Jack Orville Patterson

Part of why Bryndle and I love photography is that it gives us the opportunity to capture moments.  It seems simple, and yet.....it's really not.  Moments are monumental.  They are the very definition of life.  Truly.  Our entire lifetime can be cataloged in a series of moments, strung together to create a beautiful tapestry of memories.

It's incredible.  And it's an honor to be there, snapping away. 

When we met Havilah and Brett a month ago to take their maternity pictures, we were delighted by Havilah’s easy laugh and Brett’s kind, gentle nature.  These two were crazy about each other, so obviously in love.  They were completely natural in front of the camera and we spent a full hour laughing and sharing their joy over the soon-to-be addition of their baby boy, Jack. 

Havilah and Brett are obviously an absolutely stunning couple, but the most beautiful thing about them has nothing to do with that—it's an inner beauty that radiates from deep within.  They are generous and kind, keenly aware of the blessing God has graciously bestowed on their lives with the sweet promise of new life.  Bryndle and I walked away excited and overjoyed for this sweet young couple who would soon add a powerful, life-changing new title to their name: mom and dad.  They were born for this role.  

Havilah and Brett gave us the great honor of also asking us to capture the birth of their sweet baby boy, and all of our excitement grew as we anticipated celebrating Jack Orville's birthday.  Havilah was due on July 8, and after a few false alarms and over a week of steady contractions, we met Brett and Havilah bright and early on Sunday, July 13 for a scheduled induction. 

The morning was bright and beautiful.  There was a threat of thunder and lightning in the forecast, but as I pulled up to the hospital parking garage and jogged across the parking lot to the birthing center, I was met with a streak of bright sunshine making its way through the clouds and landing just steps away from the double doors leading into the building.  Perfect.  Such a fitting start to the monumental day this would be for the Patterson family .  

When I got to the room, Havilah was stunning.  She had been actively contracting for a week, and I walked in to find her with a bright smile on her face.  She was radiant in every sense of the word.

 The morning started early, and Havilah had no break.  She was contracting every minute.  Throughout the entire day, Brett never left Havilah's side. They were in step, literally, through every moment.  Bryndle and I were both moved by the gentle way Brett would rub Havilah's back, pull her close through each contraction and whisper reassurances in her ear.   These were moments of such raw emotion, and yet Brett and Havilah were so tender with one another.  

The joy in the room was palpable.  It was contagious.  Every nurse that was part of this day felt it.  Havilah and Brett were calm, collected, and literally bursting with the promise of the day.  It was their baby boy's birthday!  

 It was early evening before Havilah began to push.  She was truly phenomenal.  She'd push through a contraction, take a break and make a joke with the nursing staff before getting right back down to business.  She was just so relaxed, so ready, and so unafraid. 

 

I love looking at these photos because you can so clearly see the love in Brett's eyes.  In some of the pictures his face would almost match Havilah's, as if he was so present in the moment with her he was literally feeling what she was feeling.   In between pushes, Havilah would relax and they would look at each other with an unspoken understanding.  They were about to meet their baby boy....and their eyes said it all.  

 As Havilah entered into her third hour of pushing, it became pretty clear that Jack was only moments away from making his debut.  

In the final push, Brett caught his very first glimpse of his baby boy entering the world.  The emotion on his face was beautiful.  Brett was custom-built for the job of Jack's daddy, and seeing a man already so in love with his precious gift is truly an inspiring moment. 

 And with that final push....Jack Orville Patterson entered the world.  It was 9:51 PM.  

The joy of that moment quickly changed to panic, as Jack didn't start to cry.  Within moments of his birth, several nurses surrounded the bed rubbing his little body and working to get air moving through his brand-new lungs.  I found myself standing in the corner of the room, camera hanging loosely around my neck, mumbling rushed and frantic prayers for safety and protection as I moved out of the way for the medical personnel entering the room.  I remember one of the nurses picking up the phone and announcing a 'Code One' as the midwife uncerimoniously cut the umbilical cord and Jack was quickly moved to the warming station.  As more and more people flooded into the room, we were left in stunned silence.  

Havilah and Brett couldn't see what was happening to their baby boy, but what happened next was truly one of the most beautiful, God-authored and spiritual moments of my life.  

Neither of them cried.  Brett gripped Havilah's hand in his own, and bent down and wrapped his arms around his sweet bride.  Havilah reached out a hand towards the table where doctors were now surrounding her newborn baby boy, and she began to pray in the Spirit.  Her words were loud and clear, her voice strong and filled with the authority of the Father.   I was mesmerized.  It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and I felt the presence of God just fill that room.  Brett and Havilah were so united in that moment; so in tune to the needs of their sweet baby and so aware that the same God who had authored his life was the only One who had the authority to save it.  Their first act of parenthood was quite literally to give him back.  To fully yield their will to the will of the Father, trusting that He would intercede and protect the precious gift He had given them.  It was powerful.  That is a lesson I am still learning in my own walk as a mother, and Brett and Havilah entered into it so naturally.  So fluidly.  I absolutely believe that God placed them in that moment as a powerful witness to all those in the room.  Trust me when I say that no one left unchanged.

 It seemed like an eternity, but it was really only about five minutes that the doctors worked on Jack's airway.  When they had him breathing well on his own, they sat him up and Brett got his first real look at his brand new baby boy.
 

 Jack Orville Patterson.  Perfect.  The doctors told Havilah that the best way for Jack to recover would be to have skin to skin time with his mama.  I'm pretty sure that was pure music to her ears.  Almost ten minutes after his birth, Havilah got her first real look at sweet Jack, and got to snuggle the little boy she'd safeguarded for all those many months. 

Not long after, baby Jack got to meet his adorning fan club who had been anxiously awaiting his arrival all day in the waiting room. 

 Excited doesn't even begin to describe this clan and their reaction to their newest addition.  Jack is a little boy who is fully, irrevocably, and completely loved.

At the end of the day, we left Jack snuggled tightly in the arms of his mom and dad.  He had let out a good, loud, beautiful cry and let us all know he was more than okay, and Brett and Havilah were due for some well deserved bonding time with their miracle boy.  

This family.  There just aren't words to describe the beauty of this moment.

 
Welcome to the world, Jack Orville!  You sure did make an entrance, little one.  We pray that you will use every moment to bring glory to the One who intricately, lovingly, and purposefully knit you together in your mama's womb.  This moment in time is yours, sweet boy.  God has placed you in this moment for a purpose that is yours alone.  Find it.  Use it.  And bring Him glory!!

Brett and Havilah, wow.  This was the day that two incredible parents were born in the two of you.  Thank you for your beautiful example of faith.  Thank you for living out the truth that you carry in your hearts.  Thank you for letting us be a part of the journey.  You two were made for this job.  You were custom-built for Jack, and we have already seen how God has used you to love him with such devotion and steadfastness.  

Congratulations, Patterson family