columbus ohio birth – Sarah Shambaugh Photo

Happy First Birthday Eliana!

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 05:37:56 +0000

It’s honestly kind of hard to find the words for this post. First I will say, I can’t believe its been a year. It’s been a whole entire year since this sweetie began making waves. She was born to change the world, and she did just that. I never blogged the time I got to spend with Eliana. What a better time to honor her than on her first birthday. I met Naomi, Eliana’s momma the day before her scheduled c-section. We had been in contact for months before that when Naomi was planning a home birth. Shortly after Eliana’s parents found out her diagnoses of Trisomy 18, I said no matter what, I would still be at her birth. I walked into the hospital on December 4th for our meeting to talk about all the different scenarios of how Eliana’s birth could go, nervous as ever. I had no idea what to expect, but like I told myself for weeks, it’s not about me. It’s about them. It’s about her. The following day, December 5th. Eliana would be born. Would she be alive? How long will she live if so? Minutes? Days? Weeks? I (we) had no idea. How would she look? I will admit, I have never ever been as nervous as I was on this day. This day forever changed me. Here is a little tribute to honor my favorite and most inspiring baby I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’ll keep it short, because I could go on and on… but Thank you Eliana for leaving your heart with me <3

Eliana’s memorial video that was played during her memorial service:

This slideshow is one that Matthew Eliana’s Daddy asked me to make for Naomi as a surprise.

eliana (matthew slideshow) from Sarah Shambaugh on Vimeo.

Baby Lennon | Birth day

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:25:47 +0000

I met Miss Hayley Stell, the beautifully talented photographer based in Tennessee through Facebook. We chatted randomly here and there, she always said that when she gets pregnant she is hiring me. No. Way. Seriously? THE Hayley Stell is saying this to ME!? It made me so happy. So months later I received a message from her with ultrasound photos. My heart flipped! ” Please tell me this is YOU.”

Then she sends me this…

I was beyond happy for her. They SO deserved this. I prayed and hoped for a beautifully healthy pregnancy for her, and then I prayed I would make it down to Tennessee for her birth. I was SO nervous. I didn’t want to miss this. I wanted so bad to be there for her. She planned an all natural birth and to labor at home for as long as possible. Did I mention how nervous I was that I would miss this? Ah. Nerve wracking!

The last week in July came around… I was leaving for vacation August 1st so we both began to panic lol. A few days later, Hayley text me and says she thinks its the beginning signs of labor. After a few hours and timing contractions, she was pretty confident this was it. I left Columbus Ohio and headed to her. its a 6 hour drive so I was hoping we timed this right. Hayley lives almost an hour away from the hospital so we met each other there when she decided it was time to head there. Talk about perfect timing…

She labored beautifully. In fact, it was the most gorgeous labor I have ever seen. Honestly. I left this birth feeling so full

Doula Heidi – Expecting New Life Birth Services

Hayley Stell Photography

I can’t thank you enough Hayley and Matt for trusting me with Lennons Birth Day. I am so proud of both of you, congrats on your gorgeous family.