{"id":2315,"date":"2016-02-26T21:05:34","date_gmt":"2016-02-26T21:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sarahestudios.goodgallery.com\/blog\/?p=2315"},"modified":"2016-07-05T19:39:33","modified_gmt":"2016-07-06T00:39:33","slug":"sammy-mercy-hospital-st-louis-birth-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sarahestudios.com\/blog\/sammy-mercy-hospital-st-louis-birth-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby Sammy’s Surrogate Birth Story – Mercy Hospital \u2022 St. Louis, MO Birth Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is difficult to put into words how absolutely magical this story is. \u00a0I was honored to photograph the birth of Samantha Sterling Simmons on February 8, 2016 for Sammy’s Mommy, Amy, and Daddy, Phil. \u00a0This story is a bit unique, as baby Sammy’s\u00a0Aunt Samantha (for whom Sammy is named after) was a surrogate, and carried her for nine months. \u00a0The moments that unfold in this story are beyond beautiful and are an amazing example of unconditional love.<\/p>\n

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Upon meeting Amy & Phil in the 7th floor waiting room on a Monday afternoon in February at Mercy hospital, I knew this family was special. \u00a0The room was full of everyone who already loved baby Sammy, all excited to meet her. \u00a0Within moments, we\u00a0were waiting in the hallway with Amy and Phil, about to head into Samantha’s labor and delivery room.<\/p>\n

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Almost exactly\u00a0one hour\u00a0later, to the minute (I checked the time-stamp on the frames!), Samantha was born, and Amy and Phil held their baby girl for the first time. I had warm tears running down my right cheek as I was making these pictures. \u00a0I’ll never forget the\u00a0shared glances with the nurses and doctors. \u00a0We all knew just how special this was.<\/p>\n

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There were so many great moments… never have I had the opportunity to have Mom hover over and hold her baby’s hands while she was\u00a0being checked out and cleaned up on the warmer. \u00a0Priceless emotion.<\/p>\n

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Time seemed to stand still the moment Phil and Amy put their baby girl Sammy\u00a0into the arms of her Aunt. \u00a0Smiles, laughter, and tears of joy filled the room as family visited. \u00a0Finally, Samantha had her first “bath”. \u00a0One of my favorite parts. \u00a0I loved hearing her newborn cries and seeing Mommy and Daddy in awe over how each little part on her body was perfect.<\/p>\n

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Thank you, Amy & Phil, for trusting me to capture that moment that you held Sammy in your arms for the first time. \u00a0Thank you, Samantha, for carrying this sweet baby girl as a surrogate for nine months, and for being brave enough to share these images as part of Sammy’s birth story. \u00a0I will forever feel connected to all of you and your families, and can’t wait to see your families grow.<\/p>\n

For now, enjoy the story. \u00a0It is heartwarming and really does remind me that we have angels here on Earth.<\/p>\n