Sunset near Milford, Nebraska
December 28, 2011

Clara Mei Morehead arrived, safe and sound, into the world yesterday morning! This baby is a dream. I am absolutely mesmerized by her chubby cheeks that softly roll against her little shoulders. I could trace her sweet round arms and legs all day—or at least until she cries and I hand her back to Jason or Renae. Before she was born I guessed she’d weigh around 7lb. Her brothers, who were born six and four weeks prematurely, were quite small, which makes sense. But boy oh boy was my guess off! Clara, full-term, was determined to skip the newborn clothing all together at 9lb, 5oz.

Congratulations, Renae and Jason, on your amazing and beautiful baby girl! You done good, friends.

Though I didn’t cuddle this little guy last night (Jeremy and Livia were sick on Christmas Day), I did get to see him. And that was satisfaction enough.

Joel is absolutely adorable. And big! What a gorgeous 9lb baby! He was getting plenty of love from his grandma, aunts, cousins and Renae, so I know he wasn’t neglected whatsoever. Renae snuggled him right on top of her own very pregnant tummy, and I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to see Joel and little Clara (ETA: Friday morning!) running around the pews at Redeemer together.

In the face of Joel I see evidence of God’s goodness and graciousness and incredible joy. Thank you, God, for blessings like him that strengthen my faith and keep me turning to you in amazement.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

This year’s December Photo Project has been particularly fun for me. I leave the DPP with a final image of a photographer who is happy, tired, satisfied and deeply joyful as she celebrates this Christmas season.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

The story I have to tell is greater than three images and a few words in a blog post. But for now, these small markers will suffice for representing the larger story. At 1:00am Saturday I received a phone call where Brian Bradley’s voice said something like, “Let’s go, Tredway.” After that, my camera captured snapshots while one Maralee Bradley did the work of a lifetime. Seen above, she’s walking the hallways, smiling before all smiles vanished, and breathing deeply through a contraction.

This post lacks an ending. That beautiful reward a mama literally labors towards happened in a surgical room and, alas, only one person was allowed in. I was kind of hoping Brian would pass out at the last minute so I could dress in scrubs, but no such luck. ;)

The Facebook announcement reads, “For unto us a son is given! Joel Richard Bradley was delivered via C-Section on 12/24/11 at 5:11 pm after 14 hrs of hard labor. He is 9 lbs and 21 1/2 in long.”

I praise God for so much today! And when I finally hold that darling baby in my arms, you can bet I’ll photograph him.

Cutting Daddy’s hair required lots of concentration. Most of the time his face was quite zen-like as his girls buzzed around his head and, well, pretty much buzzed his head.

Only once did things get a bit hairy. Pun intended.

Tonight we celebrated the 40th anniversary of my folks with a lovely dinner and dessert. Happy 40th, Mom and Dad! I love you!

An elf came over and wrapped presents with me today. It was a beautiful elf with a beautiful name. Thanks a million, Rebecca! My elbows and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

(Yes, that is a pig in a teacup for Livia. No, you may not show her this pic before Christmas.)

At the end of a long day, one where going out to eat seemed the only option, I wasn’t sure what I was going to capture for my DPP shot. Lo and behold, we saw two families we knew at HF Crave tonight. I recalled needing a portrait and they were cool enough to sit still for a moment. Thanks, friends! I hope a good burger and fries cheered up your little one. (I know that Black and Bleu burger made my tummy happy.)

I’ve eaten many a Rudolph candy cane, but for the first time in my 34 years, tonight I made some. With my faithful 1st grader at my side handily glue-dotting red pom poms, I pasted googly eyes like the non-pro I am. The eyes slide down to the red noses while we twisted antlers atop the heads. It was fun. It was classic. It was a Christmas craft.

DPP moment #19.