welcome sweet baby corbin {A Birth Story}

"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb." 

Psalm 139:13

I think that I maybe the only person who was excited that this little guy decided to stay a little past his due date. I had literally just arrived at my parent's house in North Carolina after 4 days of traveling from Michigan to North Carolina by way of Canada, New York, and Maryland when my sister called to say she was in labor and heading to the hospital. After a little bit of debate I was nominated family rep and quickly tossed my kids in the bed and headed out the door. When I arrived Gabi had just received her epidural and was starting to feel some relief. I was immediately amazed at how calm she seemed amidst the chaos that was swirling around her. Within just a few minutes she was ready to push and that is when things really got crazy. Corbin's heart rate started deceling every time Gabi would push and the doctors were very worried. As they started to prep her for an emergency c-section, she bravely looked at me and said, "it's okay. i'm okay. i'm not scared." As tears welled in my eyes I held her hand and prayed knowing that God was in control but scared out of my mind for my amazingly brave sister and sweet little nephew. 

Thanks to a cool-headed anesthesiologist who hung around in the room just to make sure that the epidural took the room was quickly calmed down and the OB allowed Gabi to try pushing again. Corbin was still not tolerating pushing very well but had moved down and with a few more pushes and a little help from the vacuum he arrived within just a few minutes with the cord wrapped so tightly the OB had to cut it before pulling him all the way out. He was quickly whisked away to the awaiting NICU team and we all held our breath waiting to hear that first cry. Within just a few seconds we heard that beautiful cry and new immediately that Corbin was going to be just fine. 

I am so thankful that my sister allowed me to be there with her. I was blessed to capture these images for them and I pray that they will treasure them for years to come.