Sons & Daughters

Talena's Twins: Round 2

AlisaMarie SelvaggioComment

Meet Talena: She is 36 weeks pregnant. 

With twins. 

Again. 

If you've followed me or my photography for any time, you've probably seen Talena. I have been taking photos of her since her oldest was little (and we've known each other forever). 

I photographed her back when she was a single mom. And then I photographed her at her wedding. And then I photographed her when she got pregnant with twins (in 2013) and I was there to photograph big sister meeting them in the hospital and now here we are, a few years later… photographing her with two more babies in her belly. 

Talena doesn't have easy pregnancies. But last year she decided she wanted just ONE MORE (hopefully) EASY BABY…. 

Life is funny, isn't it? 

But she handles motherhood (and pregnancy) with grace and strength and somehow remains calm through it all. It isn't easy. But it is worth it and she cannot wait to hold these sweet babies in her arms. 

““A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.””

The Birth of Liam & Charlotte // Alaska Birth Photographer

Birth, Newborn, FamilyAlisaMarie Selvaggio1 Comment

I woke up Saturday morning at 4am to a call from Mama Jessica. "This isn't THE call. But my water broke so after the midwives get here, Ill let you know if you should come. Until then, go back to sleep." 

Go back to sleep? Ha. 

After a couple hours of waiting, I did doze off and very shortly after I received a text from Papa Will saying, "come now." And that is pretty stressful when you know you have an hour drive. Of course this particular morning it was extremely icy and very foggy. The conditions were not ideal when trying to get somewhere quickly. But as I got closer to the Kiehner home, the fog lifted and the sunrise was spectacular.

The the sun was rising, the sky was clear and the mountains shined. It was a beautiful day for Liam and Charlotte to be born. 

Introducing: Liam & Charlotte

Liam Sawyer: 8lbs 10z, 20inches

Liam Sawyer: 8lbs 10z, 20inches

Charlotte June: 8lbs 4oz, 20inches

Charlotte June: 8lbs 4oz, 20inches

Norah

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Meet Norah:

I have been photographing Norah since she was a baby. She has always been super sweet with the biggest smile and I always look forward to our sessions (and apparently so does she because she never wants me to leave when we're done<3 )

I have watched her grow into the sweetest little lady and with two new siblings joining her family soon, I have no doubt she will be the greatest big sister. But just before she gets upgraded to that big sister position, I wanted to get a few more photos of her in her element: the backyard with her beloved chickens. 

Norah will have two new siblings at home soon but before that happens. I wanted to get a few more photos of her alone, in her element: the backyard with her chickens. 

The Birth of Baby Cate

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I arrived to the Davidsson home in the early morning. It was still dark outside. The house was quiet. And upstairs, in the master bedroom, was a beautiful mother preparing to deliver her child. Surrounded with love and support.

The big sisters stayed nearby. They read their books and watched their mom in awe of her strength. While 4 little brothers slept soundly downstairs. 

We watched a beautiful sunrise as this sweet little babe prepared for journey earth side. 

“It does a man good to see his lady being brave while she has their baby…
It inspires him.”
— Ina May Gaskin

The moment a mother sees her baby for the first time… pure magic.

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The excitement in the room was incredible. The kids ran in one by one to meet their new sibling. There was no jealousy, just pure love. 

Welcome, earth side Baby Cate. We love you.