I’m Rachel Greiman, a Philadelphia family photographer. I own, operate, manage, live and breathe Green Chair Stories. It’s my first baby. My less expensive, but not as cute baby.
I was living in Kenya when Micaiah texted me:
“So … I have some news.”
The photo that followed was an ultrasound with an A and a B.
“MICAIAH ARE YOU HAVING TWINS?!”
She sure was. Identical ones, to be exact. My mind was blown at the thought of my tiniest friend carrying two babies in her little torso. Mine wasn’t blown quite as much as hers though. She was processing all the info slowly. She was both excited and overwhelmed. I was just so, so happy for her.
Plot twist: just that afternoon, I had sneakily bought a couple pregnancy tests because I was suspicious. Basically, my boobs really hurt. I didn’t even tell Trav I bought the tests. I wasn’t even planning on taking them for several days because I didn’t even think I was pregnant enough to know. But when Micaiah texted me her news, I had to find out. I was pregnant and instantly terrified I was having twins too.
Micaiah’s pregnancy was neither easy or stress-free. She went to the doctor. A LOT. It was a high-risk situation with plenty of scary and hard days. She would say that she didn’t handle this well but I whole-heartedly disagree. She met each challenge with honesty and prayer. What more can you do?! I was continually impressed with her strength and vulnerability throughout this process. She fought for understanding at every appointment, for support through each ultrasound.
She walked into motherhood with a healthy dose of fear and determination and over a year later, she’s owning this like.a.boss. She schedules her life flawlessly, working full-time and giving these boys the most loving care both while she’s at home and work. She sacrifices for them and loves them so hard. She has been an inspiration to me as I do this whole new mom thing. Every time I want to complain I think, “There could be two. Micaiah does this with two.” And honestly? She makes it look easy.
(Oh, also, her husband Geno is amazing too but this is about Micaiah because it’s my blog and she grew twins. Sorry Geno, love ya!)
I took these photos just a few weeks after they came home from the NICU. They were settling into life as a family of 4 and I was 100 years pregnant myself. It was encouraging and humbling to spend the evening with them. When I’m in the home of a new mom, I’m walking on sacred ground. It’s a privilege.
Thanks for inviting me into such a tender space guys. And thanks for being such great parents. You give me hope for the rest of us. Emerson and Beckham are lucky to have you both.
