Hey, I'm Josh. I'm an Oklahoma based photographer specializing in relaxed, real life wedding and portrait photography. I love my job because its the perfect mix of art and relationships. This site is like a journal where I  post all of my recent work and life happenings so check back often to see what I've been up to. Have a great day!

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the things I've learned in a week...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Well here it is, exactly one week since our son Gavin was born. It's been a crazy week full of hugs, tears, prayers, laughs and memories I'll carry with me forever. My friend Jason sent me an email the day we went into the hopsital, just to give me some advice from his experience as a new dad. He told me that the first thing he did after his daughter was born was to journal about his thoughts and feelings to his daughter. He said he wanted his daughter to someday know a little about the person he was on her birthday. I thought that was a great idea, so I decided to journal all the things that I've learned throughout the first week of fatherhood. I hope someday Gavin will be able read this and know how much we love him. So here's what I've learned so far...

Family matters most, always.

Cherish your friends.

Doctors know what they are doing.

During labor I discovered a whole new level of nervousness and stress that I'd never experienced before, and never wish to again. (see previous lesson)

Life should be celebrated.

I've discovered a completely different side of myself, one that cares nothing about my own needs. Who knew!

No matter how many times I fail, I still try to assemble baby products without reading the instructions.

The human body is truly amazing.

I have an uncanny talent for making up rhyming baby nicknames.

Sleep isn't that important.

Love is bigger than I thought it was.

if I learned all that in one week I can't imagine what life as a father has in store for me.

Our cherished friends Carl and Cara were at the hospital to document everything and they arrived just in time to capture the family excitement outside our hospital room. All the while I was inside documenting Gavin's birth. I think he already qualifies as the world's most photographed baby. Here are just a few moments from the past week of our lives.
Thanks to Carl for capturing life in such a real way, you have to check out the slideshow at the end, it's amazing!
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passing the time...
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the uber smart Doctor Katie!
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Katie's Mom & Dad
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Me and Pop
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Nannie, Pops and Uncle Leb...
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some quick portraits in our hospital room...
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just a few of his biggest fans...
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a few from his first day at home...
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Carl caught the instant he did his first #2 at home, as you can tell by his face!
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Gavin's lovely great grandmas...

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just a few more from our first week at home...

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twins?
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Grab a kleenex and watch the slideshow!


By the way, I know you are all wondering who won the contest!
The lucky winner was Gene Harlin, one of our most awesome clients ever. We shot Gene and Katie's wedding last summer and have been fans of them ever since. So, it looks like they have some sweet photo schwag coming their way! Thanks to everyone for chiming in on the contest, I always knew you were out there!






23 comments:

Carl Zoch said...

Gavin's first #2 for the win! I love that kid.

We love you guys!

live compassionately said...

Josh he is such a beautiful baby! I'm so happy for you guys. :)

Whitney said...

Gavin is one blessed baby :)

leanna said...

this whole entry made me cry. especially the 'love is bigger than i though it was.' since zebediah's been born, i've spent countless hours stumbling over my words in feeble attempts to express how much love you have for your own child.

and very yes to journalling the memories. i have a blog that i write letters to my son on. it's not as nice as all your pictures :], but i hope he's not too embarassed by it when he grows up.

Anonymous said...

He is perfect. I love him!

Unknown said...

JOSH! I'm seriously crying right now, and I don't even know you. This whole entry was so beautiful. There are so many emotions in these pictures- and I am so NOT a baby person but this really warmed my heart. I am so happy for you and Katie and the family you have created with little Gavin. Thank you for sharing with all of us and may God bless your new family. :)

jenn said...

You guys are so cute!! What an awesome family!

The Wanderer said...

That is one good lookin' kid. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

big congrats to you guys! gavin is adorable and i loved the pictures. the three great-grandma's pic is awesome! PERFECT actually! Thanks for sharing this and I am sure there will be more to come of this new cutie pie!

~abi~ said...

i am in love with this entire post! gavin is incredibly ADORABLE!!!!! congrats!

Caitlin Ulrich said...

He is so so precious! That last picture is my favorite. Absolutely adorable. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Gavin is awesome! Love the one with him pointing his finger up in the air. The little guy is one blessed boy, he has no idea how great a family he's been brought into!

That monkey almost looks like Ken Rockwell's noise monkey!

lindsey said...

Love it, love it! He is beautiful!

Katie, you did a terrific job! You guys soak up those precious little baby firsts!

Can't wait to meet him.

Jenn said...

okay yeah, so what? i was tearing up before i even got to the slideshow. and now having watched the slideshow, i have red eyes and a runny nose.

okay but seriously, i am so happy for you both. Gavin is so precious and perfect. i hope i run into you guys soon. i need to see this baby in real life. ha.
CONGRATS!

lindsay said...

What a beautiful family... congrats again.

joyful02 said...

I love the new pictures & the slideshow is awesome...Gavin is so cute...Congratulations!

Whitney said...

my co-workers, yep i showed them,and I all agree, #2 should be his baby annoucement :)

Anonymous said...

Josh, I loved your journal thoughts. Thanks for sharing. The pictures were GREAT! I have a HUGE crush on the doctor in those photos! Gavin, I can't wait to meet you.
Jason.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Josh! We are so happy for you guys! Gavin is so cute!!

ashley o. said...

what an amazing documentation of such a blessed event! gavin is precious, and i wish you guys the best!

Amanda Fortney said...

i am so excited for you and your beautiful new family! i love the pictures and i love your journal notes. you can't even imagine how much you're going to love your child until they're born, and it just seems to increase as they get older.

Cameron Ingalls said...

Beautiful work!!! Photos and baby! How exciting... Thanks for supporting Jackson's Smile! Much love to you and God bless!

Bita said...

Hey! You just added me to your friend list on fb. OMG - love your work.... but man! What a cute little baby boy!!!! Congrats to you and your family! I wish you nothing but THE best. Maybe we'll get to meet each other in person some day. :D

I wish you all the joy and happiness in the world for this new chapter in your life!

xox