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24

Feb

Arlo – 4 friends, 23 years of friendship

  • By Beck Photography

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

After 23 years of friendship, starting as students at Phillips Exeter Academy, Warren and Ryan and Alisson and Mike embarked on a journey that could only be traveled by the closest of friends with an incredible amount of trust. Alisson was going to be the surrogate for Warren’s and Ryan’s baby.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

As with the births of Alisson’s and Mike’s 4 children – ages 5, 7, 9 and 11, Ryan’s and Warren’s baby was going to be born at home.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

The new dads-to-be called me on Friday February 16th at 4:00pm to let me know things were progressing. But labor was slow and the waiting game began.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

Ryan and Warren share a drink, to celebrate the impending arrival and to no doubt calm the nerves.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

At 7:30pm, Kathy the midwife suggested Alisson and Mike take a walk in the fresh air hopefully helping the labor progress, but also to give Alisson some space from the activity in the house…2 nervous and excited dads-to-be, 4 children watching movies in the basement supervised by Ryan’s mom, 2 midwives, 1 photographer and 1 very supportive husband! By 8:00pm, Kathy determined that we should all go home, get some rest and regroup when the labor progressed.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

While I’m in the shower, I receive these texts. With wet hair, no shoes and thankfully a fully packed camera bag at the door, I ran across the street and into Alisson’s bedroom.

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

First frame shot at 8:52:49 am

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

Arlo was born at 8:53:24 am!

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

This is my favorite photo. I am in awe of the gift that Alisson and Mike gave to their dear friends.

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

Allison, one of the midwives, shows Ryan and Warren the placenta – aka Arlo’s home for the past 9 months.

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

The midwife, Ryan and Warren get a good laugh when Arlo weighs in at 9lbs, 7oz, at least 2 lbs heavier than any of Alisson’s and Mike’s children at birth.

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

birth photography, Laurie Beck Peterson, Beck-Photos.com, BECK photography, philadelphia birth photography

 

Team Arlo!.