Monique planned a baby moon to Costa Rica in three days. Three days. She and Dalton packed their bags, kissed their two kids goodbye, and left them with grandma. The town they stayed in was called Sámara. They kept it a secret for months only close family and friends knew.
They didn’t even know if the baby was a boy or a girl and love keeping secrets, and this one felt extra special. When their baby girl arrived, the name fit her perfectly. Sámara. It was always hers. As a Huntington Beach Photographer I’m inspired to visit Costa Rica and add it to my bucket list.
Her birth story carries that same quiet strength. After a successful hospital VBAC before, Monique chose to have Sámara at home. She labored for 34 hours after her water broke. She meditated at the beach. She stayed calm and steady. She says it was her easiest baby to bring into the world, with no complications. There is something powerful about a mother who trusts her body like that. You can feel it in the way she holds her daughter now.
The older kids were convinced the baby was a boy the entire pregnancy. They called the baby “Elmo” for months. They talked to Elmo and imagined Elmo. When Sámara was born and turned out to be a girl, there was a tiny bit of disappointment. It is the sweetest reminder that siblings have their own dreams too.
Monique shared that one of the best parts of this season is getting to do the newborn stage again, but this time fully present. She is taking postpartum slow. She is soaking it in.
Monique said what surprised her most about parenthood is how much their kids depend on their love. It is steady love. The kind that shows up every single day.
There is also something beautiful about their simple traditions. Craving sushi all through pregnancy. Whispering a secret name to each other for months. Sitting by the ocean while waiting for a baby to arrive. These are the details that shape a family story.
Monique and Dalton, thank you for inviting me into this chapter. Thank you for trusting me with your brand new girl and your beautiful story. Sámara is surrounded by so much care and intention.
If you are in the middle of newborn days, or waiting for your baby to arrive, slow down enough to notice the small things. The nicknames. The cravings. The way your family gathers around someone new. These are the moments that stay with you long after the days feel blurry. They are worth remembering.
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