I Heart Faces (Motherhood)

Motherhood is hard work right from the beginning. Women keep their bodies in the best health as possible while pregnant to keep their baby as safe as possible while growing and developing. 9 months of giving up food that gives you heartburn, caffeine, and anything else your baby decides is not acceptable. This all while beating up your insides (which is quite fantastic in the beginning, before they get too strong). Then comes labor. Ohhhh labor. Not really a fun time at all. It is painful and long with some embarrassing moments thrown in. But...in the end, it is all worth it. When your baby is handed to you for the first time, all of that "work" flies right out the window. All that matters now is that precious life you hold in your arms. Watching them grow and change into little beings is by far the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Being a mom will always be hard at times, but there is so much reward in it, the struggles make the joys that much more awesome!

This is my entry for this weeks I Heart Faces. I had the privilege of photographing my good friends birth. This was one of the greatest things I have ever witnessed. Going through labor and experiencing a birth are two totally different things. Because of this day, I have so much more respect for this friend. She is a CHAMP! So strong, so empowering, so MOM! This was one of the most intense times of the days. Resting in between the final pushes and I have never seen her look more beautiful.