Little Noah has Arrived!!

Well its official, Jeff and I are the crazy aunt and uncle!! My sister, Lynn, and her husband, Jared, just had their first little boy, Noah Alvaro, yesterday at 1:03pm in Seattle, WA. He weighed in at 8lbs 3 ounces and 21.5 inches long. I flew in to Seattle this past Wednesday to help Lynn and Jared finish all of their preparations - nursery, last minute errands, etc. - but I really didn't think she would have Noah while I was here (although I was hoping). She was due this next Monday, and most first pregnancies go well past the due date. But Lynn broke all of the rules with a first pregnancy and had Noah early and quickly!

I was there for the labor and delivery and photographed as much as I could. Not only was it incredibly meaningful to capture all of the most precious moments for my sister and bro-in-law, it was one of the best lessons in true photojournalist photography I've ever had. I was forced to create solid images out of rapid events in very difficult hospital lighting (soooo flattering...) with not much room to work with. And of course, I had no control over the action! But I loved every minute of it and had to share my favorites moments with everyone

Lynn went into labor at 3:15am and we were in the hospital by 5:15. I remembered to actually record the time at 5:51am.

Lynn just as we arrived and right before major contractions started. She brought the headband because she wanted to be cute during her labor! I loved it!!

Lynn had an epidural, which seriously, I don't know how anyone did/does it without one. I applaud every woman in history that gave birth with no meds!!

Everyone says that its an amazing experience watching someone give birth, and I was so emotionally overwhelmed by it. Its a good thing I was behind the camera, because I was losing it!! Here's Noah seconds after being born and Lynn seeing him for the first time. There's plenty more images of Noah at this stage, but I decided to be nice and show one of the less "gooky" ones!

My absolute favorite image that I think I have ever taken. Everything was happening in a whirlwind and suddenly my view was completely blocked when Jared was about to cut the umbilical cord. I quickly ducked at the last minute and only had time to shoot off two images before Noah was whisked away. I was praying that at least one was in focus and I just about died when I saw that I nailed it! I feel like this image says it all - Lynn holding Noah, Jared's hands with the scissors, his ring on his hand, the blood on her gown - it all says that he's finally here.

Big boy!!

Getting cleaned up by the baby nurse.

It always shocks me that they come out with finger and toenails!

I'm a dad!!!

Daddy holding Noah for the first time. Uncle Jeff, don't cry at this one. I know you are!!

My mom had been driving out from Idaho to Seattle and had spent the previous night in Oregon. When Lynn went into labor early, my mom raced the rest of the way to Seattle and ran through the hospital door just minutes after he was born! Great timing!! Here she is seeing her first grandchild for the first time. I think she's planning the next hundred gifts she's going buy him already!

Mom and baby boy.

A few hours later, Noah had to get his first bath, which I think was the cutest thing I'd ever seen!

He got his head scrubbed, which was more like a head massage!

Aunty Erin!

After a little rest and the lovely headband, Lynn was the cutest new mom ever!

And yes Jared, you're the cutest new dad ever.