Russellville Arkansas Birth Photography

Brittany initially contacted me about photographing her birth earlier in her pregnancy. Since I am only able to take a certain amount of births per month, I had to tell her I couldn't take another for her birth month! I was devastated to say no! Months went by and 4 births came and went in September for me. Brittany happened to contact me again and I was able to take another birth! We were all so excited and I couldn't wait to meet little Ryker! I spent that morning at the hospital with the birth of sweet Anderson. After finishing up some work at the office, Brittany's husband called-- Ryker was on his way! So this was my second time to have two births in one day. 

I loved little Ryker's name and asked Brittany to share a little about how they came up with it.

"Jason and I both wanted a girl, badly. So it was a shock when we found out it was a boy.  Poor guy didn’t have a name until a few weeks before he was born! I had a list, which included Ryker and well Jett because I loved the name, Easton loves planes, and we love to travel, so it seemed fitting.  But before Jason could decide, he had to run Ryker’s name through his “list” Dr. Ryker Cunningham, Attorney Ryker Cunningham..."

Jason and Brittany are seriously the funniest people alive. I laughed so hard at this birth that my stomach hurt when I got home. There are so many funny little stories I could tell, but I truly feel like Brittany may be a writer at heart and tells everything best in her own words.......

"So Jason and I were married in November of 2013 (11-12-13) to be exact and we agreed to start trying for a baby Jan 1. …give or take a few days. ;) We really thought that come September instead of having a baby we would still be trying for one. It’s not easy to get pregnant when your husband travels for work, A LOT. So to just be prepared we took all kinds of over the counter tests and counters. The first time I ever used the ovulation test which was late January, it gave me the big bright smiley face. Which cracks me up because a.) We’re reproducing here. B.) we’re adults, and this company can’t find any other symbol other than smiley faces?! Little did I know that the reason I got that “big bright smiley face” was because I was already pregnant, and didn’t know it.   Fast Forward to Feb. 2. Jason had flown in on the late flight the previous night and was tired to begin with. I unfortunately had to work that morning so I get up usually around 5am. I had already planned to take a test that morning so when my alarm went off I came BOUNDING up out of the bed. I didn’t tell Jason I was going to test, because technically I was still a few days early. Totally planning on it being negative, I just attempted to wipe the crust from my eyes and actually wake up, trying not to concentrate on the lines, but who does that anyway! So there I was, 5am in my bathroom, half-conscious and surprised I even hit the stick anyway when that little pink plus came up. As cliche as is it, I did what I really believe we all do because this main and life changing event always takes place in a bathroom of all places, I glanced at myself in the mirror at the glee on my face and immediately grab your stomach. … and then there’s my sleeping world traveler… the love of my life...the if you turn the lights on before warning him grumpy bear. Yeah, I threw that out the window, when your wife is yelling “Jason, Jason, JASON!!!” while flipping on the lights and being mid-air about to land on you all in the same move…(picture it, I know you did. It’s possible, don’t hate), the house better be burning down! While shaking him, rather violently, screaming I’m pregnant!!! He is still trying to process if he’s dreaming or if I’ve lost my mind, because the lights are on and he got no warning. After processing it and confirming it was, in fact, not a nightmare.  Jason started his day at 5 that morning instead of sleeping in, but I’m pretty sure after the initial shock he took a nap that afternoon.  I, had to go on into work…which was torture in itself! Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret among ER nurses who spend 12 hour days, day in and day out with each other? You become like sisters, and know even the most TMI stories about each other! I think keeping it from them was harder than keeping it from our parents."

"We told our parents before telling Easton. We told Easton the night before our first Drs. Appointment. And when Jason told him that he had to take me to the doctor he immediately said, because she’s pregnant? (Poor thing has heard me go on and on about a baby forever!) Expecting a, “no, I’m not pregnant.” When we told him yes, he couldn’t figure out and actually said “well you’re not fat yet” ohhh the minds of ever so brutally honest children. When asked what he wanted, he of course, wanted a brother. Why? None other than the fact that meant there would be NO princess birthday cakes!" 

 

"I think Jason’s biggest fear was my water breaking in his car or in our bed.  We were certain when we went in for our 40 week appointment that I would be dilated even more and Dr. Escue would tell us to go on over…. So much so that we had even packed the car and were 100% ready. Yeah, WRONG AGAIN. L&d  was already full with inductions that morning  so we settled for Friday, you know, 3 days A MILLION days away. So we put our eagerness aside knowing we would meet him Friday. Sure enough, 10:00 that night I had just laid down in bed at Jason’s request, because I had been sleeping in the recliner the past few nights actually got comfortable enough and fell asleep while he was in the shower.  Jason no more laid down until I felt IT. And thought surely I didn’t just pee on myself a little…then I felt another “it” and before I could make sense of it the gush happened.  Thankful for my husband and his cat-like reflexes that I had no idea he had… we only got a tiny bit on a sheet not even on the mattress. After the shock I decided to jump in the shower again, because thankfully contractions hadn’t started yet. Got out, and then the realization hit that I had nothing to wear to catch any leakage…(I had until Friday to get that stuff right?!) as any girl wouldn’t want it was looking like a washrag was going to have to be it, ICK! NOPE. My genius husband comes back with a NEWBORN DIAPER. I paused, shrugged my shoulders and thought good idea! (But would never admit it), and it worked!   Meanwhile it was a scene from Home Alone when they realize they missed their plane. Jason was literally running like a chicken with his head cut off… before I could finish drying my hair I had a contraction, in my back none other.  So I thought I better not push it any further it was going to be a long night anyway. We loaded up Easton who was asleep, bless him, and took him to my moms and off to the hospital we went. Where our PHOTOGRAPHER beat us there by 20 minutes!"

It wasn't too much longer and it was time for Brittany to start pushing. Everyone was super anxious to see sweet Ryker's little face!

 Jason face-timed Brittany from the Nursery so she could get a better look at Ryker!

 I joined the Cunningham's at their home for some Newborn images of this sweet little guy!

Brittany and Jason-- I am so thankful things worked out how they did and I was able to be with you guys for the birth of sweet Ryker! He is absolutely perfect, and I am honored you choose me to be a part of your big day!