Birth is the sudden opening of a window through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.

~William MacNeile Dixon

There is nothing quite like the feeling of peace and love that surrounds a newborn. Yes, you are so exhausted- physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yes, you feel like you don’t know what you are doing and you wonder how the hospital could send you home without a manual for life. Yes, your life seems 1000 times more chaotic and busy. Yes, you will feel so accomplished at the end of the day if you have just gotten in a shower for the week or avoided getting pooped on. Yes, you are incredibly sleep deprived—something people tried to warn you about, but you wouldn’t really get it until you experienced it yourself. Yes, you are just in survival mode and hope that what you are doing is the right thing. Yes, you have so many hopes and fears and wishes and dreams for this little baby that has now taken hold of your heart that you would do absolutely anything for. But, above all the chaos, there is so much joy. You can do this, and you are capable and made for this. You don’t have to enjoy all the moments, and that is okay. It will all feel like a blur when you look back, so it is my job to freeze time and show you that there was beauty in it all. It is a gift as a photographer to document that and to show you that you are stronger than you realize.