Lehigh Valley Family Photographer | Caila + Jay Maternity

One of my fondest childhood memories involves playing house with my oldest sister Caila. We would create these pretend families with our cabbage patch kid baby dolls and give them our favorite names. We loved visiting each others’ “houses” and “babysitting” each other’s dolls. As a child I often imagined what our lives would be like in the future when we would grow up and build families of our own, and I always pictured Caila as the sister who would have many children.

Caila and by brother-in-law, Jay, have endured a difficult journey to becoming parents. Their pathway to parenthood has included both miscarriages and spontaneous abortions, several broken hearts, and many tears and sleepless nights. My sister began to doubt and resent her body for not being able to do its unique job. My family cried with them and prayed with them that they would soon see better days and be able to share the joy that comes along with a pregnancy announcement.

In February 2018, I received a text from my sister. It was a video of her dumping a jar of jelly beans. Behind the jar, a note read, “We’re spilling the beans! Jayden Rose Bower, due June 2018!” I cried so hard and called her right away. My sister was finally going to be a mother. I was going to be an aunt, and all of our dreams were coming true.

Of course it was no question that we had to document this beautiful milestone for this little family! Jay’s family owns a farm near Williamsport, PA that has beautiful rolling hills and amazing landscapes. It’s one of my favorite spots, especially since it’s the location where I shot Caila and Jay’s wedding portraits. We were blessed with gorgeous late Spring weather and a dreamy sunset for their session. I’ve never seen my sister look as beautiful as she did for her maternity shoot. She was truly a glowing expectant mother. We enjoyed every minute of our time together as we talked about Jayden’s arrival and how excited but nervous they both were to become parents.

They say nothing worth having comes easy. For Caila and Jay, their road to parenthood has been very difficult to say the least. But it’s important to know that without storms, there would be no rainbows. This special little rainbow baby will bring so much joy and purpose to their lives, and finally make their hearts feel complete.