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The Birth of Charlotte Elizabeth - Keila June Photography

2018-11-16T12:12:00.001-05:00

SHE'S HERE!!

The long awaited and much anticipated baby GIRL addition to our family! 😁

The night before Charlotte was born, I was determined to "walk her out" by going to the beach and jumping around a bit under the full moon. We had dinner after, and got home around 10pm.

I believe it worked because I woke up with my first contraction around 5:30am! 🙌🏼

I had one or two contractions an hour after that first one, so I knew it would be a long day. I texted my midwife, parents and photographer friends. When the kids woke up around 9am I shared the news with them that THIS would be the day that they would meet their baby sister! Everyone got dressed and were over the moon excited! I also told them they would need to be patient as it may not happen until the wee hours of the next day.

I started full blown nesting, did what was left of my laundry and folded lol, mopped the floors, took a shower, pampered myself, prepared breakfast... all while having sporadic (but painful) contractions.

Around noon my midwife (bless her heart) told me to take some skullcap and take a nap. So I got comfortable in the Miles' Circuit position, breathed through another 2 contractions, and fell deep asleep! Woke up two hours later to a very painful contraction. I knew I was getting closer, but I still felt I had to get stuff done, so off to the kitchen I went to make arepas (a Venezuelan corn pancake type of thing) and after a while I told my husband to take over so they wouldn't get burned. I retreated to my room, where I sat on an exercise ball. I heard my parents arriving but at this point, I started deep moaning through contractions as they were becoming more and more intense. Because they were still pretty far apart I was able to build strength again before the next one came.

As my husband heard me, he knew I was getting very close so he told midwife Gelena, and she was at our house within 30 minutes! She knows when my husband is the one texting her she needs to make her way over. 😂 She arrived around 5:45pm, set up all the supplies, and had a look at my "purple line" (a way to see how much you are approximately dilated without an internal cervical exam). As soon as she saw, she said "ooh, I would get in the water if I were you, you look to be about 8-9cm". 🤨 I was so surprised because I didn't feel like I was anywhere near giving birth yet. I was still breathing calmly through each surge, and listening to my worship music in between, singing praises to God! I had my whole support system next to me by this time. My parents, my husband and my boys, my daughter who was my own personal little doula, my two photographers (who also happen to be great friends!), my sister, my midwife and her assistant. My house was full and so was my heart. I couldn't believe this was about to go down! 🤩

So I got in the birth pool which I had setup way ahead of time, I had made a birth space for myself and looked forward to this very moment for nearly a month before. I had my favorite essential oils diffusing and my favorite worship playlist going. The atmosphere was right. I just sat back and relaxed, waiting for the next surge. And so it came. This one was different. This one made me start bearing down more and I felt her head enter the birth canal, still deep within me. I changed positions to find a less painful one. With the next contraction, my water broke and I felt her descending even more. As I breathed and deep grunted, I felt the head start to emerge. I couldn't believe I was birthing her on my own. I held on tightly to my perineum as the counter pressure felt good and I was able to guide her out. I felt her head of hair just flowing in the water. This got me excited for my next contraction! I was determined to push her head out now, as the ring of fire was really burning! So with the next one, I really grunted and pushed with all my might and felt her head pop out fully! What sweet relief!! I waited there a few seconds until my body pushed the rest of her out, the most incredible feeling on earth! My midwife lovingly grabbed her and placed her on my chest. "I did it! She's here! Praise Jesus! God, You are faithful!" These were all the thoughts going through my head. Charlotte was born 6:59pm on September 24, weighing 8.5lbs and 21 1/4 inches!

This was my redemptive birth. The one that healed all others. The one that brought such joy to my heart! The one that was an answer to all my prayers. If my midwife wasn't there to stop me, I probably would've gotten up and started dancing - I was so happy and energized!

⚓️🌈

Below is a slideshow of this moment!

A very vulnerable moment for me, but I will gladly share with you as I believe in empowering and encouraging other women out there, that they too can do it!

Naturally, peacefully and lovingly.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Photos taken by Rachel Eade (@eade) and Brooke Logue (@brookeloguephotography)

Attended by Midwife Gelena Hinkley from Natural Birthworks in Margate, FL.

And her lovely assistant Martha Lerner from Zenmamalove. She is a doula and fellow birth photographer.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Keila's Maternity Session - Keila June Photography

2018-09-16T12:58:00.000-04:00

I normally dislike being in front of the camera (as many photographers do!) 😅, but because this is a special occasion to be celebrated... I decided to suck it up and have my beautiful and talented daughter take some shots of me pregnant with her baby sister!
We certainly had a great time laughing at me "modeling" and being silly 😂
It was a challenge trying to keep 3 boys from running off (or... going in front of the camera or... behind me and being in the shot - you can imagine!), then giving directions to my daughter and trying to "pose" myself as well. But we all survived! lol
As many of you may know, this is my rainbow baby 🌈, and a girl after 3 boys... so we are beyond thrilled to meet her in about a week's time! 💜

Caedyn Newborn Session - Keila June Photography

2018-09-05T12:38:00.000-04:00

Gender Reveal!! - Keila June Photography

2018-04-06T11:58:00.000-04:00

Martinez Gender Reveal - Keila June Photography

2017-10-18T11:18:00.000-04:00

Video / Slideshow here:

Martinez Gender Reveal

Baby Martinez Gender Reveal from Keila Gonzalez on Vimeo.

Joshua Newborn Session - Keila June Photography

2017-03-20T16:09:00.000-04:00

Introducing baby Joshua!

Born Friday Feb 24th at 9:37am weighing 7lbs and 3oz, 20 3/4 inches.
Love so much by his older sisters and brother!

And lastly, a family portrait. How beautiful and blessed are they!!

Evening at the Beach - Keila June Photography

2017-01-24T15:44:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share a few snaps from a couple nights ago.

One of the highlights of this evening, was this little guy with his bucket! He was surprised at himself at how much power a bucket with cold water had over the people he threatened! Hahahaha

It was all fun and games until he came after ME, with a baby strapped to my back and a camera! 😳😆

💙💙

When you're sitting and having a good time... and you get wiped out!

When you have no idea a wave is about to crush you! 😂

The excitement when daddy says he'll take you in 😄

Makayla Newborn Photos

2017-01-16T15:01:00.002-05:00

This was a very last minute unplanned photo session, but I wasn't passing up the opportunity to meeting my friend's new baby girl, right? :D

Meet Makayla <3

Preston is 6 months - Keila June Photography

2016-10-05T01:14:00.000-04:00

My youngest is 6 months old and I'm not sure how that happened. I love every stage of infancy, some days wishing for it to be over, and some days just really longing for this time because I know it'll be over way too soon.
Well, I decided to quickly grab some pictures of him today & plopped him outside in his diaper (which describes my life right now very well - a zoo! hahaha).

And these I took just a couple days earlier... I was just trying to capture a fraction of the different expressions from him <3

Animal Rescuing With Friends

2016-07-31T18:19:00.000-04:00

It seems like when we go to the beach, the kids take different directions with their activities based on weather, tide, ocean conditions etc... This particular evening, the water was full of life! And the kids enjoyed catching, collecting and releasing. I never really document it, but this day was special since they got to do it with some great friends! Thank you @brookelogue for the great memories :*

It Takes a Village - part two

2016-04-16T17:21:00.000-04:00

I need to publicly THANK all those friends and family (near and far!) for making my transition into being a mommy of 4 so much easier!

For the first week after Preston was born, my sister Sharyn, took such good care of my family and I! She provided meals, helped with laundry, brought some Easter goodies for the older ones, decorated my home with fresh flowers and balloons... I was seriously floored by her willingness to help and generosity!!

Then... I was even further surprised when my other sister from New Jersey, Debbie, came up with a list of family and friends that would provide meals every. single. night. for 2 weeks!!!!

I am in total AWE of how God takes care of us! Through my friends, I was able to feel His love because they were all loving on me. I felt God's care and provision, because He was caring and providing for me through my friends, in an area I knew would be a challenge for the first few weeks with a newborn. I have never had a postpartum experience like this!!!

I wish I could name every single person on here, that went shopping for me, showed up at my door with diapers, gifts, meals, picked up my kids to have ice cream, watched everyone while I showered, came to wash and fold clothes, or even that special one person that mopped all my floors against my will!! hahaha I LOVE YOU!

It takes a village -- and I love MY VILLAGE!

It Takes a Village - Preston's Homebirth

2016-04-13T00:10:00.000-04:00

It's funny to see people's expressions when they hear about me choosing to have a home birth. Given my past hospital birth experiences this was a no brainer actually! :) It was probably my most painful and empowering birth yet because I was standing the whole time, gravity sure moved things very quickly! From when active labor started until the time he was born was just about an hour long.

So for the story....

I had contractions on and off all day on Monday 3/21. I didn't think anything of it. But my AMAZING midwife, predicted a baby for that Monday because it was two days before the full moon. I was in total disbelief that she could possibly get the date right on the nose like that! LOL Another clue was that I was in the bathroom for most of the day too (sorry tmi) but my body just knew baby was coming and was cleaning itself out. This happened with my third pregnancy as well -- I should've known better! ;)

I kept in touch with my midwife the whole time, and she probably knew it was labor, but was telling me all sorts of things to try to sleep it off! hahahaha I really did try to sleep and follow her advice, since my contractions would come in sets of 2-3 every couple of hours! I told my photographer at 11pm to keep her phone on just in case for that night, because "maybe" something was happening.

We had my husband's friend come over, and he hung out for a little while (we are night owls like that), but I couldn't really focus on any conversations, and not because of contractions -- I was just. that. cranky!!! I wanted to SLEEP so badly! So I laid down.

Around 2am, my husband asked me how I was doing, and I couldn't give him a straight answer because those contractions sure were painful but so sporadic that I was confused if labor was starting, or maybe I would have a baby the next day or two, or what....

But he said he heard my moaning through these surges and he remembered that this is what I sounded like in my previous births!

Smart man he is!

He then contacted the midwife, and she said she was on her way around 2:45am. Good thing she lives near us, because at that point I felt like there was NO relief in between contractions! Labor went from 0-100mph in a 20 minute span.

When she arrived at 3 am, she said to my husband "oh - she's very close!" What I thought was pretty amazing about her too, is that she didn't do a single internal check the whole time. She KNEW how close I was just by looking at me, and listening to me. This woman really has super powers!!! :)

All I wanted was for her to set up the birth tub though!! I wanted to get in the water and get some relief, because the contractions were out. of. this. world intense and I began screaming, literally!! It was the only way I could cope with the intensity of the pain, baby was coming down FAST and FURIOUS! :D My husband quietly whispered to me as I got louder, and louder: Babe, soon the neighbors are going to call the cops! lol

At this point, my parents walked in, with one of my sisters (who travelled from NJ that week) and 3 of my nieces. A couple minutes later my other sister arrives, and my midwife's assistant too.... It seemed like a really full house. But you see, it takes a village folks. They were all silent, and respectful. Helping and assisting me in areas I didn't even know I needed! I had my husband supporting me, and my mom fanning me, holding my legs... One sister praying over me, the other bringing me coconut water and taking whatever photos she could on her phone. My dad, the grandfather.... just being present as the backbone of the entire family. The kids all learning about family values and priorities, even at 3AM. A whole new generation of girls and future mothers learning about how birthing choices matter. All I can say is, yes my house was FULL! Full of love, full of support and positive vibes.

Now, as they were trying to fill my own tub in my room (because we obviously had no time for the birth pool), I reached down and felt his head crowning with each contraction, but I wasn't pushing (just screaming lol), he was almost out all on his own... so, as per my midwife, I got into a squatting position on the birth stool and with one long push he went FLYING out into my midwife's hands at 3:45am! How in the world she caught him no one really knows, it was way too fast for anyone to see! All I know is, she went from behind me to in between my husband's legs. There were no pauses, like "there's the head out, now the shoulders... etc etc" He flew like a football! As soon as I felt his head coming out there was no stopping me from pushing his whole body out in one shot.

To go into my own bed after birth was priceless! To have the baby checked right there next to me was even better.

No, I didn't get my water birth, and no, there was no time for the photographer to arrive, and no, I didn't get to light candles to "set the mood", there was no music or playlist playing in the background, and no, there was no time to put on the top I bought just for the birth!!! Things definitely didn't go as I planned or envisioned it, but it was just as beautiful in its own way.

This experience has topped all my other hospital births. And I would do it all over again!

I can't stress enough how good it was to have my family there.... My oldest sister and my niece massaging my cold and shaky feet, my other sister cooking me a postpartum meal and feeding it to me... my mom helping to clean up a little. I mean, it does take a village y'all. And I had my village there! All surrounding me with tenderness and love.

Everyone had gone home around 7am and our lives as a family of SIX had just begun <3

Here are some additional photos of Preston's birth day that I took while in my comfy bed, and some that my husband took too!

:)

Sandy was so gentle - we all fell in love with her kind soul

I just love how big sister did not take her eyes off the baby the whole time!

The moment of truth - I thought he was 6 1/2 pounds - Wrong! A smidge over 8 pounds!

Tia Sharyn getting his first diaper on, and onesie...

Please excuse the super tired faces!

Daddy is the best baby swaddler ever :)

Everyone got their turn to hold and meet Preston!!

With big sister...

With big brother #1

With big brother #2

The whole crew - bed hair and all!

And daddy of course....

And with cousins, Becky, Sarah and Hannah....

With Tia Sharyn... who did so much to make his entrance earthside as smooth as possible!

One with Opa, Oma and uncle Jesse too....

And with tia Debbie who got the honors of changing his first meconium diaper!! :D

Gingerbread Houses With Friends - Keila June Photography

2015-12-17T17:07:00.000-05:00

Today is her 10th birthday.

TENTH!

I am a mother of a ten year old!!

Craziness!

It's been ten amazing years, I can tell you that much. Full of laughter, and beauty, and love.

Yesterday, we build some gingerbread houses with her friends. They had so much fun together, lots of giggles as the houses kept falling apart, broken scissors, hardened frosting, and broken frosting bags, haha!

Glad to share these moments with these special people! :)

Checking their slo-mo video out:

Gender Reveal!!! - Keila June Photography

2015-10-15T21:10:00.000-04:00

Let me first start by talking a little about my friend Amy. I met Amy a couple years ago at my son's baseball practices. She is one of the sweetest souls I have ever met! So selfless and always willing to help. She was the one that put all this together for my family. She was thrilled when I asked her to get the envelope with the gender, and put together the supplies so we can find out together as a family. I just wanted a fun way to document our faces as we were surprised with whether this new baby joining us was a boy or a girl. I need to thank her a million times over! Thank you for putting up with all my craziness, and texts, and leaving your baby girl to help us, for driving to party city multiple times, for taking these amazing pictures, for just being you. Thank you, Amy! <3

And now for some fun stuff.... :D

We didn't have a preference, either a little boy or little girl would be a blessing. But many, many people were saying they thought I was carrying a girl this time. So after a couple of months hearing this, it's almost like you start believing it. So when those balloons popped, we were VERY surprised! I honestly think this was the best was to find out. Not laying on a table and being shown a screen (as with my previous 3 pregnancies). It was so fun to look for the color that was flying around us!!!!

So, here it is....

Coss & Quinn's Newborn Sesh - Keila June Photography

2015-08-23T02:24:00.000-04:00

Meghan turns ten! - Keila June Photography

2015-07-11T17:56:00.000-04:00

Today is Meghan's tenth birthday!!

I can imagine what her mama is feeling!

My first born's 10th birthday is coming up at the end of this year, and I have such a mix of emotions. I'm happy, because she's growing into such a beautiful young lady, and she is becoming more and more of a friend/companion to me. I'm sad because in some ways, she's still my baby, and to watch her grow so fast is definitely kinda sad, and not to mention how old it makes ME feel! hahaha And.... everything else in between!

So today, I want to wish this beauty a super happy birthday! And to her mama... I feel you friend <3 hehe

Audrey Turns One - Keila June Photography

2015-06-13T09:53:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's been a year since baby Audrey was born! (you can see her birth story HERE)

When I was asked to photograph her party, I was more than honored to be there... This family is very special to me. I also photographed her big sister's first birthday a few years ago, and I've watched this family grow over the years.

I love when clients become friends!

Now let's be honest here... have you ever seen a cuter Snow White? I seriously wanted to take this DOLL home, because that's what she looked like, a baby doll!

Gumbo Limbo with friends - Keila June Photography

2015-04-24T01:03:00.000-04:00

"A friend is what the heart needs at all times" - Henry Van Dyke

These kids love exploring and learning! And I love capturing them, and the sparkle in their eyes when they discover new things

:)

Old friends - Keila June Photography

2015-04-15T14:27:00.000-04:00

Love when old friends come to visit! I haven't seen Jasmine probably close to 20 years! We were young teens together, and now married mommies. It was great catching up, seeing how much we still had in common. Come back soon, friend! <3

(please don't mind the out of focus picture, have you ever tried to take a selfie with a SLR camera and press the shutter? Yeah, not the easiest! lol)

Meet her daughter Olivia

The next generation :)

And while we caught up, the kids played with daddy of course!

Easter 2015 - Keila June Photography

2015-04-05T13:56:00.000-04:00

Sayori - Keila June Photography

2014-10-02T19:16:00.000-04:00

And, of course, there's always playing and running around after shoots! lol

Emma - Keila June Photography

2014-09-03T20:36:00.000-04:00

Saying goodbye!

2014-09-01T15:43:00.000-04:00

My parents usually go away for a couple months every year to their home country, Brazil. The kids always have a hard time with that because we are all so close to them. But pictures like these make us count our blessings!! And although they won't be around for a while, we are thankful for the time we do have together

<3

Audrey's Birth Story - Keila June Photography

2014-07-04T13:21:00.000-04:00

Summer Play Dates - Keila June Photography

2014-06-22T19:26:00.000-04:00