the story of Oden – {St. Louis Family Photographers and NILMDTS}

Oct 27, 2009 | Family Photography, Uncategorized | 49 comments

Meet Oden:
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and his wonderful family:
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They hold a very very special place in my heart. I met Oden a year ago, just after midnight the day after he was born. Oden is a triplet, his brothers are Lucas and Jacob (who were also twins), and I met them that night too. You see, the boys were born at 30.5 weeks, and while that is very good for triplets, Lucas and Jacob had a very rare lung complication and passed away in their parents arms at about 14 hours old. So I had the huge honor of getting to photograph the triplets with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. It was a very special session in so many ways. First, the boys share a birthday with my Thomas Jacob. They were also my very first lead on-my-own session (I’d shadowed several sessions prior). And it was really a type of session you always carry with you. These boys were indescribably beautiful! I cannot imagine going through such mixed emotions, losing 2 sons and grieving that, but also trying to still be there for your surviving son and all that entails an extended NICU stay. This family would often pop in my mind, and I’d wondered how little Oden was doing, so you can imagine my joy when Mom Rachel emailed me! I hadn’t got to meet them that night. She had delivered early in the day and been up the entire time just soaking up every minute she could with the boys, and just couldn’t stay up any longer. So again, they gave Jodie & I the upmost honor of coming into their home and capturing more images of Oden as he turned a year old. And we got to meet his biggest brother, Soren, and their parents Rachel & Michael. I cannot tell you how fabulous it was to see Oden, so big and strong now! But the very best was finally getting to hug Rachel, and remember Lucas & Jacob, and hug some more, and share tears.

So we walked around their fabulous neighborhood some. And got to watch the amazing Soren, at THREE YEARS OLD, hitting just about every pitch thrown his way.. HARD!

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and a lot of just being in awe of this little guy:
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So thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Rachel & Michael & Soren & Oden! It was great to connect with you again and remember Lucas & Jacob!
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49 Comments

  1. Erica
    Erica on October 27, 2009 at 9:55 am

    I cried when I saw the last pic of Oden. He looks so handsome! We have been on the sidelines cheering this family on since the day they told us they were pregnant with trips. The adventure keeps unfolding.

  2. Bette Vandersteen
    Bette Vandersteen on October 27, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Thanks so much for all you have done for Rachel and Michael! The photos you took of the triplets were so precious and the photos you took of their family now are wonderful. Thank you, also, for sharing your memories of the triplets and that difficult night with Rachel and Michael. We appreciated having the opportunity to meet you both, and to watch you do your wonderful work so effortlessly. You have given us all a tremendous gift!

    Bette Vandersteen

  3. mom kuhn
    mom kuhn on October 27, 2009 at 10:29 am

    beautiful family, your strength is amazing.

  4. Chad Johnson
    Chad Johnson on October 27, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    What amazing pictures!! What a great familY. Oden is getting so big..Love you guys!

  5. Cherie McCoy
    Cherie McCoy on October 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    B-E-A-U-tiful pics! And the story…how touching. My prayers and love are with this family. May God bless you all with many, many, many more triumphs! Hey Rachel girl! It’s me Cherie McCoy (Marquis’ wife). You guys look FABULOUS!

  6. viv nelson
    viv nelson on October 27, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    What great, wonderful pictures of your beautiful family. Great reflections of your precious boys. Viv Nelson

  7. Linda Collins
    Linda Collins on October 27, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    These are wonderful pictures – all of them, but my favorite is the one of the family. It just couldn’t be a better picture. And look at those eyelashes Oden has!!

  8. Bob Sharma
    Bob Sharma on October 27, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    God Bless. Perfect little Angels.

  9. TJ Redmond
    TJ Redmond on October 27, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Photo #6

  10. Martha Kemper
    Martha Kemper on October 27, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    LOVE #6!!!!!

  11. Bethany Schwartz
    Bethany Schwartz on October 28, 2009 at 4:09 am

    photo #6

  12. Becky
    Becky on October 28, 2009 at 4:46 am

    4 – Jack and Finn

  13. B.J. Smith
    B.J. Smith on October 28, 2009 at 5:37 am

    #6 clearly

  14. joan
    joan on October 28, 2009 at 5:43 am

    I love your picture Maggie (#6) you are so relaxed and happy .

    Love and lots of luck ~ Joan K

  15. MP Gallagher
    MP Gallagher on October 28, 2009 at 5:53 am

    Photo # 6 Maggie

  16. Kris Mispagel
    Kris Mispagel on October 28, 2009 at 5:58 am

    Photo #6

  17. Susan Smith
    Susan Smith on October 28, 2009 at 7:23 am

    I vote for photo #6 … great picture!

  18. Chris Lilly
    Chris Lilly on October 28, 2009 at 7:30 am

    Photo #6

  19. Jane Hill
    Jane Hill on October 28, 2009 at 7:46 am

    I vote for Maggie #6

  20. Dan Droska
    Dan Droska on October 28, 2009 at 8:03 am

    PHOTO #6

  21. jen ziegler
    jen ziegler on October 28, 2009 at 8:06 am

    #6

  22. to
    to on October 28, 2009 at 8:12 am

    Photo #6

  23. Catherine
    Catherine on October 28, 2009 at 8:30 am

    I would like to vote for photo 6.

  24. Kris Hansford
    Kris Hansford on October 28, 2009 at 8:44 am

    My vote is for #6

  25. George Hansford
    George Hansford on October 28, 2009 at 8:50 am

    #6

  26. Gregory Pantukhoff
    Gregory Pantukhoff on October 28, 2009 at 8:50 am

    #6

  27. Jeni Couch
    Jeni Couch on October 28, 2009 at 8:51 am

    #6

  28. Cathy Gahr
    Cathy Gahr on October 28, 2009 at 8:51 am

    #6

  29. Kim Staebel
    Kim Staebel on October 28, 2009 at 8:52 am

    #6

  30. Missy Fish
    Missy Fish on October 28, 2009 at 8:52 am

    I love #6

  31. Lynn
    Lynn on October 28, 2009 at 9:00 am

    #2 The Kreidler Family I love when precious moments like this are caught!

  32. Laura Reycraft
    Laura Reycraft on October 28, 2009 at 9:24 am

    photo #6

  33. Jonathan Reycraft
    Jonathan Reycraft on October 28, 2009 at 9:24 am

    photo #4

  34. Matt C.
    Matt C. on October 28, 2009 at 9:32 am

    No. 6!!!

  35. Deb Renick
    Deb Renick on October 28, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Photo #6

  36. Nancy & Stuart lindley
    Nancy & Stuart lindley on October 28, 2009 at 9:38 am

    Voting for Photo #6

  37. Kathy
    Kathy on October 28, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Photo #6 Is absolutely beautiful

  38. Mueriel Carp
    Mueriel Carp on October 28, 2009 at 9:54 am

    I vote for #6

  39. Brian Cohen
    Brian Cohen on October 28, 2009 at 10:07 am

    #6 is the the best!

  40. Lisa Bapst
    Lisa Bapst on October 28, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Number 2 is my favorite!

  41. Susan Kreidler Schrum
    Susan Kreidler Schrum on October 28, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I vote for #2 the Kreidler Family

  42. Jon Clark
    Jon Clark on October 28, 2009 at 11:20 am

    I vote for #12.

  43. cheryl
    cheryl on October 28, 2009 at 11:37 am

    I would like #2 to win!!!!

  44. Kathy Kreidler
    Kathy Kreidler on October 28, 2009 at 11:49 am

    #2
    The photos are all great, but #2 is the best.

  45. Trulie Simpson
    Trulie Simpson on October 28, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    I vote for #4 Jack & Finn…adorable!!

  46. Jennifer Brown
    Jennifer Brown on October 28, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    #7 The John’s Family:)

  47. Tom Kreidler
    Tom Kreidler on October 28, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Number 2

  48. Shayna Mangers
    Shayna Mangers on October 28, 2009 at 10:16 pm

    Vote for #12–Phoebe

  49. james mcgauley
    james mcgauley on October 28, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    photo no. 6 maggie is best