On top of the unbelievable strength and determination I was honored to witness, I also got to watch just how in love Christy and Jason are. In fact, one of the most peaceful laboring positions for Christy was with Jason laying next to her in her hospital bed. It was beautiful. I’m admittedly a pretty big hopeless romantic and have loved love since I was very little… Watching the two of them love each other that way – the way I’d dreamed of loving my husband as a little girl – reminded me of “Where’ve You Been” by Kathy Mattea. (Need a good cry? Check it out. It’s a great one from 1989/1990.)

Christy and Jason – thanks so much for having me with you for Ava’s birth. The kind of love you two share with each other and now Ava is such a huge testament to how deep, strong, and tender love can be.

- Annie

For the full birth story, you can watch the video below. (Make sure you can hear the music!) Or, scroll down to see a handful of my favorite images.

Thanks for having me with you, guys! Brady is precious!!
- Annie

For the full birth story, you can watch the video below. (Make sure you can hear the music!) Or, scroll down to see a handful of my favorite images.

People ask me all the time how I can do what I do… and I’m sure that they’re mostly talking about the logistics of it all. Timing, being on-call by myself, babysitters, rearranging plans. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I’m blessed to have people to help me with those things. But at the heart of that question for me – how do I do it – is Toby. He sees my heart in a way that no one else can. And in that one moment, he loved me enough to create a way for me to be there for my kids and for my clients. At the time, the moment passed quickly. We scrambled to put the finishing touches on things so that we could have our family Christmas before I left. We dragged our sleepy kids out of bed and had Christmas morning at 2am.

It was perfect.

I left our house full of joy at quarter ’til 4 that morning. As I drove I kept thinking how I would always hold this Christmas close. I hoped that the kids would remember the Christmas that we celebrated at 2am because while they would be singing in church the next morning, I’d be listening to a baby’s cry instead. I still feel that way, but as I look back now, I also hope they’ll remember this Christmas and see the way their daddy loves their mama.

Fast forward a few hours… As I was watching Brian hold Archer and rock him gently, he was talking to Megan’s doula, Shakira. He looked up at his wife and said, “She really is my hero.” It was beautiful. I was completely overcome with the privilege of witnessing Megan and Brian’s love for each other and for their son. Megan’s willingness to stay strong throughout her natural labor and delivery. The way she reached for Brian as she breathed through each contraction. The way he held her – totally in tune with and in awe of his wife. Each moment a shining example of what I celebrate most each Christmas… love. Complete, selfless, joyful, overwhelming love.

What a perfect way to welcome Christmas.

This birth video was one of my absolute favorites to put together… Megan and Brian, it was such an honor to spend Christmas morning with you as you brought Archer into the world. Shakira, I absolutely loved watching you work. You were so intuitive and helpful! Thanks to all three of you for a Christmas I’ll never forget!

- Annie

For the full birth story, you can watch the video below. (Make sure you can hear the music!) Or, scroll down to see a handful of my favorite images.

Please be aware that while all of the content is tastefully captured and presented, this video does contain some images that are more revealing than those you might normally see in my birth videos.

Much love!
Annie

For the full birth story, you can watch the video below. (Make sure you can hear the music – Kristi picked all of the songs herself!) Or, scroll down to see a handful of my favorite images.