December 7th. That's the day I officially became "Aunt CiCi" 

YAAAYY!!!!! :D :D

I don't even know where to begin to describe the amazingness. Let me first preface with this: I've never had any younger siblings, and because of this, babies have always slightly made me nervous. They are so tiny and fragile, and what the heck do I do if one starts crying?! I never even babysat growing up. So...needless to say, I wasn't the one in the group who was all, "Oh let ME hold the baby!" :)

When my sis-in-law found out she was pregnant (first one out of all the siblings!), I was super excited to get to see the entire process, and get over my baby phobia. The past nine months have been so fun, helping her get the nursery ready and feeling the sheer amazingness of the baby kicking. I was ready to meet my nephew.

Monday morning, my entire family trekked to Dallas, where we sat at the hospital all day anticipating the arrival of little Dalton. We alternated between the waiting room, the vending machines, :) and sitting with Cassidi as she braved contractions like a champ. When she went in for a c-section, we prayed, tapped our fingers, and anxiously awaited the coming of our new family member.

I'll never forget seeing my brother suddenly appear in the doorway, all smiles and in scrubs, announcing HE was HERE! I'm pretty sure the entire room almost exploded with joy and happiness. We shot out of our seats, screaming with excitement, gave rounds of hugs, and followed Daniel down to where Dalton was getting all cleaned up. 

I've never been present for a birth before, but this one was incredible because we actually got to see Dalton and be with him the moments after he had been born. We're not talking like through a window or anything--we were right there, next to his warmer!

I've heard lots of photographers say that they first knew they wanted to be a photographer in the moments and days after their first child was born. The preciousness of that new life, and getting to capture it in a photo is just too much of a gift, and they're hooked. Well, had I not already been a photographer, I can see how I would have wanted to be after that experience. I can't come up with any other words besides amazing. Amazing. Amazing.

Amazing.

Here's little Dalton just moments after being born!

 We all got to hold him soon after. I'm happy to say that I'm baby-phobia free! :) He's just too cute to resist holding! Top row: Beautiful mom Cassidi, and proud dad, Daniel! Middle row: My other sweet sis-in-law, Lacey, and me. Bottom row: My other brother, Brian, and my parents, now grandparents!

Here's Dalton the next day. One day old! :) Isn't he just the cutest?!

You'll be seeing lots more of this little guy on my blog. The camera loves him! :)