June 3, 2009

Benik Birth Story








































I had the honor of witnessing what seemed to be the EASIEST delivery EVER. Seriously, Sydney made it look too easy. A big congratulations to Sydney & Luke and thank you for letting me be there to document it!

And if you are looking to have your birth documented in a VERY PG rating kind of way, drop me a line.

You can view the whole event and order prints HERE.

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This post came appropriately on the 3rd of June. I have not been very vocal about this until now.

Tonight, Callie and I are headed up to SLC to spend the night at Little America (thank you priceline). Then in the morning at 5:00am, we go check into University of Utah hospital for our scheduled c-section for Weston Scott, our 5th child. He'll then be transferred immediately to Primary Children's hospital where he will undergo some major surgeries etc.

Why? Our son has TOF, which basically means, he has no pulmonary valve and there is a hole in his heart. Because there is no pulmonary valve, other arteries have become enlarged and have put Weston at risk. There is pressure on the lungs due to the enlarged arteries and there will be a race to stabilize him once the umbilical cord is cut. Right now, as he is in Callie's tummy, he is 100% fine. But the second they cut the umbilical cord, it turns into a different story.

However, we are VERY lucky and blessed that though he has TOF, there is nothing else wrong with him physically.

It is going to be one crazy month as he will be up at Primary Children's for at least a month as will I as Callie will be home with the other 4 kids. After I fly to San Fran this weekend for a wedding and some family shoots, I am off for 3 weeks until my wedding on the 27th at Sundance. It is really unheard of to be off for 3 weeks during the summer. It was not planned that way, it just happened and I am grateful.

We are both hopeful and realize there is nothing we can do but believe and have faith for the best. I'll be documenting daily what will be happening with us on film. And those images will make it to the blog in due time. I'm nervous and I'm scared but, I'm ready.

I'll post updates periodically as we get them. Thanks for reading...

53 comments:

LuckyRedHen said...

With tears in my eyes and a swell in my heart for y'all, I want to let you know I'll say a prayer for Weston tonight, in just a little bit.

All my love,
Lucky :)

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful! I wish A)you were in MD B)weren't going to be extremely busy these next few weeks so you could do the birth of our little one due in 6 days.

Good luck to you and your family through this next month. Positive happy thoughts coming your way . . .

Natalie

AlliSMiles said...

I love all of your photographs, but this may be my favorite set of images I have ever seen. I always imagined my delivery to be very private--no one in the room but my husband. But you've made me want you to be there to capture it! Simply amazing.

Best wishes for you new little one.

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are priceless -- thank you for sharing your own personal struggles with us, Jon. Best of luck to Callie and Weston.

Jessica said...

Beautiful images, Jon.

My thoughts are with you and Callie today.

Cheers,
Jessica

Graciete said...

I have neglected to comment on the beauty of your images until now, despite being a constant and frequent visitor to your blog since discovering your work some time ago, but wanted to wish you and your family all the very best in this upcoming month. A safe 'journey', in every sense of the word, to you all and may you return home with all the good health and love possible.

Blessings from Portugal,

Graciete

lizroxy said...

Good Luck to you and Callie. If you need anything while you are here in Salt Lake please give us a call, we are just down the street. Take care.
Liz and Edgardo Garcia

Unknown said...

Been following Callie's blog for sometime. You and she as well as your entire family have been in my prayers the entire time! My heart is with you, and with Callie and Weston tonight and tomorrow! Take care...much love, and if you need anything...

This birthstory is beautiful btw...love the dof and the creative shots through the mirror. Perfect.

Duston Todd said...

Jon,
having been down the road of witnessing loved ones with heart defects (in my case my wife, rather than the pulmonary valve it was the aortic and mitral valve that needed to be replaced and repaired) i can relate and understand on many levels the emotions you and callie might be facing.
when things get too emotional, too personal, too fragile, i cut the camera out...but we all deal with things in a different way. some like you find comfort behind the lens...and i guess that'd be my advise, take this opportunity and see the growth in it, whether it be growth in your personal vision and connection through a lens or the growth of you and callie and your family coming closer than ever before. the challenges we all face can be a beautiful blessing.
my best to you and the family.
sincerely.
- duston

craig said...

Jon,

You and your family are in my prayers.

craig

Lesley said...

These images are absolutely stunning. Wish I could turn back the clock and have you capture images like these from the birth of our daughter. What an incredible gift you have given them.

Best wishes to you and Callie and Weston... you will all be in our prayers

Kyle Larson Photography said...

My thoughts will be with you.......

Allison said...

okay, so looking at that birthstory then reading about your sweet little weston just made me emotional.

much love and prayers from me.

Sarah said...

Beautiful work! My thoughts are with you during this time. Many blessings for you, Callie, Weston & your whole family.

Anonymous said...

a wonderful post on the gift of life in a very appreciated conservative way. Great work.

Many good wished for you and the family as you go through what's sure to be tough times. Take every moment in and focus on the love & strength between you all.

{lizzythebotanist} said...

hey jonathan-it's liz anderson. the birth story is beautiful. so sorry to hear about baby weston, but sounds like you've got things all worked out for a very happy ending. my uncle, now in his 50', had the very same condition at birth and has never had problems since his surgery as a newborn. hopefully the same goes for little weston! best of luck, you'll be in our prayers.

liz & fam

AV said...

I had no idea! Your family will be in our prayers. Please let me know if you need ANYTHING!
Much love -- Alyssa

Holly-girl said...

we are holding your family in prayer this week as you navigate these difficult waters ... looking forward to hearing how things go!
blessings,
Holly

manus chau said...

hey jonathan... thanks for sharing. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Unknown said...

it is amazing the technology that they could find out what's going on before birth...

Allegra said...

Hugs Jon. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I KNOW he'll be just fine! He's made of good stuff!

canknitian said...

Love and courage to you, Callie, Weston and family. He's a lucky boy to have you all waiting for him and loving him already.

Big hug,
Jilanna

jessica lynn said...

thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Lacey Jane said...

This series is amazing...! And, good luck with your family... I adore his new name.

ma'elePHOTO said...

Beautiful images. Thoughts are with you and your family during this time.

Bri {collected} said...

We'll be thinking about you guys!

Kate said...

Oh my goodness Jonathan. You and your wife are going to do great! Your little guy is going to do great! Keep your chin up, stay positive, and love that little pooper to no end... lots and lots of kisses (even if it's on the glass) I'll be praying for your whole family.

jennifer said...

best wishes for you and your family for the new baby's arrival. loved the birth story images, can't wait to see the ones for little weston.

Audra said...

Jon and Callie, you're in my thoughts today!

Lesley said...

I was so inspired by these gorgeous images that I posted a link to this post on my blog. hope you don't mind. Thinking of you and your family!

All the best,

Lesley

Marc Edwards Photography said...

Best wishes to you, your wife and family.

Marc

Natalie. said...

You know how much we love you. I just realized that 6 years ago today I was in the hospital completely uncertain about Raleigh. . . our little 20 inch, 4lb little man was born early in the morning on June 4th. He was our miracle and still is. I am praying that 6 years from now you'll be looking back, with Weston in your arms celebrating your healthy little miracle too. If you need me to fly out and help Callie with the kids at any time, you KNOW that I will. Just let me know. Love love love you.

Heather S. said...

Praying for you here in Tucson! I will be thinking of your Weston tonight at work. (On the Labor and Delivery unit!)

Heather and Jonathan Schwartz

jordan said...

Good luck guys.

Fat Girl said...

Best wishes and prayers to you and Callie. I will be thinking of you and your family.

Shalista

Lyndee said...

Good luck to you!! I hope all goes well! :)

Pictoria said...

These are beautiful images of a birth story--I am teary looking at them. Thinking of you, Jonathan and Callie, during this season of excitement to welcome Weston, and the tension that accompanies his medical condition.

Justin Hackworth said...

Know that I'll be praying for you, your wife, and your new boy. Also, I thought what Duston Todd said was beautiful and well said.

Veeda said...

we are thinking of you guys. lots of love.

Leslie said...

Wishing you All the best in the coming weeks and months.

esskayelle said...

we'll say a prayer for you guys tonight.

rachel thurston said...

thinking of you and your family. my prayers are with little weston.

A Bryan Photo said...

praying for you, your lovely bride, and the wonderfully brave & beautiful Weston. May God show his favor to your amazing family.
Cheers
Bj

Unknown said...

Wishing all the best for you and your wife, Jon. Hope that all goes well.

Rob I said...

Good Luck John; Hope all goes well!

Tabitha Davidson said...

I am fairly new to your blog but I have been continually amazed by your posts! Thank you for sharing, I wish you and your family the very best.

Paul said...

Jonathan...keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers...I was just wondering what was up regarding Weston...then saw the blog post...

Paul, Nicki, Kate and Sparky

alexismdyer said...

our prayers are with you and your family. thanks for sharing such a personal thing.

all the best,
Lexi

emlizalmo said...

Prayers from the Schofield family to yours. I pray that this next few weeks will be full of peace and joy.

ricka said...

Thoughts and prayers for Weston and your family.

Rick

val said...

best of luck jonathan, callie and family. our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Robert Sukrachand said...

wishing you and your family good luck!

The Garner Family said...

Those photos are amazing, what a beautiful way to capture that incredible time.
Best of luck to you and your family.