This past October was the busiest season that I have ever had. I had jammed most sessions into a two week timeframe in order to be “on-call” for Austin and Jimmy’s upcoming birth. I had documented their pregnancy up to this point and was so excited to meet Baby James. I saw Austin in September at her Reveal Night for her maternity session and I thought for sure she was going to go into labor early. Boy was I wrong!
It was October 12th and Austin was two weeks overdue, uncomfortable and ready to have this baby! She called to let me know that they were being admitted for an induction that evening and I should be prepared to come to the hospital the next day. I had all of my childcare lined up and ready to go and was about to go to bed when I got the call that things were progressing faster than expected. Change of plans! I called Austin’s best friend Lisa (Baby James Godmother) and asked if she could spend the night at my house in case I needed to leave in the middle of the night. Of course she was in my driveway within 20 minutes. SHE WAS SO EXCITED!!!!
At 3am I jumped out of bed when my phone beeped with a text message from Jimmy. Things were moving fast! I tell my clients to call me when they are 5 cm dilated but Austin blew right past that and progressed to 8cm in a half hour. I was in my car and in her room at Exeter Hospital within 20 minutes.
By the time I had arrived, things had calmed down and Austin was resting comfortably with and epidural. The room was filled with the sound of the babies heart beat on the monitor and some country music on the radio.
By 6am, we were convinced that he was coming. Her contractions were strong and she was shivering a lot. Jimmy was such a great coach! He held her hand, got her water, rubbed her feet and reassured her that she was doing great.
As the hours went by with no change, Jimmy’s mom, Jane and I encouraged them both to get some sleep. Jane was amazing with both Jimmy and Austin. She had a calming manner about her that put everyone at ease and she was definitely a HUGE support to both of them (and to me – she fed me and shared her blanket!)
By mid-morning, Jimmy’s dad showed up excited to meet his grandson. The support that this family showed through this long day was amazing to me and it definitely helped the day move along for mommy to be.
The running joke all day was that Baby James was just waiting for it to start raining. See, there has been rain for all of the important occasions in Austin and Jimmy’s journey. Their wedding day it rained, the day they announced they were having a baby boy it rained, her baby shower – it rained and sure enough at 5:30pm on October 13th it began to rain.
After nearly 24 hours in labor and no progression in the last 18 hours – it was time to call it. The doctors had recommended a c-section. Once again, Jane was there to calm both Jimmy and Austin, talking them through it all.
We had been through a long journey so far and we were completely bummed when they said only one person in the operating room. UGH! No birth photos :(. But, the amazing nurses at the Exeter Hospital Family Center lobbied to get me in right after the baby was born. YAY!!!!
Jimmy and I gowned up and were ready to rock and roll! While they were prepping Austin, Jimmy turned to me and said “thank god you are here, I am not sure what we would have done without you!”. It was a great moment for me but the best was yet to come!
Jimmy went first to be with Austin and I patiently waited to be called in. I could see the doctors through the glass and was excited when I realized I WOULD indeed get to see Baby James be born. I snapped through the glass as he was being pulled out and turned to Jane who was waiting in the hall behind me and I said “HE IS A TODDLER”. What a big boy!!!
The nurse came right out and got me and I was so excited to capture the first moments of little James’ life!
James William LaFlamme was born October 13th at 6:20pm weighing in at 9 lbs 9 oz and 22 inches long.
This little man sure was worth the wait. Once his mama laid eyes on him, all was right with the world. And then there were 3!
Daddy was joking with Baby James that since he made them wait so long for him, he was going to forever have to wait for his Christmas and birthday presents – this pout quickly changed Daddy’s tune.
This little guy is already spoiled rotten with Grandparents who adore him and Aunties and Uncles who can’t wait to love on him!
You can see The Birth Story of James below:
If you or someone you know is looking for a New Hampshire Birth Photographer please CONTACT ME today. I would love to capture your upcoming Birth Story.
