(01 of35)
Open Image Modal"There you are after all this time. Like I've known you forever." (credit:Shannon Leigh Hinman)
(02 of35)
Open Image Modal"Yeah. She's mine." (credit:Mallory Whitt)
(03 of35)
Open Image Modal"'I just love him so much.' Ugly cry and all. Best day ever." (credit:Katherine Prugh)
(04 of35)
Open Image Modal"I was told it was a slim chance of getting pregnant, and if I did, I could miscarry -- so I was nervous my entire pregnancy trying to keep positive yet still prepared for the inevitable. And then when I held her everything became real. It was a truly memorable and beautiful feeling." (credit:Vernee White)
(05 of35)
Open Image Modal"Sh*t just got real!" (credit:Theresa Martinez)
(06 of35)
Open Image Modal"I can't believe he's finally here. I want to snuggle him forever!" (credit:Amanda Joy Brown)
(07 of35)
Open Image Modal"I couldn't wait to see what she looked like! In this moment, I wanted to protect her, guide her, and be her cheerleader for ever through anything." (credit:Courtney Loomis)
(08 of35)
Open Image Modal"We didn't find out if we were having a boy or girl, so my thoughts were, 'It's a boy! And he's perfect. And he's here.' Then I said to him, 'Hey buddy.'" (credit:LK Lancaster)
(09 of35)
Open Image Modal"I had my son at 25 weeks. He was 1 lb 12 oz and 12 inches long. I got to hold him 72 hours after his birth. My first thought was to not cry until after the picture!! My heart was so full of emotion and I was in such awe of my tiny little fighter." (credit:Kristin Goike Jacobs)
(10 of35)
Open Image Modal"I thought to myself how much I unnecessarily worried because of your prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis when you were meant to be exactly who you are-PERFECT! Then I thought 'Get me another piece of chocolate cake.'" (credit:Kim St Andrassy Kann)
(11 of35)
Open Image Modal"'Whose baby is THAT?!' LOL" (credit:Brandy Hays-Morrison)
(12 of35)
Open Image Modal"Joy and triumph! I had just scooped him up onto my chest in this picture -- he hadn't even taken his first breath." (credit:Meredith Rentz Cook)
(13 of35)
Open Image Modal"Oh My God three babies just came out of my belly!!!!!" (credit:Gianna Passacantilli Mullane)
(14 of35)
Open Image Modal"'Give me my damn box of crackers!' (I hadn't eaten all day.)" (credit:Kaitlin Pearl Coghill)
(15 of35)
Open Image Modal"She came out screaming and as soon as they held her to my face and I spoke to her she stopped crying. My thought was 'she knows my voice, and she needs me' My sweet little mama's girl turns two this month." (credit:Rebekah Broughton Chard)
(16 of35)
Open Image Modal"This was about 2 minutes after he was born. All I could think was 'I did it!' Medication free, at home, in the water." (credit:Jennifer Lynn Dalbec)
(17 of35)
Open Image Modal"I stared at this little being; a being that is part of my husband and part of myself and I realized I would never love anything more in the world than this precious boy. The birth was a blur, but when he was laid against my skin, it was as if the world stopped. My life and it's meaning crystal clear." (credit:Megan Stowers)
(18 of35)
Open Image Modal"This is my first baby and my sweet Mama who caught him. She passed away when he was only 3 years old, so I treasure this picture. My son was delivered by the same midwife who delivered me, a full circle moment. I was thinking I was so proud of myself for doing it!" (credit:Sarah L Sells)
(19 of35)
Open Image Modal"I'm about to throw up!" (credit:Bridget Thomas)
(20 of35)
Open Image Modal"He is gorgeous! Today, my PERFECT life starts. Today I am healed and have found my true PURPOSE for this life. He completes me. Oh dear, I'm pooped. Lets get ready to sleep now...then I will confirm/finalize your name." (credit:Michele Yarborough)
(21 of35)
Open Image Modal"Relief! I have an IV in, but there was no time to attach it to anything with this baby - she was born with no meds, or Dr on Easter morning 2011, 2 weeks early, after a 30 minute labor. One of the four best days of my life." (credit:Amanda Ellis Stein)
(22 of35)
Open Image Modal"For once in my life, nothing was going through my mind. I was completely present in a moment in a way I never had been before. If there was noise, I didn't hear it. If someone was talking, I didn't notice. I was just .... There. With him." (credit:Andrea Gillhoolley)
(23 of35)
Open Image Modal"... And then we were 3! Amazing how you can fall in love with someone so little so fast.. A long 3rd trimester in and out of the hospital but we finally got to meet our baby girl right on the day she was supposed to arrive. We love our beautiful princess!" (credit:Aimee Melich)
(24 of35)
Open Image Modal"After 46 hours of labor I was happy to be done and was really calm." (credit:Shabana Waheed)
(25 of35)
Open Image Modal"I was just so overcome with emotion, all I could do was cry. I was so happy to finally hold her, but also sad to know that I wouldn't feel her little kicks from the inside." (credit:Brittany Thompson)
(26 of35)
Open Image Modal"Is she really beautiful, or do I just think that because I'm her mom?" (credit:Taylor Elaine)
(27 of35)
Open Image Modal"Finally able to hold him 24 hours after birth, all I could think was, 'omg he's here and he's awesome!'" (credit:Cortney Hlynosky- Angala)
(28 of35)
Open Image Modal"Relief, triumph, and awe. No words could describe that moment. The love for my baby, my body, and my husband were overwhelming." (credit:Katie Reschny)
(29 of35)
Open Image ModalI was just in disbelief and awe that he was finally in my arms, this little stranger that I'd known all along." (credit:Celena Justine Hebert)
(30 of35)
Open Image Modal"I had an urgent c-section and my thoughts during this photo were that I wanted to make sure my son felt comforted and secure... He had just gone through a lot & was all the sudden in a bright, loud, cold world so I sang to him and told him how brave and awesome he is." (credit:Cari Sue)
(31 of35)
Open Image Modal"My first thought: how can I be THIS lucky?!" (credit:Emily Denton)
(32 of35)
Open Image Modal"The first time I was able to see my 28 weeker born at 1 pound 11 oz. I was able to see him 9 hours after birth. My first thought were how tiny he was and if he was honestly going to live. I'll never forget it. But now he's a happy one year old." (credit:Tabitha Alexandra Pinkham)
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Open Image Modal"Oh sweet baby girl.. How I love you so much..!" (credit:Sarah Shugarts)
(34 of35)
Open Image Modal"So THIS is how I can hold both twins for a photo." (credit:Evalie Jorgensen-Horner)
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Open Image Modal"I thought I could never love my second baby as much as I love my first. I was so wrong!!" (credit:Jill Tiller)