The anticipation of this birth was crazy. This baby boy was very content in mommy’s belly so at 2 weeks PAST her due date Crystal headed to the hospital to start the inducing process. But this baby had other plans. Crystal was not progressing at all so they had her come in the night before she was scheduled to be induced to start a thinning process. But early that morning… Crystal went into labor. At 6am I got a phone call from Carolyn (Crystals mom) saying that Crystal was already dilated to a 5! Seeing as how last I knew (the day before) she still hadn’t gone into labor on her own so we were anticipating a LONG and possibly tough labor. We were wrong. Apparently this baby boy decided that if we were going to try to force him out, he was going to show us and come out on his OWN terms.

When I got the call I was SO excited. I jumped up and started getting ready. I fixed my hair and put on my makeup and lay out my clothes. Then I text Carolyn to check on Crystal’s progress… still a 5. So I lay back down.. about an hour and a half later I get a text from Carolyn.. Crystal is at an 8!!! I jumped up and started getting dressed. I asked B to grab the camera bag I had packed the night before from off my desk in the studio. Maybe 15-20 minutes later I got another text… she was a 9 and he was VERY close!! I grabbed my bag and SPRINTED out the door. When I got to the room Crystal was doing great. She was calm and excited. Crystal, Bronson, Carolyn, Bronson’s mother Kay and I sat around and talked.. and waited. The time flew by… but it wasn’t until the nurse came in and started pulling out the tables and supplies and getting everything ready for delivery that it REALLY flew by. From that point on it was all just a blur of craziness. Apparently the baby had turned right before the delivery and was face up (which makes for a difficult delivery.) After several pushes Crystals doctor told her he was going to have to turn the baby. Crystal’s epidural never seemed to help with any of the pain and she had a VERY difficult delivery. I watched as Kay and Carolyn had tears in their eyes as they watched Crystal. Bronson never let go of Crystals hand. Afterward I told Carolyn that I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been to see your child.. your little girl.. in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it. I watched Crystal in amazement and fear all at the same time. I was amazed at how much strength she had. I’ve known her for over 2 years and I didn’t realize just HOW strong and brave she was until this moment.

Finally… he came. We heard the words, “He’s here!!” and then a few short seconds later.. his cry. The nurses rushed him over to start cleaning him up. The more they worked on him, the louder that little cry got. :) I followed them over while Bronson, Carolyn and Kay stayed with Crystal. Once she was okay one by one they came over to peak at him… Bronson was first. I think the first thing I heard him say is.. “Hey little Dude!!” :) He was perfect. 8 lbs, 13 oz, 21 inches long.. Kannon Bronco Brown. He was BEAUTIFUL. I can’t wait to watch this little boy grow up and I couldn’t be MORE ecstatic for Bronson and Crystal. God has blessed them.

Congratulations again Crystal and Bronson.. and thank you so much for letting me be there and experience in this miracle. :)