You may remember this family from their outside family maternity session earlier this summer. Kate is my best friend that I’ve known since she was born and we both met Jordan when we attended Penn State. Their third baby boy, Max, was born in August. Ben and I drove over to PA to meet Max and photograph an at home Williamsport newborn session.

Not only were we all excited to meet Max when he was born, but Max had been diagnosed early on with a cleft lip, maybe a cleft palate. Kate and Jordan did everything they could to prepare for Max’s arrival and his cleft palate by finding the best hospital for him to be born in that was nearby and the best hospital for them that would be able to care for his condition. His care was unknown since the doctors didn’t know what the severity of the cleft palate would be and the care he would need until Max was born and they could see how his palate had developed.

Max was born with a cleft palate and cleft lip, thankfully it was only on one side of his nose so he hasn’t had any breathing or eating problems. That alone was an answered prayer!

I love this picture! Max didn’t open his eyes too much during his at home Williamsport newborn session, just enough to check out what his parents were up to and why we were moving him around so much.

Max’s big brothers love him so much and love to be around him. Kate is officially a boy mom with three boys!

Max’s nursery is so cute! It’s simple, but perfect for a baby boy! I especially loved this color blocked, striped rug.

Look at that little smile! He was giving us smiles and yawns while he slept, it was adorable!

I love capturing all the little details of newborns, their little ears, nose, lips, hands, fingers, feet,  and toes 🙂  They don’t stay little for long!

I can’t decide if Max’s feet or yawn are cuter!

Tomorrow Max will have his first surgery at 11 weeks old. The surgery will make his cleft palate a complete one so that it can begin the process of bring his lip and nostril together. Prayers would definitely be appreciated for the surgery to go well and for his recovery to go as smooth as possible as his family cares for him.