Cedar Falls Newborn Photography | Caroline’s Birth Story and Quarantine Session

Cedar Falls Photography Studio

The year 2020 has stolen many things from families, but I was determined that our newborn photography session would not be one of those things. I’d love to share with you a little about our journey being pregnant and giving birth during the 2020 pandemic…and a little “oops” moment from my husband just minutes before our self-portrait session.

newborn baby girl lying on white settee wrapped and with white floral headband

In early February of 2020, I remember preparing to fly to North Carolina to visit my parents. I was looking forward to seeing them and had also planned a portrait photography session for a client while I was there.

Family of 5 in Cedar Falls Photography Studio on semi circle bench dressed in white with newborn

Before leaving, I contacted Dr. Hintz at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA to ask him if it was safe to fly. I had heard about this coronavirus on the news and was concerned about flying. He reassured me that my chances of getting the coronavirus were less than our airplane getting struck by lightning. Looking back, I’m sure he’d take those words back but we had no idea what was about to break out.

Big sisters holding newborn baby girl in Cedar Falls Photography Studio on White settee with white bows

 

Then March happened. The country quickly shut down. Our girls learned ballet on zoom. We didn’t see family. We didn’t see friends. We didn’t go to church.

Mother sitting on the floor holding newborn baby girl and wearing beautiful lulu's dress

I’ll never forget sitting in the Fareway parking lot and thinking to myself, “Is this safe? Is this a good idea for me with asthma and for our unborn baby?” Never in my whole life would I have ever considered being afraid of walking into a grocery store, but here we are in 2020.

I remember being terrified going to OB appointments too, wearing my N95 mask because my wonderful hubby had some leftover from home projects. I have never been so thankful for an N95 because that was during a time where there was a shortage.

Mother sitting on the floor with newborn and two big sisters staring at baby

May finally came and Caroline was born a week early. I was so grateful not to wear a mask while laboring and cannot imagine what that must be like for other moms. We had the most wonderful nurses (thanks Bailey and Caylee!) and our midwife, Marcia Corson, was phenomenal.

My husband and I had decided that we would not allow family to come see the baby which meant that he and I were swamped with a 4 year old, a two year old, and a newborn ALL. BY. OURSELVES. Talk about overwhelming.

 

detail shot of newborn baby toes in cedar falls photography studio by meghan goering photography

Going from 2 children to 3 during a pandemic was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Not having any help and not being able to send the children to neighbor’s for a play date – was grueling. But God knew that, and He gave us a baby with the most wonderful demeanor possible. Caroline was and is still such a pleasant and happy baby.

Newborn Baby girl lying on white blanket with white floral headband and hand against face by meghan goering photography

Now that you know our back story, what does this have to do with photos? Well, clearly we didn’t hire a photographer but I didn’t want these moments with Caroline to pass without documenting them. I didn’t want her to look back and think, “Why does mommy have photos of sissies but not me?” I wanted these photos to represent beauty and joy during a time where there was a lot of hardship.

Somehow we got the two big girls ready. I somehow managed to style my hair and apply makeup. I wore one of my favorite dresses from Lulu’s from my client wardrobe.

Father holding newborn baby girl by meghan goering photography

And then it happened.

Joe came out to the living room while I was nursing with shaving clippers in his hand and told me he goofed. GOOFED??? It turns out he was trimming around his ears and accidentally turned the dial all the way down – shaving off a chunk of hair. See?

side of husband's head showing accidental shaving of head before photography session

If taking self portraits couldn’t get any more interesting during a pandemic, add this. But, we managed. That’s why you’ll notice that Joe’s head is turned to the left in all of our photos.

Dad kissing newborn baby girl's head by meghan goering photography

And even though my parents and Joe’s parents didn’t meet Caroline until she was 2 months old, I used that opportunity to take portraits in the studio. I wanted to document that monumental moment too – not because Caroline knew how important it was, but because of the meaning to our parents. Their hearts had waited for two whole months and it culminated in the precious gift of holding their granddaughter for the first time. And for our daughters, they had been waiting 5 months to see their grandparents. You can almost see their hearts breathing a sigh of relief as they hug and embrace for the first time.

grandmother with granddaugthers sitting on a semi circle bench by meghan goering photography

Generational photo with grandmother, daughter, and granddaughters by meghan goering photography

All in all, I love these photos and the newborn album I designed and printed for Caroline. I love what they mean. I love the story they tell. And I look forward to telling Caroline and her sisters the story of their life during the great pandemic over and over again.

To learn more about booking your photography session, please contact me here. To take a look at the album I created for Caroline and to learn about that process, visit here.

grandmother smiling down at her granddaughters in the studio grandparents holding newborn granddaughter grandmother smiling down at newborn granddaughter grandpa holding newborn granddaugther and smiling by meghan goering photography grandmother with granddaugthers in cedar falls photography studio by meghan goering photography grandma and grandpa hold newborn granddaugther for first time by meghan goering photography grandpa with glasses holding cute granddaughter with chubby cheeks by meghan goering photography

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