Thursday morning was THE most memorable experience of my life. We laughed (thanks to Matt) cried when no one was watching (behind a camera lens) and welcomed beautiful Alyssa Taylor into the world. I swear, I’m not a sap, but right around 10:30 that morning I was! After 28 hours of labor, one of my best friends Ashley was FINALLY ready to give birth. This was after several painful hours of her family and I witnessing some pretty crazy contractions. When I look back on then whole of it all the hardest part for me was seeing her in pain before the epidural. Around 2 am the family and I retreated our separate ways, some to the corner of a waiting room, me to the back of my car. When we finally woke she was ready. (thank goodness!)
I was one of the privileged three in the room. I photographed for the first 10 minutes and then it came to a point where Ashley needed a bit of extra help. Matt and her mother took to the sides and I helped her curl forward. When the midwife said “this will be the last push and she’s here” I went in this mode: Like a stealth photographer (I’m laughing as I write this btw!) I let go of her shoulders for a sec and swooped down to grab the camera off the ground. As I stood up I pushed between her shoulders and started the rapid fire on my camera. I got THE shot. (not posted though… dont want child services coming after me!) My favorite shot from the whole day.
Its funny: the days leading up to her birth EVERYONE was asking me are you sure? Are you sure you want to take part in this and witness a birth? Do I really want to be even more terrified of having kids than I already am? (No joke, the idea scares the heck out of me!) I would not have had it any other way.
Ashley and Matt: I can not thank you enough. Really. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life and will forever be tied to you and your beautiful baby girl. Ashley, I am SOOOOO proud of you, looking back on the whole set of photos I cry again. (my Matt is standing over me chuckling right now) You will be one amazing mother. And Matt: I have no doubt in my mind Alyssa will grow up a comedian. There will always be smiles in the Aldridge-Baker household til the end of time.
She will be loved.
notice the death grip:
and what becomes of it:
smokin hot, even in labor!
The nurses totally staged this shot…. wrapped around daddy’s little finger already. 
