Okay, so she's 8 months old now... but it was so great to be there for her first day in the world! On the same trip I took to Michigan to go to the temple Malia Lou Dial was born Thursday, September 9
th 2010. Adrienne had been waiting anxiously for 2 weeks to get done with her pregnancy, even exercising uncomfortably to promote the birthing process, but Malia would come when she was ready. So on
Wednesday night Adrienne, Bryce, Mom and I went to a Tigers game ('Papa' was kind enough to stay home with Ollie)...
It was so Fun! We ate elephant ears and nachos.
At the conclusion to the game there was a fantastic firework show comparable to what seemed like 10 minutes of continuous 4
th of July grand finale excitement! During this time I leaned over and asked Adrienne if the baby was as excited about the fireworks as we were... she said her belly was calm. I suggested that the fireworks
should be her wake-up call to come into the world, though it wasn't promising. We left the game and sat in traffic on the freeway for quite sometime, during which Adrienne said, "I don't want to get
any one's hopes up, especially mine, but I am feeling pressure... though I've felt this way before without results, so don't worry." We came home and Bryce and Adrienne picked up Ollie and went to their home.
A few hours and a short nap later Mom woke me up with exciting news... Adrienne and Bryce were on their way over to drop off Ollie and pick me and her up to go to the hospital. I was a little nervous myself, never having been a part of this exciting process in person. We were timing contractions and making sure we had all our stuff ready. I never realized how intense the situation is... I always figured movies were exaggerating, but there is some truth to their portrayal of birth. I didn't know that contractions were a paralyzing kind of pain... Walking from the house to the car Adrienne had to pause and steady herself waiting for a contraction to pass. We drove over to the hospital where Adrienne got checked in and strapped into some monitors- she thought she would wait as long as possible before getting an epidural so as not to prolong the birthing process. She hunkered down and endured her contractions.
Just as Adrienne requested her epidural her contractions and dilation were where they needed to be and it was too late for drugs. Labor is hard work (from what I can tell). I was in awe the whole time, but I tell you what- birth is quite gross... its kind of confusing because it is so magical waiting to meet this new person and beautiful and incredible what the body is capable of, but very gross and don't get me started on the afterbirth (so I wont go into details). Then the outcome is even more beautiful then the rest of the process:
So much joy and love. This picture just kills me (in a very good way) the way it captures all the love in the world a person can have for another.
Then, finally big sister Ollie got to meet her new family member.
Lets Hear it for The Girls!
I think Ollie will be a great big sister! Reflecting back on the event now and looking at these pictures pulls on my heartstrings for the love and joy shared between sisters. I know Ollie and Lulu will be best friends (even through the trials of growing up) because my sister is my best friend!
I feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about her- she is such an example to me and so supportive in my times of need. Of course we have had difficult times but we grew up ;)
Best Friends Forever:
So thanks to her for sharing yet another magnificent part of her life with me! Thanks for being the mother of my beautiful nieces. I'm so glad I have this time to be a small part of her wonderful family full of wonderful people.
I love that I get experience by photographing some of the most beautiful people... no I am not biased ;) 
There are of course challenges: 
Yet somehow magical moments happen: 
Even when not everyone is smiling: 
But especially when they are laughing:
Playing: 
Or loving:
Even walking:
Jumping:
Or yelling:
Hugging:
Or sleeping:
And Ive never seen someone so cute when they're eating:
And I got some donuts and cider too at one of my favorite places:
Hence: we celebrated her birthday in the hospital. 
I didn't have a present for her, so I whipped this beauty up:
I know, you're so jealous you didn't get a slice- as you should be! I had seen pictures of similar cakes and wanted a slice so I decided this was the perfect time to try it out. I used a lot of high grade food dye and six trips to the oven later assembled the rainbow with layers of better creme- yummy yum! I love the sprinkles too- they added a fantastic crunch to each bite.
Okay, so she's 8 months old now... but it was so great to be there for her first day in the world! On the same trip I took to Michigan to go to the temple Malia Lou Dial was born Thursday, September 9th 2010. Adrienne had been waiting anxiously for 2 weeks to get done with her pregnancy, even exercising uncomfortably to promote the birthing process, but Malia would come when she was ready. So on Wednesday night Adrienne, Bryce, Mom and I went to a Tigers game ('Papa' was kind enough to stay home with Ollie)... 
It was so Fun! We ate elephant ears and nachos.
At the conclusion to the game there was a fantastic firework show comparable to what seemed like 10 minutes of continuous 4th of July grand finale excitement! During this time I leaned over and asked Adrienne if the baby was as excited about the fireworks as we were... she said her belly was calm. I suggested that the fireworks should be her wake-up call to come into the world, though it wasn't promising. We left the game and sat in traffic on the freeway for quite sometime, during which Adrienne said, "I don't want to get any one's hopes up, especially mine, but I am feeling pressure... though I've felt this way before without results, so don't worry." We came home and Bryce and Adrienne picked up Ollie and went to their home.
Just as Adrienne requested her epidural her contractions and dilation were where they needed to be and it was too late for drugs. Labor is hard work (from what I can tell). I was in awe the whole time, but I tell you what- birth is quite gross... its kind of confusing because it is so magical waiting to meet this new person and beautiful and incredible what the body is capable of, but very gross and don't get me started on the afterbirth (so I wont go into details). Then the outcome is even more beautiful then the rest of the process:
So much joy and love. This picture just kills me (in a very good way) the way it captures all the love in the world a person can have for another.
Then, finally big sister Ollie got to meet her new family member.
Lets Hear it for The Girls!
I think Ollie will be a great big sister! Reflecting back on the event now and looking at these pictures pulls on my heartstrings for the love and joy shared between sisters. I know Ollie and Lulu will be best friends (even through the trials of growing up) because my sister is my best friend!
I feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about her- she is such an example to me and so supportive in my times of need. Of course we have had difficult times but we grew up ;)
So thanks to her for sharing yet another magnificent part of her life with me! Thanks for being the mother of my beautiful nieces. I'm so glad I have this time to be a small part of her wonderful family full of wonderful people.
