For the past nine months, my good friend Rachael has been cooking a baby. :) She's been getting the house and everything ready. She's honestly awesome about having her babies' nurseries all ready to go and perfect. I just love it. I was never that prepared. Rachael, Justin, and even James have been ready and waiting on little Lauren for a while now.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned in passing to Rachael that I would love to photograph the birth, but I figured if she was anything like me there was no way anyone extra was going to be in the delivery room. So, when she texted on the morning of the 29th to let me know that she was having a lot of contractions, I went ahead and took my camera to town with me just in case, so I could at least stop by and take pictures after I got off work. Imagine my surprise when she called me just a couple of hours later and said that I could indeed come and photograph the birth!!! What an honor! I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

Since I don't like the thought of leaving my camera in my car all day downtown, and the bag is pretty heavy to tote around, I left it with my Mom when I dropped the kids off that morning. Rachael's labor with James lasted nearly 24 hours, so I figured I would leave downtown when she was around 6cm, and head to the hospital.

They checked her upon arrival and she was at around 2cm, and then an hour or so later she was closer to 4 or 5cm. Justin was texting me updates, and once she got her epidural which was close to noon I figured things might slow down, so I planned to go workout like normal, and then head her way. I was on the elliptical when I got a text that she was at 9cm! Holy crap! I just knew I was going to miss the entire thing. I literally sprinted back to my office to grab my things, and rushed to my car. Called my Mom on the way and begged her to meet me at the hospital with my camera. Then I called Justin to see if Rachael was already pushing. To my surprise I appeared to be the only person freaking out. :) He was perfectly calm and said "she's right here, do you want to talk to her?" Ha! So, typically when I'm at 9cm, I've completely lost it and am screaming for a doctor, but Rachael was cool as a cucumber. You'd never of guessed she was sitting in a hospital bed about to have a baby. Maybe I should have given the epidural a try after all.

My Mom had literally dropped everything and loaded all three kids up to meet me. Two of them were in just diapers. She and I ended up getting there at the same time, and I ran upstairs to meet Justin. I got there just after 12:40, and baby Lauren arrived at 12:58! To say I nearly missed it would be an understatement.

Since she had the baby so fast, I contemplated going back to work and finishing out my day, but decided to stick around and keep taking pictures of Lauren. :) I'm glad I did too! The hospital was very accommodating. Justin just told them one little white lie (that I was his sister), and I was allowed to go with him for Lauren's measurements and her first bath!

Rachael and Justin are very popular! They had sooooo many visitors and grandparents! Such a blessing. :)

I brought Anna up the next day, and she was all in Rachael's business. :)  Haha! — I brought Anna up the next day, and she was all in Rachael's business. :) Haha!

I feel super blessed to have gotten to be a part of something so special! Not many people get to be a part of a birth that's not one of their own children. :) Thank you so much Rachael and Justin!