Hazel’s mama and I go way back. Like, nearly 10 years back. Hayli was one of my very first pageant coaching clients in 2009 and she placed 1st Runner-Up to Miss Arizona Teen USA in 2009 and 2011, and 3rd Runner-Up in 2010. Now she’s married and has a baby! (And, boy, do I feel old!)
Hayli and Rick met several years ago when she was in college and they both worked at iPic. She graduated from ASU (good choice), they got married last June in Napa, and found out just a few months later that she was expecting! They decided to move back to Arizona from California to be closer to their families, which meant great news for me so I could photograph Hazel’s newborn session 😉
I loved catching up with Hayli and meeting Rick, and seeing how perfect they are together. Keep reading to hear Hazel’s birth story…
“Hazel’s birth was such a special experience. I purposely went in with no expectations, as I knew whatever plans I had for my labor, Baby more than likely had something else in mind! But the stars aligned perfectly and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful birth.
On Wednesday evening, July 18th around 5:00pm, I began having contractions. However, after having false labor Monday afternoon, I didn’t want to get my hopes up in case it wasn’t the real deal. I had flown my friend Jessica in for the weekend to act as my doula, and she arrived that night around 11:00pm. My contractions were about seven to nine minutes apart by the time she got to my house, and she recommended I try to sleep. I slept on and off until around 4:00am, when I decided to try a bath to soothe the contractions. I even had a peanut butter and honey sandwich while in the tub!
Contractions progressed throughout the next day, and around 5:15pm they had gotten to 4 minutes apart for around an hour. Luckily we live very close to the hospital, so we loaded up the car and headed in! They checked me when we arrived and I was 4cm dilated, and my doctor called to ask if I wanted my water broken to speed up the process. We decided to, and as contractions became WAY more intense after that, we decided to go ahead with the epidural. Although it was put in wrong the first time (yikes!), it was instant relief after that, and my only regret is that I’d asked for it sooner.
I was dilating pretty slowly (only 6cm by 10:00pm), so my doctor decided to start me on pitocin to help speed up my labor. I was able to nap here and there, and by the time I woke up around 1:00am, I felt a whole new pressure down there and asked the nurses to check me. Sure enough, I was not only 10cm, but Hazel had worked her way down the birth canal and her head was RIGHT there. The nurses panicked a little and called my doctor, who lived about 20 minutes away, and had me do small pushes in the mean time to help ease the pressure. My doctor arrived at 1:19am, and Hazel was born just three minutes later! I felt shock, awe, and disbelief watching them hold her up for me to see. She was perfect. The nurses put her on my chest and she immediately started to push and hold herself up! Who knew someone could be so strong after only a minute or two outside the womb?
My husband cut her umbilical cord, they cleaned her up and weighed her in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces and 19.5 inches long. I truly couldn’t have asked for a smoother, more beautiful birth for my daughter, and it will always be my most cherished memory.”
Hayli and Rick, I’m in tears because I’m so darn happy for you. Your story is so beautiful and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to capture these memories for you. Hayli, I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. You are the perfect mama for Hazel and I love the way you love on her! Thank you for trusting me with this milestone! I adore all three of you!
xoxo,
Brenna
Hazel’s Nursery Details:
Mirror | Crib (discontinued, similar) | Dresser | Floor Lamp | Nightstand | Gold Dots | Heart Pillow | Quilt | Rug | Glider | Wall Shelf | Wire Basket | Unicorn | Chandelier | Wooden Name Decor
