have some beautiful family 🙂

  5. OMG Lauren these are so amazing. Sitting at my desk and crying. That moment when Fern meets Clive… I had the exact same moment in our bed with our two littles and it seriously killed me. So sweet! Can’t wait to meet Clive!

  6. So many beautiful pictures, but can I just say “YOUR HAIR!” Seriously, it’s amazing.

  7. Sara Pietila says:

    Gorgeous photos… looking at these inspires me to have some photos taken at my next birth! What type of cosleeper/bassinet is that? Looks lovely.

  8. Lauren, these photos are stunning. You are so lucky to have such a talented friend! The ones with you and Clive outside are my favorite. Your hair looks amazing, too!! What a special set of pictures for you and your family to have! xo

  9. those birthing photos are beautiful. thanks for sharing them – what an amazing experience to capture.

  10. What’s the sling thing the midwife is dangling Clive in? I’ve seen these in other home birth photos too

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