Brock and Miriam are a sweet couple that I’ve been privileged to know from the very beginning of their family. Their oldest daughter Anneliese was one of the first newborn babies I ever captured. Anneliese was followed by two little brothers, Charlie and Jacob, and finally with a little sister, Lilly.
It’s amazing how much growth I have seen since 2010 in crafting my art! I am so excited that as I grow and improve my skills, I can better serve you with the most amazing heirlooms of this precious, fleeting newborn stage!
With Lilly’s arrival, Brock and Miriam were sure their family was complete.
Little did they know the adventure still ahead of them! When Lilly was five years old, they were surprised to discover another little Barlow would be joining the family!
We did a special maternity session as we were sure this child would make the family complete.
Little Miss Nora arrived and the whole family was in love with this precious new little family member.
So the Barlow family was complete.
At least, so they thought . . .
God had one more surprise for them, and this time, their little one would take them on a very unexpected and difficult journey that would stretch and challenge them beyond anything they thought possible.
Miriam discovered she was expecting again, and among other complications, was diagnosed with placenta accreta. This condition is incredibly dangerous and life-threatening for the mother.
Baby Theo arrived on October 7, 2021 weighing only 5 lbs., 3 oz.
Immediately after his emergency cesarean section delivery, Miriam immediately underwent a complete hysterectomy.
Many long and difficult days were spent in the hospital as Miriam recovered. She was not able to be with her little baby boy in those first hours and days like she was with her other babies.
Eventually, Miriam was released to go home, but little Theo was still fighting and had a long road ahead of him. Brock and Miriam experienced trauma in many forms during those long, difficult days that Theo spent in the NICU.
But finally, after 64 days, Theo was strong and healthy enough to go home.
Brock and Miriam were able to surprise all of the big brothers and sisters as they brought him home for the very first time.
Shortly after his arrival home from the NICU, I had the wonderful privilege of capturing newborn photos of this precious little life in my studio on the east side of Indianapolis.
This sweet family that was now, without a doubt, COMPLETE.
One year later, Theo came back to my Indianapolis studio for a first birthday cake smash session to celebrate his first year of life!
He is now a healthy, thriving little boy with so much potential!
Wanna know what the theme was for his cake smash? Check out the previous blog post here to find out and learn the story behind the choice of the theme!