Paper & Fox Birth Stories

09/08/2025

We only have a few more days to nominate yall. I am honored to have so many nominating me. It honestly is my mission to make a difference and put a smile on atleast one persons face a day. Between planting 9,000 trees through my business to my volunteer work with now I lay me down and even bringing awareness through shoots on the tough topics. I just want my legacy to be known as she made a difference. That’s all. And there are so many more deserving of this than me but it is such an amazing feeling knowing I have made a difference in some peoples lives enough to nominate me.

Do you know a woman who inspires others, leads with courage, and makes a lasting impact in the Sylacauga area? Now is the time to recognize her!

The Greater Sylacauga Area Woman of the Year award celebrates women who go above and beyond for their families, businesses, and community. We are currently accepting nominations, and we’d love for you to share the story of a woman who deserves this honor. The winner is announced at the conclusion of the connectHER Women's Conference on Friday, October 24.

Nominations are open now through September 12, 2025.
Submit your nomination here: https://shorturl.at/GSwNl

Let’s lift up the incredible women who make our community stronger every day!

06/03/2025

I absolutely hate making this post.
7 years as a birth photographer
5 as a licensed doula
And almost done with my midwife

This will be my last year taking births.

Many of you know my health situation and they are pushing for disability as well but for those who are not familiar I am in end stage heart failure. My heart function is less than 10 percent and output is less than 1.9 which is dangerously low. I’m depending on walking aids to walk and we have a lot of serious conversations to be discussed for my future, we are unsure of timing but things are looking like I will be needing a transplant within the next few years IF my heart is strong enough to withgo surgery.

I absolutely am devastated at having to step away from birth. It is my truest passion and I have debated on how to even share this news.

I am so thankful for all the wonderful clients and stories I have told. And thankful to be able to tell a few more before having to stop.

03/14/2025

With the deep need of volunteers for this amazing program I have reactivated my account and am now back as an affiliated photographer for now I lay me down to sleep.
✨❤️

I may be contacted through this company for photos but i also am available as a licensed bereavement doula and am available for birth photography and/or bereavement doula services in these cases at absolutely no cost as well. If you are interested in birth photography or my doula services for these sweet angels please contact me directly as NILMDTS does strictly in hospital newborn sessions.

10/17/2024

08/02/2024

Blessed are the births

of those who trust life,

of those who trust the babies,

of those who trust themselves.



Blessed are the births

of those who are willing to stand

at the precipice of life,

acknowledging our vulnerability,

and the uncertainty of tomorrow.



Blessed are those that stand at the edge.

Blessed are those that call out to the universe

in celebration

and wonder

despite the fear of falling.



We embrace the edge with arms outstretched.

From here,

we see out to the horizon of possibility.



A strong gust of wind could knock us off balance,

or

our feet

firmly planted

can hold us in place

facing the truth.



Blessed are the births

of those who trust life,

of those who trust the lessons,

of those who trust within.



Blessed are the births

of those who stand together

of those who are willing to stand alone

of those who call birth: peace

and hope

and love.



Blessed are the births.

I am so honored to have been asked to tell this amazing birth story. And welcome Earthside little one.

07/02/2024

This is a story of strength despite odds.
Rarely will a birth plan go as planned but sometimes things work out exactly how God plans.

This is a story of how mom’s water broke at midnight before her induction date.

How she was told she advanced so quickly in labor she would not be able to receive an epidural and while in that moment she repeated to me how she could not do this……and she did. Like a warrior she did.

Strength is in every scream singing songs of women who have been in the same situation for centuries.

Strength is in the marks left behind on dad’s arm from your fingernails like poetry unwritten.

Strength is in every push like a dance waiting for the finale.

For all around the world in that very moment women are finding their own strength with you. Hand in hand.

And right as the sun rose mom let out one last scream and you were here.

All of that power and strength turned to love in the form of words as she cried out I just had a baby. I did it. And she reached for you. Not a single eye in the room was dry. We knew you could do it girl. You discovered your own power.

You are perfect in every way little one and you are born from love and power.

Welcome Earthside little Taytum.

It is so nice to finally meet you. ❤️

05/15/2024

Welcome Earthside sweet baby boy.

Your mom and dad have been waiting for what feels like forever to meet you.

There is so much love, laughter, smiles and tears in this story and I am so honored to have been asked to tell it.

These images speak for themselves honestly as I sit here trying to figure out what to say.

Each image tells a small portion of what has become such a beautiful story.

We are so happy to meet you sweet one.

12/25/2023

12/20/2023

As I began to write this letter, I realized that the words that flowed out of my heart were less of a message you would share with your rainbow baby girl and more of a letter to mom. A “dear diary” entry, if you will. I had no idea how much I needed to document the journey that led to the birth of this beautiful baby girl. A journey that may be familiar to other moms.

Dear baby girl,

You may not be my rainbow baby…but you are my rainbow baby girl. Oh how you were prayed for and are so very loved. You are the healer of my heart. You have the best big brother and siblings in the entire world and yet something was still missing..you my darling girl. I was still desperately waiting for you.

The excitement and pure joy your brother has brought filled my heart like I never knew could be possible however the memory of your sweet sister will always be there. Oh how she would have loved getting to meet him and play together, and getting to meet you as well. I buried the seed of my dream for you so deep down that I did not know it was there. Although I seemed to have given up hope, hope never gave up on me.

Years of pain and grief slipped away when the doctors told me you were okay. Your very existence filled the holes in my heart created by loss and longing.

You have your sister’s nose and eyes and I know you were chosen especially by her in heaven to be here with us.

You may not be my rainbow baby but you are still my rainbow baby girl.

With so much love,

Mom

Welcome Earthside Eliza Ruth.

It has been such an honor to have been alongside for each of your births and an honor to tell each one of their stories.

08/12/2023

This is the story of love, pain, tears, power, support and strength.

This is the story of Jesiah Kamari.

Welcome earthside little one.

I received the phone call that moms water had broken at 1:30am and sprang into action. It had been storming all night and continued until day break.

When arriving to the hospital I noticed the huge amount of moms and new little ones that had recently been delivered and many were still awaiting the arrival of their little ones. the storms brought in a storm of new life as the hospital staff said.

Mom was in the exam room of L&D awaiting a room to become available and she was very adimant on her wishes to deliver natural with no epidural or pain medication interference.

I held your hand as your contractions grew stronger and watched as dad stood by your side supporting you in so much love and strength. With each contraction you would only gain more strength as you calmly breathed through them and took a few short lived naps between. I joked with the nurse on how I guessed your little one would be born around 5:20 and while you never can be completely sure I remained positive that your little one would be here to witness the gorgeous sunrise.

Within a few short hours it was go time, you were complete and ready to push. We rushed to remove chairs and baggage from the tiny room to make way for the warming station and medical table all while helping coach you through pushing.

Your mom held your hand so tightly and brushed your hair from your face while dad gave affirmations of how strong you are and how amazing you were doing. We all reassured you even when you exclaimed how you couldn’t do this any longer that yes you can girl. And you did. You did it! All on your own time allowing your body to contract baby down. All while using the pain to fuel your strength. You did so without any interference and only guidance from us.

You brought your son earthside right in time for the sunrise. That beautiful sunrise after the storm.

You did it!

This story is one of pure power and I truly hope the magnitude of strength shows through these images. Birth truly does empower women.

05/14/2023

A prayer for this new life.

by Danelia Wild

May she know the welcome of open arms and hearts.

May she know she is loved by many and by one.

May she know the circle of friendship that gives
and receives love in all its forms.

May she know and be known in the heart of another.

May she know the heart that is this earth.

May she reach for the stars and call it home.

And in the end may she find everything in her heart.

and her heart in everything.

Everything about this birth was pure magic and the most precious Mothersday gift.

Welcome earthside baby girl.

05/10/2023

Welcome to the world little one.

This story is filled with so much emotion.
From laughter and joy.
To pain and power.
To excitement and tons of tears.

This momma did not have the birth she intended to have and because you little one were so ready to meet the world she showed her true power through an unmedicated birth.

She had a full team of nurses by her side holding her hand, helping her breathe, and grunting in power with her through each contraction.

You were so ready it only took a few pushes and you were here…wide eyed and full of so much joy.

You reached out for momma and wouldn’t let go.

It wasn’t too long until you got to meet your big sister who was overjoyed to finally see your face as well as the rest of the family.

I could honestly speak on the power of this birth for hours but I will let the images speak for themselves because after all an image can say a thousand words.

Welcome earthside little Owen! We are just as happy to meet you as you are to meet us. ❤️✨