I share many photos on here – more than a thousand to date, but more often than not the images of my friends and family stay private. I’m not sure why that is but after collecting images of this growing family over the last 5 years, I think it’s time to share a few.
Today is Adalynn’s 2nd birthday – so I set out to share her amazing birth story but I couldn’t leave out any details so we’ll rewind to when I first met the Blocker’s…
I was a newlywed and had left home for the first time to live with my husband at Camp Lejeune, NC when I met Ashley. She and Nate had a 2 year old and were pregnant with their second – a baby boy. As an aspiring photographer, I asked Ashley if she wanted photos of Brody’s birth. Nate had just deployed and I was able to take the first images that he would see of his first born son. On a sunny June day, I shared in the joy of welcoming Brody to the world. This was the first time I was ever in the delivery room…
Ashley has always been an inspiration to me – she showed me my first cloth diaper, sewed my first baby carrier, taught me about breastfeeding…
Over the next few months we became friends – spending afternoons at the beach, day trips to Wilmington and preparing for my for the birth of my first baby. A couple days before Thanksgiving in 2009, Nate made it home safely from Afghanistan to meet his 6 month old son and be reunited with his daughter.
Our babies grew and played …
Brody turned 1 and there was an unexpected surprise….
As is often the case in the Marine Corps, Nate deployed again just before this 3rd little Blocker was born.
Only 2 weeks after he left, Ashley’s water broke – it was an honor to be her birth partner and one of several amazing women who supported her as she gave birth to Adalynn peacefully at home.
That’s Nana, skyping from across the country <3
It’s hard to believe that was 2 years ago today! At the time I was 9 weeks pregnant with my second baby and only a month away from my own husband deploying. That night was the first time I spent the night away from my daughter – it was an emotional time to say the least. I haven’t even shared this with Ashley before – but after everyone was settled in that night I wrote Adalynn a letter so she’d know how special her birthday was and so that I would never forget a single detail.
Dear Adelynn,
Happy Birthday! I am one of the lucky ladies who were blessed with being present at your birth. Right now you are snuggled in bed with your mama – and before I head to sleep myself, I wanted to tell you about today – the day you were born.
This past Thursday, your mom and I went to her last prenatal appointment with Sherry, the midwife. She thought you had a ways to go before you were ready to be born – you had other plans!
Friday, your mom’s water began to leak… little by little you were working your way down and out. We had dinner that night at Olive Garden and Braelynn told me you would be born tomorrow and that you are a girl – and she was right!
At about 2:00am this morning I got a call – contractions are 2-3 minutes apart! I grabbed the camera and headed over. Beth, Jennifer, Katherine, Midwife Sherry and her assistant Donna all arrived over the next hour. By 4:00am we all rested and your mom tried to get some sleep – saving energy for later today.
Around 8:00am we all started to wake. Katherine made breakfast and we spent most of the morning sharing our own birth stories and experiences with each other. Sherry, your mom and I took a walk around the neighborhood in the cold weather and drizzling rain. Beth brought your brother and sister to her house for lunch and your mom tried to rest a bit before the contractions became stronger.
She labored on the birthing ball and listened to a hypno babies CD. At almost 1:00pm she was ready to get into the bathtub.
Throughout the entire day, your mom was peaceful and looked serene as she relaxed her mind and surrendered her body to the process that brought you into the world. She was strong and in control as she guided you out of her womb and into her arms. You are a lucky little girl whose first touch was that of her mother.
After about 20 minutes you both transitioned out of the tub and into the bed where you nursed and snuggled. We spent the rest of the evening making sure you and your mom were comfortable. You had your first diaper put on – soft and cottony with pink flowers. All evening we compared you to your siblings, wondered if your hair will be blonde or red and smiled over your heart shaped lips.
From before you were born, so much love and comfort surrounded you– but most of all you were surrounded by peace.
Although you are only 6 hours old, you have made a big sacrifice. As the child of a United States Marine – you didn’t have your dad here at your birth. He is across the world protecting the freedom of others. With all of the courage and strength he pours into his duty as a Marine, he also loves and will protect you. You don’t have to worry, you already know him. You remember his voice from inside your mom’s belly and you’ll hear it again through satellite phones and skype dates. It isn’t easy being so far away, but you are a great comfort and joy to your mom, Braelynn and Brody – they all miss him very much, too.
We will all look back on this day with such joy – it was a beautiful event when you entered our lives! Carry all of the love you received today in your heart forever.
Wishing you a lifetime of joy,
Jill
The next 6 months are a whirlwind – the day immediately following my own husbands return from Afghanistan, Nate came home to meet his 2nd baby girl and be reunited with Braelynn and Brody.
See more of this special day here.
That winter Braelynn turned 4, Brody turned 2 and before we knew it Adalynn was on her way to being a big sister, herself.
A year later, we moved away from Camp Lejeune. It’s hard not to have my childrens “first” friends around but we’ll be back for another visit soon.
To complete their story, Ashley and Nate welcomed their 4th miracle, Daxton. Baby Dax came about 5 weeks early, but I got to meet him when he was still “-1” day old .
Miss you guys & Happy Birthday Adalynn!