Scout | A New Life

I've been sitting here with blank space to type for way too long, but I can't even begin to put into words how incredible this experience was. I met Katrina when she was pregnant, so I've never known Katrina and her baby separate from each other. When Katrina asked if I would be interested in photographing in the delivery room, I almost called her crazy. I had NEVER heard of it. She sent me a link to a video and halfway through the slideshow, I was crying. It was tastefully done and an experience one would never want to forget. Kat checked with Matt (husband) and they were on board to officially ask me. It was an immediate yes from my end. I prayed (seriously) that I would not get nauseous or faint during the delivery.

My mom (a nurse, i might add) used to watch ER religiously back in the day when ER was a show about hospital drama and not who-slept-with-who drama. Ya know, George Clooney days. I would sit next to her and literally gag at scenes involving blood or any kind of pain. Bleh. When I came to my mom completely excited at this opportunity to shoot this event, my mom got bug-eyed. She pointed directly in my face sternly and her words exactly: "BETSY LACKEY! IF YOU FAINT AND MAKE THEM PAY ATTENTION TO YOU..." (Moms always leave threats open-ended for dramatic effect.. just so you can IMAGINE the last half of the sentence. That is the torcher.)

So... I prayed harder. ;)

I was always on call, just waiting for a phonecall from Matt & Katrina, telling me it was "time". I changed my ringtone from Ryan Adams to "Alarm", FULL BLAST on the iPhone (many of you iPhone owners are cringing at the thought of that sound right now).

"Babies come when they want to Betsy." (Mom's words again) They sure do, and on October 12, 2010, Katrina called me. My heart started pounding 90mph as soon as I heard her voice. I hung up, shaking. I was so excited for a friend and even more excited to experience it with her (kind of.. lol). I cried all the way to the hospital. I'm a complete sap, I know, but I didn't know what else to do with the ALL the different emotions inside me. It was just a physical way of expressing myself because I couldn't portray it any other way. (You can make fun of me.. go ahead.)

The process flew by. He answers prayers. I didn't even get queasy once. :)

After a few hours at the hospital, new life laid on a scale. 7 pounds. 9 ounces. She was so small.. every feature crafted by her Creator, every finger and toe designed and constructed with care. I stopped photographing for about 30 seconds and just stared in awe. She was an absolute miracle. She was life, and LIFE is an absolute miracle.

Watch a miracle: (Loading is worth the wait. ;) Promise.)

Song: First Breath After Coma by Explosions in the Sky

Matt, Katrina, and Rowyn: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I got teary-eyed just typing this, remembering how wonderful that day was. What an honor to capture this for you. I love all three of you so much. God has blessed you with such a beautiful girl. Woo! TEAM BALLENTINE!! ..oh.. & Katrina? She's not going to college in a month.. I promise. ;)