I just wanted to pop a quick post up saying showing off our new baby…. GIRL!!!!!!!! Sweet Little: Eden Meredith was born at 11:06am on Monday. She was 7lbs 10oz and 20.25″ long. Welcomed into this world from body, to water, straight into mama’s arms – in our very own home. It was quite the […]
Dearest Arden, What a beautiful gift you gave to Baby Eden and your whole family by delivering her at home!! You are a true “Pioneer Woman”; how amazing you are and Paul too for his great support! You deserve much relaxation!! Eden is very delicate and beautiful; what a tough journey for you and for E being born! A very blessed event! I cannot wait to hold Edie,and be with Pierson and Parker and everyone very soon. Also, thank you for sending all of the cutest photos (Baba is too sweet)! Love to all, LeLeAugust 18, 2011 – 9:43 pm
Congratulations!! So happy for you that the birth was all you had dreamed of and your sweet baby girl is here! Enjoy and get some rest. 🙂 God is so good.August 18, 2011 – 8:58 am
Precious angel. Looks just like her sissy! So happy for you all!August 17, 2011 – 9:17 pm
Congrats honey ! 🙂
She ‘s so cute ! Eden is a gorgeous name !
Wonderful ! 🙂August 17, 2011 – 2:45 pm
Arden:
I am so proud of you! I can’t believe you did it at home! That is so awesome and an experience I am sure you will never forget! She is absolutely beautiful! Ed & I can’t wait to see her and the rest of the clan!
LyndaAugust 17, 2011 – 12:49 pm
I couldn’t stop smiling on Monday night when I saw her on facebook. Eden is so beautiful. And so is her Mama!August 17, 2011 – 12:28 pm
Thank you for sharing these pictures! What a happy day! Your family is so beautiful and blessed! 🙂August 17, 2011 – 11:02 am
Congratulations! What a cutie! Enjoy those first few new baby days. They fly by so fast.August 17, 2011 – 10:51 am
Many of you know I am expecting my third babe – the actual due date is August 16th. So the waiting game, for me (us), has officially begun. However, now this waiting game has begun amongst some major changes in our birth plan. You see, we went from seeing my OB/GYN the first 37 weeks […]
by Arden Prucha
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I think you will be very pleased with the home birth experience. I have done it all ( hospital, home and birth center) and I have attended many (home/birth center) births as an unofficial doula for friends. I found that when I speak with people about out of hospital childbirth, I explain that for an uncomplicated pregnancy, a midwife attended birth is SAFER than being in the hospital. A midwife is there the whole time and if there are complications they catch them much sooner than if you were in the hospital on a monitor being checked on by a nurse who is busy and has other patients she must attend to. I also have personal experience with being transferred for something crazy happening in labor and can speak to the safety issue.
Oh and I wanted to add that if you did have any complications, your midwife’s back up OB is the best in the metroplex 😉 I’ve had my last two little guys with him and he let me attempt a vbac that no one else would. He is an amazingly competent Doctor who respects a mother’s ability to birth her baby. If you are not a candidate for home birth or if you must be transferred to the hospital, he’s the Doctor you want. I live in Fort Worth but have my babies in Denton. It is definitely worth the drive
Good luck with your home birth!August 16, 2011 – 1:23 am
oh. am in tears. i LOVE this decision. my friend, with her 4th pregnancy, had doctor’s care until her 37th week as well. when she & her husband toured the hospital, she realized she just needed to give birth at home, and quickly found the support she needed, even with a medical condition! she had all 4 babies at home. i had hospital births for all of mine, but really wanted to do a home birth at some point; it just wasn’t in the cards for us but our birthing room births were awesome. i praying my heart out for you, for an awesome experience and so much love in holding that little baby immediately and coherently! i photographed a home birth last year, and it changed me forever. what a miraculous thing. much love to you, arden and the WHOLE FAM – all FIVE of you! 🙂August 13, 2011 – 5:04 pm
Although all 10 of my kids are adopted and I have never had the experience of birthing any of them, I totally ‘get’ why you want to have this birth at home. I just prayed for you–that your baby will come into the world just as you have dreamed and that God’s peace will rest on all of you. If I had ever given birth, I would have loved for my parents, sister and husband to all be there during the process. 🙂August 13, 2011 – 8:44 am
You are such an inspiration and light for a lot of people. I’ve enjoyed reading your experience of this pregnancy over the past several months. I can’t wait to read your story of your home water birth.
I’m prego here in England and getting to experience their health system. It’s completely different from the States in that you only see a doctor if you have complications. The midwives are the ones who provide your prenatal care and deliver a normal birth.
Rock it momma…you will be awesome!August 13, 2011 – 7:03 am
You are such an inspiration and light for a lot of people. I’ve enjoyed reading your experience of this pregnancy over the past several months. I can’t wait to read your story of your home water birth.
I’m prego here in England and getting to experience their health system. It’s completely different from the States in that you only see a doctor if you have complications. The midwives are the ones who provide your prenatal care and deliver a normal birth.
Rock it momma…you will be awesome!August 13, 2011 – 6:58 am
Beautiful 🙂August 13, 2011 – 4:22 am
You said it all!!! Your research is factual and right on. I had the same experience in the hospital but experience, maturity and knowledge have really put the whole thing into perspective. The hospitals put a time frame on your birth which is a problem because every woman is different. If you don’t progress within those time restraints you are costing them money. The pictocin throws you into unnecessarily hard an extreme labor. What follows is the epidural to relieve you. The only problem is that the counter act on another. This along with keeping you tied to a bed which doesn’t allow gravity to help is totally unnatural. Pure and simple, our bodies are designed to birth our own children completely unassisted. Our bodies have been doing it since the beginning of time and they are still perfectly equipped to continue. Sending prayers your way!August 12, 2011 – 10:55 pm
Whew! These photos take me back to THE most life changing moment to date. I’m so glad you got to be there with me sweet friend! And even more thankful I have these photos reminding me of the AMAZING love and support I had that special day!
I’m so excited for you guys, and praying my little tush off for the Jenks fam :-). I’m so glad you included links to the statistics. It is such a sensitive topic and it’s so great for us to see all of the information out there. We are blessed to have options and to have the freedom as women to choose what we feel is best for us on an individual basis. 🙂 Yay yay!August 12, 2011 – 10:03 pm
I’m so excited for you. I PROMISE you that you will think of yourself in a whole new light when this is over. You will realize you really can achieve anything. One thing that will help is that when medicine isn’t an option it makes the whole process that much more possible. Good luck and keep us posted!August 12, 2011 – 9:44 pm
It makes me so very sad you weren’t the first to hold your new baby(ies). There’s just something so wrong about that. 🙁 I have another internet friend who had a midwife & her experience was awesome! She is now almost due again & using the same midwife. 🙂 Breathtaking photos, as usual, & I’ll be praying for you!August 12, 2011 – 9:09 pm
Praying for a smooth delivery and a beautiful birth story. Your images of Heather’s birth experience evoke such emotion–what a treasure you gave them!August 12, 2011 – 7:43 pm
Oh Arden! I am SOOO excited for you! This will be something that you will think about EVERY. SINGLE. DAY as your little one grows up. I’m very proud of you for making the decision so late in the game. So many would have been too nervous. You do truly only get one shot at having a birth the way you want it and I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you 😀
I did hypnobirthing (www.hypnobabies.com) and would call my homebirth painless. It can totally happen! And mine was a HBA2C. The best part is having the siblings there, too. And being able to go right back to sleep after the midwives leave. I sure hope you have a photographer 😉August 12, 2011 – 7:04 pm
Your story was really moving and I want to thank you for sharing it. The photos are also very inspiring and empowering to women, giving them the strength to seek out birthing options that are right for them and their families. Best of luck with your up coming birth. I look forward to seeing your photos of baby #3 very soon.August 12, 2011 – 6:56 pm
I have been praying. So excited for you Arden. I hope it is a very beautiful experience and everything goes smoothly.August 12, 2011 – 6:51 pm
While I didn’t have a home birth, I did birth naturally and these photos took me back…
Good luck to you Arden. You will do great! Can’t wait to see the little nut 😀August 12, 2011 – 6:31 pm
I am so glad to hear that you are opting for a midwife/natural home birth. I wanted to with my first but let the people talking in my ear dissuade me. I will totally be doing so for my second (whenever that time should come)!
Congrats on such a beautiful decision…a great read for anyone who feels hospital births are safe/better than home births is PUSHED by Jennifer Block. http://www.pushedbirth.com/
Congrats again!August 12, 2011 – 6:21 pm
Pierson was picked up by his Dad on Monday and I desperately needed to do some yoga. I took Parx and Violet (my niece) to the gym with me. After a nice workout, I figured it was time to give our bodies some much needed: SUGAR! What better way to consume sugar, than to head […]
by Arden Prucha
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My best friend started a cupcake business : )
I am so proud of her.
These are very pretty.
What is not to like about cupcakes?August 3, 2011 – 9:48 pm
Such a big girl hairdo!!!! So darling! Her and Sammy will make beautiful babies when they are grown up and married 🙂 if that had been j or s, those cupcakes would have been smushed in ten seconds! Such a sweet dainty girl’August 3, 2011 – 10:52 am
I am in Texas, it’s hot – very very hot, already. The low this week during the day is 98, only because of cloud cover. I skipped out on a lot of weddings in June-September because I didn’t want to be too pregnant to shoot. I didn’t want to put myself in an ‘uh oh’ […]
by Arden Prucha
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Ahh! I love these! So mad at Sara for not sending me the link! lol. I LOVE the first pic. She looks like her sassy self. 🙂November 16, 2011 – 8:08 pm
I’d love to see you experiment with abstract shots of people, places, landscapes. You have such a wonderful eye! I want to see the world the way you do!July 1, 2011 – 5:47 pm
I would love a post about your experience as you started photography and what camera you started with and some things like that. Maybe some tips on taking pictures. I know alot of it has to do with your creativity and just having a “natural eye” for things. I would love to learn some tips so I can start taking pictures of my little one. I know having good equipment makes a difference and would like some suggestions from a pro like you on what would be a good camera to invest in. I also know alot of your talent is editing the pictures so maybe for us amatures a few suggestions on a program to use or suggestions on basic editing would be awesome. LOVE YOUR WORK!!!!June 30, 2011 – 9:26 am
I would love to know how you blur the bottom half of an image in photoshop like in your first image. I love your tutorials and photo tips! 🙂 This is my fave photo blog!June 29, 2011 – 9:17 pm
Oh Arden! I know that your story is a special one. All of us could learn from it. Please share. Praying for you as you transition into motherhood of three : ). You can do it!June 29, 2011 – 8:21 pm
Too personal? Never. Your personal stuff is always my favorite. It consistently brings me to tears. I personally enjoy how “real” you are with your stories; you never glass it over with a ‘happy ending’ when it isn’t part of the story. The “being a mom” stories and blogs help me realize “I’m not alone” which I think so many moms need to hear! I always love your holidays posts and Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and birthday’s and vacations … the more personal you are with your audience the more you draw us in and intrigue us. It’s always great. Continue being YOU!June 29, 2011 – 4:20 pm
Would love to know more about f-stops and what they all mean! (I need it explained in very simple terms) Also, whats the best lens to use to capture photos that create very blurred backgrounds 🙂June 29, 2011 – 3:10 pm
First of all – beautiful images – I love pregnant woman!! I have three little ones myself (3 in 4 years!). I could look at your pictures all day!
As for what lil’ old me would like to see on your blog – quite honestly anything. I love getting to know the people behind the lens – and whatever they want to share.
I love to know how people found their passion – what gave them that final push – and that first year(s) of figuring out who you want to be and how to balance. I love seeing SOOC and after’s – and how you got their.
And of course – images of the new bundle of joy. You never fail us – and if it is personal, technical – or just pretty pictures – we will be here to read and soak it in!June 29, 2011 – 2:53 pm
It was three weeks before I gave birth. My sister and her husband received a phone call. Violet’s birth mother, had just given birth to a baby boy. CPS was taking him away at three days old and wanted to place him in their home, for fostering. They didn’t even think twice: YES YES […]
by Arden Prucha
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Hi, I stumbled upon this site. I never met another Mallon before! He’s adorable.
Great story. Mallon is a lucky little kid to have a loving family like you!January 3, 2014 – 8:14 am
I know this is a little late, Arden, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing our family’s story. You have managed to capture some very intimate and joyful moments with your gifted eye. Reading your words brought back so many emotions for me… Andy and I are just so thankful for the blessing that our children are to our family, and that we had an incredibly happy ending to this chapter of our lives. I hope that our story is able to help or encourage others out there that are going on a journey (or plan to go on a journey) similar to ours. My advice to those that are … the power of prayer is incredible and STAY POSITIVE! God is GREAT! Peace and love to all!June 29, 2011 – 6:30 pm
Thank you for sharing this! It is such an inspirational story and had me tearing up the whole time! What a sweet blessing.June 29, 2011 – 2:47 pm
what a beautiful story, told through words and incredible photos.(I was coming by after the post written about you and shared on the studio link up on Friday’s) would you mind if I used your umbrella idea in a series of watercolor paintings I am doing of our adopted daughter? I have started a series of silhouettes and have a list of ideas- her down syndrome features are just so beautiful this way. I just didnt want to paint away without asking first.June 28, 2011 – 4:35 pm
I am visiting your site for the first time from Rebekah’s blog … and so delighted to read this beautiful story because we, too, have been blessed by adoption (five times over!) and we, too, understand the precious bond between cousins who have been brought together from different backgrounds and places and knit together as family. God bless!!June 27, 2011 – 9:54 pm
You are very talented at what you do, I just stumbled upon your website and I love your photos. If I lived in the Dallas area I would for sure contact you.June 24, 2011 – 11:22 am
Such a beautiful story! Our oldest son’s birth father also said he would contest the adoption…but when we met him in court for the first time (baby was only 3 days old), he walked into our arms and decided not to contest. God was so faithful. We have kept our relationships with our kids’ birth families and it has been a blessing for all of us. Our oldest is getting married next week…eeek! So blessed to read the story of your sister and her husband–their faith–their love–and God’s blessing on the situation.June 22, 2011 – 9:10 am
Thank you,
Arden for telling this beautiful,tender, miraculous story, especially for Violet and Mallon and for all of us.June 21, 2011 – 9:08 pm
Great story!!! I am a friend of Andy’s from high school…reconnected via FB and saw the journey. It captured my attention since I work for an attorney ad litem here in Florida that represents kids in foster care (NOT CASA/ guardian ad litem, but the attorney for the child). What Andy and Nicole did was amazingly unselfish and it is such a blessing that the bio father saw this and did the most unselfish act of all…gave his children the best, even though it was so painful. Foster parents don’t have rights and usually get treated so poorly. Kudos to the Tomme’s for sticking it out, having faith, and wanting to do what was best for the kids…God has certainly blessed you for it!June 21, 2011 – 6:33 pm
Thank you so much for sharing Arden! As it turns out, my husband and I are in the position where we may have to adopt as well. Even though it will be worth it, I get so scared thinking of all the waiting, pain, trials, and tears we may have to go through if we do have to adopt in order to have children in our lives. I always appreciate it when people are willing to share their stories so we who are going through the same thing can have ‘someone’ or something to lean on. Tell you family congratulations!
And, as always beautiful pictures – to be honest, since we’re moving to Texas (this week!) and adoption is in the picture, I’ve always wanted the process photographed, and I’ve even thought of emailing you and just asking you to be our photographer for when that day comes 🙂 So, watch out for an email from me in *hopefully* the next five years (max). You’re wonderful, as always!June 21, 2011 – 3:23 pm
I am crying and crying.
Too many times I see the opposite thing happen.
The kids go back.
And lives are forever changed.
It hurts to watch.
I am SO thankful for their happy outcome.June 21, 2011 – 2:12 pm
Arden,I can’t tell you how beautiful this post is. Thanks for making me cry at work! Thank you for sharing our story, as it may give hope to others. And thank you for capturing this amazing moment! Love.June 21, 2011 – 12:49 pm
You have me crying. Such a beautiful story.June 21, 2011 – 11:17 am
Oh great – now I’m crying! What an amazing heartfelt story Arden! Beautiful children, beautiful family – your images radiate the love you all must feel for each other. Thank you for sharing!June 21, 2011 – 11:12 am
Oh man….that’s just not nice….NOT NICE AT ALL!! Get me crying after I’ve already done my make up! Now I’m a blubbering mess with mascara running down her face!
I LOVE this post. It’s beautiful!
One of the families I babysit for everyday are foster parents and 2 days after their adoption of their last foster baby, the birth mom was in the hospital giving birth to her baby brother. 🙁 Same thing, same story, except the BF is in prison, and the mom is still fighting. But for right now, I have the 2 siblings every day together and I try to take as many photos of them together as I can…..for the “what if”. For just in case it doesn’t turn out right.
What a beautiful family!! Also reminds me of the day my baby sister became a part of our family! 😀 Man I love adoption stories!June 21, 2011 – 11:02 am
cried as i looked at these pictures…my sis and her hubby just adopted a baby girl this past january …. adoption is a beautiful, beautiful thingJune 21, 2011 – 10:59 am
What a beautiful story!! I cried as I read every word. The kids look so happy. So glad God blessed your family with such a precious gift. Pics are awesome.June 21, 2011 – 10:48 am
Wow!! That is so amazing! CONGRATULATIONS, ANDY AND NIKKI!!!!! Much love to y’all!June 21, 2011 – 10:44 am
[…] a year later and another adoption down… our sweet Mallon is TWO […]October 7, 2011 – 2:18 pm
by Arden Prucha
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