{Connor Rayburn} 03.05.15 Birth Story... red bluff, ca. birth photographer

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Hello everyone, this blog has been a long time coming. Little Connor is going to be turning 1 month old tomorrow. Boy does time fly. So...lets jump right into what we are all here for...the birth story.

I have said it once and I will say it again, his birth couldn't have been more perfectly executed. Everything down to the actual delivery seemed to go down text book style. And I have to admit I was pretty jealous, LOL.

The night before the actual birth I received a text from the couple alerting me that Jessica had finally started having contractions. As time went on they got significantly closer. Me, being the worry wart that I am, couldn't wait around any longer at home. The couple lives 45 mins away, and it being her first one with nothing prior to compare it to, I didn't want to chance the time lapse. Everything prior to this had been going pretty quickly and she had already dilated to 3cm. Within a few hours her contractions went from 10min to 3min apart. So I made plans to stay with a relative of mine, who lives in their town, so that I could be only a few minutes away. As babies usually do, little Connor had his own plans in mind and decided he would wait it out one more night cozy in his mommy's belly.

As luck would have it, contractions slowed and didn't pick back up until the next morning. Bright and early they were admitted to the hospital where I arrived shortly after. When I got there Jessica, her husband and her mom where sitting pretty going through each contraction with ease. As the day progressed, friends and family trickled in and everyone was so excited for Connor to make his debut.

She was dilating and contractions were coming with more frequency with every hour that passed. So Jessica decided she would like to have an epidural. Once the epidural was administered, however, progress seemed to slow. At this point the doctor's decided it would be a good idea to introduce some Pitocin to get the contractions moving again. All the while you would never have known she was in full blown labor at this point and almost fully dilated.

Before we knew it, it was time to pop her water bag. Things quickly went from smooth and calm to more painful and urgent. She had fully dilated but still needed to clear a small bit of cervix to allow the baby to come down. To help with this process the doctors used what is called a peanut and had her lay in different positions to help the process along. In a short period of time the cervix had fully thinned. The baby was on his way and it was time to push.

While the pain seemed to be intense for Jessica at this time, she didn't give up. Her husband and mom made great coaches pushing her to give it her all, and within the hour baby Connor was out and lying on mommy's tummy greeting the world. It was a beautiful entry and one I was tremendously grateful to be witness to.

Connor was born on March 5th, 2015 at 3:59pm., weighing in at 7lbs. 10oz. and measuring 20 1/2in. long.

Just a little side note. If you pay special attention to the photo at the end, you will see that it's a photo from the day Jessica was born. She is surrounded by her family and grandfather. As fate would have it Connor was born on his great grandfather's birthday. Now how perfect is that?

Jessica and Jason, congrats on your little bundle of joy and thanks again so much for having me.

*Note: Please click the full view icon and check settings to view at full quality, Or view via Youtube by hitting the Youtube icon. You may also click this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKb5qGTKGgU&feature=youtu.be

{Baby Connor} Birth Story Sneak Peek...red bluff, ca. birth photographer

Welcome Connor Robert Neil Rayburn

Born: March 5th, 2015

Time: 3:59 pm

Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz.

Length: 20 1/2 in.

I have been following this couple's journey for about a year now. Along the way I have grown a fondness for their love for one another. We started out with a session for Jessica & Jason's one year anniversary. During that time, Jessica mentioned that she and her husband would be trying for a baby. Well, low and behold by the time the session came around their wish for a baby had been granted. Connor was officially on his way and sitting pretty in his momma's belly.

At that point we set plans for a gender reveal session, a maternity session and a birth session, and I was so excited and grateful that they would want me to be involved in capturing these most precious events in their life. There is just something special about the development and birth of a baby and, if I'm being honest, it is my absolute favorite thing to capture. So thank you Jessica and Jason for having me present for your journey.

I won't say to much during this blog about the delivery details, as I will be blogging the full story along with a slideshow very soon. But I will say that spending time with their family and watching all the love they have for each other showed me just how blessed this couple and their baby is. Connor is a very lucky little man to come into this crazy world with such a wonderful family there to help him grow.

These photos are just a small part of the story. Be sure to check back for the full birth story in the coming weeks and congrats to everyone pictured below.

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{Lynch} Sibling Portrait Session...red bluff, CA children's photographer

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These little guys were a pleasure to work with. So cooperative and willing to let me follow them around with a camera! And, might I mention, they are complete doll faces! Seeing how much Alexis adores her little brother Grayson just made my heart melt. Thanks so much you guys for making my time with you special.

To view the entire gallery of photos please click here: 

http://jenycrewsphotography.pixieset.com/alexisandgrayson/

{Jessica + Jason} Celebrating One Year of Marriage...red bluff, CA couples photographer

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This has got to be one of my all time favorite couple's sessions. Word on the street is that Jessica met Jason while he was working at Borders bookstore. What better way to celebrate your love for each then to document your first married year together in, well...a bookstore. :)

Unfortunately, Borders is no longer in business so they chose their current favorite bookstore called The Bookstore in Chico, CA. (P.S. It's one of my favorite bookstores in Nor Cal as well. If your ever in Chico, you should definitely visit!)

Not only are these two celebrating their first anniversary, but they are also getting ready to welcome their first child together. Isn't that just so sweet?!

Be sure to check back as I will be documenting their pregnancy journey as well. Exciting stuff going on around here! Now...here are some of my favorites from their session.

To view the entire gallery of photos please click here: 
http://jenycrewsphotography.pixieset.com/jasonjessicaoneyearanniversaryportraitsession/