This year was a wonderfully big year for some of my dearest friends – well, family. But friends. Loved ones? Whatever you want to call them, I love them. These beautiful ladies are my cousins, and we’ve stayed pretty close throughout the years, despite not living near each other, and all of us having insanely ridiculous work/family/school schedules. My cousins have had an eventful year, and I am BEYOND thrilled to be able to be their official (ok, unofficial) event photographer, and have spent more time than usual (YAY!) with them this year. One of those big events that happened earlier this year is that we got news that both of them were pregnant! Not only were they pregnant at the same time, they were due a week apart – no planning on their part!
Back in March, I headed up to Reading to meet up with them for some maternity photos. We were thinking of doing something outside – you know, sunset, fields, pretty. And then March greeted us with 20 degree temperatures and freezing rain. So we made other plans. Below are some of my favorites from their maternity photos – make sure you scroll to the end, because I have a GOOD ending to this day down there. Promise.
Ok, so here’s the story. Kerri (longer hair, on the left above) was due a week after Sara (straight hair, striped dress above). Before our session, Sara told me that we may have to move it up (which we did, if I remember correctly), because there was a strong chance she’d be going into labor early, according to her OB. She was put on house arrest about a week before our session, with strict instructions to take it easy.
When we did these photos, the girls were about 35 weeks along. So of course during our session, there were plenty of “I don’t want to cause you to go into labor!” “Don’t do that, I don’t want your water to break!” “Can you lie down on your back? Don’t do it if it’s too much!” comments made. We were careful with both of them, but paid slightly more attention to Sara’s well-being and comfort. When we all left that afternoon, the girls felt fine. Kerri was heading out for evening plans, Sara was on the couch, and I went home.
Next morning, I wake up to a text sent by Kerri in the middle of the night, that HER WATER BROKE. She & her husband don’t live around here, they live in VT 3 hours away (doctor cleared her trip beforehand!). So they raced home in the middle of the night, and checked in at her hospital. And we received news of their new arrival later that day! Isn’t that crazy?? (And yes, I’m making you wait until the newborn photos to reveal both babies’ genders!) Here we are, making sure not to move Sara around too much, keep her resting and that baby inside, and Kerri’s baby up and jumps the gun and arrives 4 weeks early. The baby is and was completely healthy and amazing and wonderful – you’ll get to meet him or her soon. 🙂