Eleven days overdue and things were finally happening. My cousin Courtney and her husband Steve were at the hospital and beyond ready to meet their little one. Her water was broken and Courtney went straight into full on contractions and things would only pick up from there…until the baby’s heart rate dropped. It was about this time when I arrived to document the delivery, only to be told there was a problem. And I would have to wait. Then a rush of doctors, nurses and an announcement over the intercom and Courtney was rushed past me, off to an emergency c-section. Steve was at her side, keeping a smile on his face and telling his wife what a rockstar she was. Shane stayed at the hospital with me and we sat with my aunt, the soon to be Grandma. Megs and Trevor arrived shortly after, followed by more family, and we waited. Until a nurse came by with the news that all was well and a healthy baby of 9 pounds 9 ounces had been born! The doctor who had performed the surgery appeared and invited me and my camera to recovery, where I laid eyes on a little bundle of pink skin and damp, downy hair in the big strong arms of its daddy. “Look at this guy!” It was a boy. Then the nurse placed him on Courtney’s chest and I had a few minutes to photograph this very new, very sweet family. Once out of recovery, everyone was welcome to join Courtney and Steve and their little one back in their room…for the gender reveal and a true first birthday party! So welcome little Koah Michael, whose name has the best meaning: “brave, bold, and fearless.”
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