This post today means the world to me. Colleen, owner of Capture Life Moments and a great friend of mine, reached out to me a couple months ago about photographing the birth of her son. She is so incredibly sweet and would do anything to help someone. I knew no matter what, I just had to be in that delivery room with her! To say I was honored and thrilled would be an understatement. I was over the moon excited that I could give Colleen and her wonderful husband, Andy, photos to document this important moment in their life.

I received a text from Colleen late Saturday night saying her water had broke while she was out for dinner at Olive Garden with her sister! Even though it was two weeks earlier than her due date, I had my camera bag packed and ready to go! I sat by my phone all night, barely sleeping, waiting for the call to head to the hospital. Around 8am Sunday morning, I got the text that baby would be arriving in just a few short hours so I hopped in my car and sped to Appleton Medical Center to join Colleen and Andy. We chatted for hours as we waited for the “time to start pushing” signal from the nurses. We talked about everything, from running our photography businesses, to how little Stanley will be Colleen’s new assistant, to all the birthing traditions of the Hmong culture. It was no different than all the other times I would hang out with Colleen, except that soon their would be a baby joining us! Finally around 1:30pm the time had arrived! I watched in awe as Colleen worked as hard as she could to bring their little baby into this world; Andy always by her side, helping her in anyway possible! At 2:10pm, all that hard work finally paid off.

Little Stanley Walter was born Sunday, July 12 at 2:10pm weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and measuring in at 20 inches long.

There are no words to describe how beautiful it was to see Colleen and Andy meet their son for the very first time. The pure joy in their faces melted my heart. I know they will be fantastic, kind, wonderful parents to little Stanley. I am beyond humbled that they would invite me to be a part of such an amazing, life-changing experience for their family. It’s moments like this that remind me my purpose in life is so much more than creating pretty photos. It’s to document real, genuine moments that will transcend time and show that love is the most beautiful part of our existence.

Congratulations Bies Family!! I’m so happy I could be on this journey with you! I already need some more Stanley hugs and snuggles in my life! I think it’s time for me to visit again.

Colleen’s mother performed a blessing for Colleen and the baby

Oh my goodness, I was seriously crying by now and I had to shoot through the tears!

Little Stanley Walter! He’s already perfect!

Before little Stanley was born, Colleen made a coffee thermos for Andy that says “Baby Loves You” and presented it to him just two hours after their son was born. It’s seriously incredible!

Time for little Stanley to meet his grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins!

Enjoy your journey in this new world, little man!