Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Apple Hill: The Prequel

Hollywood loves prequels. Roscoe's story has been a tearjerker full of plot twists, a charismatic hero, and comedic relief, so it is only fitting that his story end with a "prequel" view of what happened before the blog began. Alisha was rushed into the hospital after our ultrasound checkup on September 17th, 2013 and I consequently began this blog a few days later. However, something special occurred a few days prior on September 14th and it hasn't been fully revealed until now.

Alisha is a photographer (www.alishahurt.com) who specializes in pictures of children and families. However, on September 14th she took her own maternity pictures at Apple Hill. Alisha has impressed me in many ways, but you won't find many women who take their own maternity pictures outside of a bathroom mirror. Since it was nearing fall weather and we were unsure when she'd be checked into the hospital, we drove up to Apple Hill early in the morning to catch the sunrise.

We had a few props with us, gathered some fallen apples, and picked out locations where we'd take her pictures. To get the camera settings correct for the lighting conditions, Alisha would have me stand in the spot where she planned to be so she'd have something to focus on. Of course I had to make myself an accurate of a representation of a pregnant woman:

Then she would switch spots with me and I'd snap the picture using the settings, position, and zoom distance that she'd decided upon:

The rest of her maternity pictures can be seen below. Her belly wasn't as big as most (she was 25.5 weeks at the time) but this was the best we could get of a skinny girl with a tiny baby. She was admitted to the hospital just 3 days later:








This day was the genesis of Roscoe's story. The tiny baby in her belly (at the time he was only 13.8oz) would go on to be born, grow, and live a triumphant life seen by people around the world before returning to God.


Tomorrow I will post my last blog entry, which will be a summarization of all that's happened for anyone who stumbles across this blog in the future. I will miss writing these blog posts, because I felt like I got to experience such a special situation from a perspective that no one else had, like a reporter who is trapped inside a bank while a robbery takes place.

I told Alisha last night that the journey of writing this story as it unfolded has been something that I enjoyed thoroughly and that I can never experience in the same way again. Even if we had a second baby with the exact same problems, it would not be the same. Roscoe was the right baby, given to the right parents, at the right time. We love him dearly (and always will) and I feel honored that God chose us to tell his story.

18 comments:

  1. Wow, Alisha is so talented to be able to set up, compose, and take her own maternity pictures! These are beautiful shots, so unique, just like all three of you. The test shot of you is hilarious! Thank you again for sharing Roscoe, your thoughts and feelings throughout his story, and all of these precious moments. He will always be in our hearts.

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  2. These are so beautiful. (Yep, even your "maternity" picture, Shaun.)
    I love you guys!

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  3. I forgot to say...my personal favorite is the black and white apple-picking picture. They are all great, but that one is particularly beautiful.
    Thank you so much for sharing these!

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  4. I can't imagine what a beautiful place this earth would be if there were more people like you and your wife. While the mysteries of God will forever perplex me, Roscoes story will forever humble me and put things in perspective. Thank you for sharing your faith , your love and your beautiful baby boy, that will love forever in our hearts.

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  5. These are all beautiful. She looks perfect. Seeing these reminds me of an article I read once, similar to this one: http://lauragraceweldon.com/2012/06/12/mother-child-are-linked-at-the-cellular-level/

    She calls this science that transcends the beauty of poetry, but we know its just an amazing detail of God's design. She will always carry a part of him. I will miss reading your posts.

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  6. Thank you, Shaun and Alisha, for everything you've shared. It's been humbling to experience such an intimate, loving journey with you. I'll keep praying for your continued healing and strength, and will look forward to meeting your little guy in Heaven one day.

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  7. Beautiful, Alisha. You are both so suited for one another as helpmates. God gives good gifts.
    The photo of Alisha on the step ladder picking apples reminds me if the carol "the cherry tree" about interaction between Mary, Joseph & the Father of the Son. I love Peter, Paul & Mary's version.
    Shaun, by writing your blog, you invited readers into your lives as witnesses of a private & very personal world. As readers, we invited you three & all the incidental characters into our hearts as family. Our lives are changed simply for what we read & saw because now we love. Love changes everything. Thank you.

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  8. I am SO excited that we got to see the photos!! I have been wanting to see them since you took them, but I didn't want to ask! They are absolutely beautiful like I knew they would be!! Love you three SO much!!

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  9. Beautiful pictures!! Also I love her dress!

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  10. Beautiful! The people, the pictures, and the telling of the story.

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  11. We'll miss reading this blog. We miss and love Roscoe dearly. And I hope you know these are not just words. Our feelings come from the bottom of our hearts. Keep praying for you.
    Very beautiful and touching pictures.

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  12. Love the pictures! You look beautiful Alisha and Shaun you have done well shedding your pregnancy weight. I see sassy Alisha in some and sweet Alisha in others but they all make me want some apple donuts!
    Thank you for sharing so much of Roscoe with us in the past months. 
    As bystanders to Roscoe's story, you let us enjoy his bright eyes, engaging smiles, and beautiful spirit. In turn, we drew closer to God and are changed forever. 
    Thank you. 

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  13. Alisha looks so beautiful in these pictures. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. Love you guys.

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  14. Your blog and Roscoe's story has touched many lives in ways you will never know. May God bless you and your beautiful wife.

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