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3am Text Messages

A perfect little six day old client.
A perfect little six day old client. © 2013 Audra L. Gibson

Generally speaking, it's lousy to get a text message from a friend saying they are headed to the hospital in the middle of the night. A little while back I got such a message, but it was marvelous news, not bad news.

Last spring my friends Keaton and Amy sat in my living room, and we prayed for little Archie. He hadn't yet been named back then, but he was already mightily loved by his parents. For months they waited, and prepared, and waited. Archie's due date was December 31st. I thought it would be cool if he came at 12:01 on January 1st, and was one of the first babys born in 2013. His parents were less excited about that idea. They were ready for him to arrive.

They stayed in town for Christmas. Amy was too far along to travel. I spent Christmas morning with them, but the baby made no appearances, aside from some lively kicking. He didn't come on the 31st either. He kept them waiting. I can only imagine that days seemed much longer with the weight of such anticipation. So when I got a text at 3:05 a.m. on January 5th that said, "Baby time! We're at the hospital. Just got here," I was pretty pumped. I was so excited I couldn't go to sleep, so I just stayed up and prayed for them for a while.

 

Eventually I made myself go to sleep because I wanted to be awake enough the next morning to get updates. The news came quickly. It was a boy. And his name is Archie.

Newborn Photos Charleston SC © 2013 Audra L. Gibson. All Rights Reserved.
Keaton and his son.

It's always exciting to meet a friend or family member's new edition, but for me the excitement was doubled because Keaton and Amy had arranged for me to take Archie's newborn pictures. So, on his second day in this world, I went to the hospital, visited with my friends, and held Archie for the first time. Then I shot some of his first pictures (of course his grandmothers had beaten me to taking the very first photographs, but I had the privilege of doing the first professional ones). When he was six days old, I headed to their home and did a full newborn session. He was a little champ. And he got bonus points because he didn't pee on me (a known hazard of newborn photography at times).

 

It's such a privilege to document a little one's first days, especially when I know I'll get the added privilege of watching that little one grow up. So, here's to 3am text messages, and all the joy they bring.

Audra Gibson

Audra Gibson is a Christian, photographer, surfer, and a lover of teriyaki steak bites. She enjoys live music, doesn't like to be cold, and she's a bit of a cheese snob. Traveling Ink was her little brain child and she's very happy that you're here. She'd be oh so happy to recommend her favorite tours and attractions in town, help you with a team building event, or organize a day (or week) of fun for you and your group.

Website: www.audragibson.com

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