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This is Noah. I love him more than life itself.
Tag Archives: Noah
November 2006.
It was raining the night Noah was born. In a country in the middle of its worst drought in a 1000 years, the skies opened and drenched Melbourne in water. In the birth suite I could hear the rain pounding the windows with a rage I’ve never felt before. Of course there would be a flood the night Noah was born. The symbolism escaped no one. It was also obvious he had no plans to come out. It didn’t matter what we did, no creams or drips would force this little man to enter the stage this cold and rainy morning.
I had put a CD together with music both Jac and I love and for every time it went on repeat, I could see the doctors getting more and more concerned. To make matters worse, the whole room smelled of lavender, roses and lemon because of an oil burner a friend of ours had given us. On a heart monitor we could see Noah’s pulse go up and down because of all the drugs the doctors gave Jacqui.
The world smelled of lavender, roses and lemon.
And the rain kept falling.
The contractions got worse and worse, but Noah just wouldn’t budge. To the sounds of “It must be love”, I heard Jac whimper quietly, when the next song started she passed out.
It was an odd mix.
1. Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois – Sufjan Stevens
2. Scythian Empire – Andrew Bird
3. Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
4. Fruit Tree – Nick Drake
5. Breathe – Alexi Murdoch
6. It must be love – Madness
7. Sister Winter – Sufjan Stevens
8. Odi et Amo – Johann Johannsson
9. Here’s to the future – Ken Stringfellow
10. Svefn G Englar – Sigur Ros
11. Hymn For Her – The Magic Numbers
12. Casmir Pulaski Day – Sufjan Stevens
13. Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
And just like everything else that night made perfect sense, Noah was born to a song I’ve always loved. After 24 hours in hospital the midwife told Jacqui to push. After two quick ones, and less than ten minutes, our son popped out to the sounds of the most beautiful ukulele in the world. It was seven in the morning. As I looked out the window, the rain suddenly stopped, the sun appeared behind heavy clouds and I called my family in Sweden.
Noah is born.
The sun is shining.
It’s a wonderful world.
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show 31 comments
July 20, 2010 - 11:43 am
Congrats, Jonas! Can’t wait to see pics!
July 20, 2010 - 11:44 am
screw photos, I wish I could write like you, man.
July 20, 2010 - 11:45 am
This was 3.5 years ago, but thanks :)
July 20, 2010 - 2:11 pm
thanks for posting this memory.
July 20, 2010 - 2:34 pm
I love that song, too. Such a beautiful way to remember your son’s birth.
July 20, 2010 - 4:43 pm
Love that song too;) Birth is magic.
July 20, 2010 - 5:14 pm
Beautiful sir… Thank you for sharing. Thank you too for stimulating the replay of my family’s birth story.
July 20, 2010 - 6:08 pm
Good morning to you too! :)
Thanks for sharing this great playlist. It’s time now to search and read about this new bands.
July 20, 2010 - 6:12 pm
Kind of puts things into perspective when you experience something as amazing as this. It is indeed a wonderful world and we are pretty lucky guys.
July 20, 2010 - 6:39 pm
Thanks for sharing this story.
It was very similar to me giving birth to my first born. He did not want to be born, too comfy on the inside. We woke him up by giving birth. And you know what? My son loves the rain. The more rain the better, he has to go out and dance. Still now at the age of 11. Love it!
Ready now to search the other songs on your list.
July 20, 2010 - 9:56 pm
Yes, it’s a wonderful world:)
July 21, 2010 - 12:25 am
Vilken vacker historia. Sitter på mitt jobb och har haft en helvetiskt stressig dag,är precis på väg hem och avslutar dagen med din vackra berättelse. Tack.
July 21, 2010 - 5:17 am
This is absolutely lovely.
July 21, 2010 - 7:26 am
so dang beautiful.
July 21, 2010 - 7:27 am
I am in my sixties. I love the time I spend with your boys Noah & Joel because it reminds me what a wonderful world it really is. We find joy in things like rolling in the grass and looking up at the clouds; playing “hop scotch” on one leg; or just enjoying licking an ice-cream in a cone together. Pure joy!
July 21, 2010 - 10:02 am
Your CD is a lot like my snowy day mix (which I listen to on snowy days..! with a mug of hot chocolate and a big blanket), only I’ve got a bit of Bjork and Antony and the Johnsons on there too.
I enjoy making soundtracks, music is particularly good at capturing a moment. Aural photographs, snapshots of memories.
July 21, 2010 - 11:07 am
Such a beautiful read. Thanks for uplifting my day, that was really special.
July 21, 2010 - 11:09 am
Awww, congratulations!
July 21, 2010 - 11:10 am
Hope to see pictures of Noah soon :)
July 22, 2010 - 6:43 am
So touching, so beautifully written.
July 22, 2010 - 2:59 pm
jonas, write a book. about anything. i’ll buy it.
July 23, 2010 - 5:10 am
Can I ask you how did you add the player to your blog? Thanks. Kat
July 23, 2010 - 5:30 am
“It must be love” is our planned first dance. =)
July 27, 2010 - 1:50 am
perfect! having a son named Noah, this hit home for me, too. I love that song, used to live in Hawaii…where “bruddah Iz” is extremely popular. Great story, Jonas. thanks for sharing!
July 27, 2010 - 2:28 pm
one of my favorite songs too – and i heard it for the first time in years just this weekend. funny. thanks for sharing the playlist :)
July 27, 2010 - 9:25 pm
Your talent and candor have once again inspired chill bumps! Just like your images do. You have a knack for making outsiders seem like we’ve snuck in to your world uninvited. I’ll take a glimpse of beauty any day.
August 5, 2010 - 4:48 am
när jag lyssnar på musiken efter att ha läst din text så får jag tårar i ögonen. Jag lyssnade inte på musik under min två förlossningar men jag förstår så väl din känsla…låten passar så fint in
August 6, 2010 - 2:25 pm
Jonas, many heartfelt congratulations! Beautiful story, I’ll build that playlist and think of rain and birth in a dry country.
Cheers,
Reathel
August 6, 2010 - 2:27 pm
Ok, after reading a bit more carefully I see this was a while back, no change in my feelings though.
Cheers,
Reathel
August 18, 2010 - 10:23 pm
Thank you for sharing that lifechanging moment, Jonas. I feel the same way about that song by Israel K. It was actually performed by my brother and father in law at our wedding two months ago. It was truly undescribeable (at least for me who, unlike you, don’t have the ability of writing).
August 20, 2010 - 1:55 pm
Jonas, thanks for sharing such a wonderful memory! Your sons Birth is such a lovely reflection of what children are. They are a challenge, a worry, a concern and the absolute brightest and most beautiful thing our lives. I hope you are enjoying your now Toddler! *and he couldn’t have picked a better song to come into this world to…*
Noah likes my iPhone. He presses the buttons, calls people, erases my apps and creates havoc in my calendar. If you get a call early in the morning and hear someone panting heavily, it’s most likely Noah. I can promise you it’s not me. Well, the other day I downloaded an auto-tune app called “I am T-Pain”, but I never had a chance to play with it then. I have no idea how Noah figured out how to use it, but when I picked up my phone from the floor this morning, I noticed the app was open. This is what he recorded:
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Possibly the cutest thing ever.
show 29 comments
October 1, 2009 - 1:55 pm
haha! that’s so cute :)
October 1, 2009 - 1:56 pm
Oh my GOD! That is to cute! My son Logan won’t leave my iPhone alone either. I have had to download tons of dinosaur apps and he adores the Pocket God game
October 1, 2009 - 2:25 pm
Oy, that’s adorable! So funny : )
October 1, 2009 - 4:53 pm
lovely picture and lovely song!
October 1, 2009 - 5:09 pm
this photo is gorgeous!i love how noah’s red hair sticks out against the white!
October 1, 2009 - 5:40 pm
what a cutie!
October 1, 2009 - 7:31 pm
gud så sött!! jag avlider nästan och vill ha en iphone på kuppen!! <3 (har vägrat iphone hur länge som helst)
October 1, 2009 - 9:22 pm
oh that is so cute-but the photo is what really stopped me dead in my tracks. Just wonderful.
October 1, 2009 - 9:27 pm
Just listened to it three more times and giggled harder each time-thanks for sharing!
October 2, 2009 - 10:11 am
I think that HAIR is the cutest thing ever! Gorgeous!
October 2, 2009 - 2:30 pm
Oh man, I have had an emotional day and that just tipped me over the edge! Made me cry just cos it is so cute. Photo is gorgeous too.
October 3, 2009 - 3:43 am
Ooh! Itsy bitsy spider…how cute! :)
October 3, 2009 - 7:19 am
What a sweet recording! Little ones seem to have no trouble figuring those apps, so cute.
October 4, 2009 - 5:44 am
That is so tremendously cute! Just smiling from ear to ear right now.
October 4, 2009 - 7:21 am
Love this picture!
October 4, 2009 - 9:10 pm
we miss you Noah…and we love that song too. love cynthia and elena.
October 6, 2009 - 2:23 pm
This is basically the most amazing thing that I’ve ever heard.
October 10, 2009 - 2:48 am
Who needs T-Pain? Your kid is a genius! That’s gonna be on the Billboard top ten – at least top ten!
SOOO cute…
October 10, 2009 - 9:39 am
[...] Itsy-bitsy spider. [...]
October 12, 2009 - 5:54 pm
Hej Jonas! Hittade hit via Heja Abbe. Underbara bilder du tar. Ska lägga till dig i bloggar jag följer, har en väninna som bor i Brisbane (vem vet, hon kanske anlitar dig någon dag *ler*).
Den här bilden är helt sagolik. Ska bli kul att gå tillbaka i historiken och kika!
October 16, 2009 - 6:53 am
Oh-My-God. I want that app… unfortunately my dog doesn’t speak and I don’t think I’ll sound nearly as cute as your kiddo. And this picture of him…. be.a.u.ti.ful.
October 16, 2009 - 7:47 pm
absolutely adorable!
October 17, 2009 - 1:12 am
That pic is AWESOME! What great hair. The audio file is cute.
October 19, 2009 - 9:43 pm
That is excruciatingly adorable! And the photo? Completely amazing.
October 20, 2009 - 8:56 am
Aww… so cute! And that hair! He reminds me of Chuckie from Rugrats. :)
October 22, 2009 - 4:00 pm
LOL i just melted into a giant puddle… that is TOO CUTE!
October 31, 2009 - 10:40 pm
OMG, That is so adorable! I had to play it a few times because it is soooo cute!
November 3, 2009 - 9:54 am
How precious!
December 10, 2009 - 12:22 am
sooooooo incredibly cute! I’ve listened to it quite a few times and can’t stop smiling ;)
We’ve had to organize a boob intervention. Our youngest boy, Joel, won’t give up the breast and it’s been hell for pretty much the whole family. He doesn’t sleep through the night, which means Jac doesn’t sleep, which means I wake up to the Cranky House of Horrors. Every day a new sequel. Today showing – Cranky House of Horrors 9: The Revenge of the Fat Milk Sucking Baby.
Hence the boob intervention.
We’ve read the books, talked to the right people, mingled with the breast-knowing crowd. Apparently you just feed him from a bottle instead.
- No more boobie for you young squire, here’s a cold plastic bottle with water and fake milk powder instead. Mmmm, eat it. Do it. Do it. DOOOOOO IT!
Do you think he did? I know I wouldn’t. So yesterday we decided it was time for some real firmness. No more sequels to this franchise of craptastic horror movies, not even straight to dvd. Let’s finish this sucker! Literally.
Starting yesterday morning we refused to feed him anything else than the bottle. Joel decided that sure, fine, you try and play that game, I’ll just hold out. So he did. All day and all night. He didn’t eat anything. By dinner time he was angry, hungry and tired - a lethal combo. I was stuck with trying to settle him since he apparently can smell the breast milk if Jacqui does it. That milk sounds worse than any crack in the world to me.
Operation Pat the Bub commenced at 1900 hours last night.
The plan of attack was simple. Baby wakes up. Try to feed him from the bottle. If that doesn’t work, put him to sleep by patting his bottom. So I did that. Every 30 minutes or so he’d wake up more pissed than before. But we stuck to the plan. We had to. At 3 am (that’s 0300 hours to you, staff sergeant), he finally took the bottle. Jac and Noah was in another room so this victory was celebrated by a tired dad in the dark. An hour later Joel woke up again, wanting the breast. He was fed, but still wanted a boob fix. I hear you, son, but nuh-uh, no more. So sergeant Patty Pat has been working all night, man, he’s been busy.
But we made it.
Jac came in and picked him up earlier. Fed him some Farex and baby yoghurt. He ate it all. She said she’d never seen anything like it. It was like watching Kirstie Alley at an all you can eat Pig-a-thon.
He’s asleep now. For the first time in 24 hours I can hear him happily snoozing away in the cot next to me.
Five minutes ago, my other boy, Noah walked in. He had drawn something for me. He said it was me and I wasn’t going to argue. He leaned in and hugged me hard.
- Happy Father’s Day, Pappa!
Indeed it is, son, indeed it is, I though to myself.
In fact, every day is.
(don’t worry, this is an old photo)
show 13 comments
September 6, 2009 - 10:39 am
Happy Fathers Day Jonas! sounds like a lovely fathers day to me (even if looks are deceiving on first glance)…especially with that photo!
September 6, 2009 - 2:36 pm
Happy Father’s Day indeed. Raising boys is not easy, and there are many sleepless nights, but each one is so worth it. Having sons has humbled me in so many ways. Moreover, it has brought me greater joy than I could have ever imagined. Enjoy your (every) day. :-)
September 6, 2009 - 3:16 pm
aaaaaaaaaaaaaamen.
i didn’t even try with the first one. nursed till over 2.5 years. next time not sure i will have the patience to hold out so long… i’ll keep this in mind :) and happy father’s day!
September 6, 2009 - 10:11 pm
That´s a wonderful text, Jonas.
September 7, 2009 - 5:29 pm
Happy Father’s Day! I know those days. Not easy, but just after a short while when thing’s calm down, also the worst day’s become happy memories :)
Love the picture.
September 8, 2009 - 7:39 am
I’m all for the boob, keep the shop open I reckon!
September 8, 2009 - 8:54 am
That is gold. You can’t blame a boy for wanting boobs. Noah did very well with the FD pressie. Hope you all enjoyed some sleep on your Fathers Day!
September 10, 2009 - 9:36 pm
He looks way too young to ween!!!
September 10, 2009 - 9:49 pm
The photo is six months old :)
September 14, 2009 - 9:21 am
I love love your spot on description of being a parent! You’ve managed to make a damn awful time sound so very funny! Love your writing as much as your brilliant photography – you are truly a talented man. This from a kiwi gal in her final year of a photography degree with two little girls in tow.
September 18, 2009 - 12:48 am
You can take gorgeous pictures… and it’s seems you’re also a fantastic strory teller!!! I’m so glad I found your blog.
October 2, 2009 - 5:40 am
This, Jonas, this post is an example of why I know you ARE a writer and you will succeed when you write your novel.
October 29, 2009 - 11:59 am
Love it! Jonas, your blogs are just so funny. We will have to catch up with you, Jac and the boys sometime when our house is finally finshed. We also need to organise for you to take some family photos for us. Adam has been on my back about it since Jacobie was born!
Cheers
Leisa
I’m flying back to Brisbane tomorrow. It’s been truly awesome being back “home”. For the first time in years I have appreciated the country I left five years ago.
Buh-bye for now, Sweden.
See you next year.
show 6 comments
August 8, 2009 - 5:47 pm
So beautiful.
August 10, 2009 - 9:15 am
Humm, hur ska jag säga det här? Ditt bildspråk är något utöver det vanliga, orden jag får upp när jag tittar på dina bilder känns inte tillräckliga. Helt enkelt sjukt snyggt jobbat! Nästa gång du är i Sverige och behöver en assistent så avbokar jag mina bröllopsfotograferingar ;-)
August 11, 2009 - 2:30 am
wow Jonas
August 13, 2009 - 9:41 pm
So darn beautiful! God I gotta get myself a better camera! Not that its the camera that creates the motive, but still. What ISO-setting did you use here?
August 14, 2009 - 3:19 am
It has very little to do with the camera here, more the lens and how I chose to expose it. ISO was 200, f/2.8.
August 19, 2009 - 4:35 am
Yes! I have come to realize this now!:D I have been takin photos more “seriously” for about 6-8 months now and just recently I bought the cheap 50mm from canon (the one you actually suggested in a post). Its fun to learn to work more with aperture. But now I also see that it´s about impossible to shoot with that lens at a low ISO if it´s not almost daylight. When I compare my 17-40 f/4 lens the light is just SOOO much better! Guess I just need to spend a little more than 1200 SEk on a 50mm to get the same quality. Any tips?:P
by Jonas
show hide 51 comments
Heather J - YES! My nephew was Bumblebee for Halloween this year! Also, I’m jealous of your red headed children. I wish red headed children were in the cards for me, but the genetics just aren’t there.
Congrats on the kiddos birthday.
Shannon - He is absolutely gorgeous, Jonas! Too many many more!!!
The LANE/Karissa Fanning - Oh wow… beautiful pics!!! Happy Bday to the lil guy. :)
Tim Coulson - the man.
Josh Lamkin - Haha Happy Birthday, kid!
cinthia - Happy Birthday Noah! God bless you!
Candis Press - I love these photos. Cutest little red headed kid! You will definitely be cherishing these pics for a long long time. I’m inspired. Thank you.
ayesha - happy birthday noah!!! four is a big year! these are wonderful… thanks so much for sharing :)
Xanthe Roxburgh - Naaaawwwww. Too cute! And omg that red hair! Happy birthday Noah. [he looks just like my 4yo son's preschool bestie]
Erin Lassahn - Happy Birthday Noah! He’s beyond adorable….LOVE his red hair. I hope he has an amazing 4th year :)
Mary Sylvia - What a cute kid! These images are so heartwarming.
Amanda VanVels - what a cutie pie!
Jennifer - Happy New Year to your sweet boy! My little guy is “free-anna-haff.” Crazy times! LOVE the tub/hair photo. Wow, Jonas.
megan - Wow – what a beautiful kid and beautiful photos! Congrats to you, mom and dad!
Anya - Happy Birthday to Noah!
Emily Porter - The cuteness…. it’s too much…
Annabel - Love My Dress UK Wedding Blog - I could cry! What a simply gorgeous little boy – the flock of red hair peeping above the bath top, that beautiful shot of him in the field looking so small and vulnerable – this is the kind of beauty captured on camera that I will never tire of staring at and smiling and feeling that warm glow inside (that makes me feel so utterly blessed to be a parent).
Love to you and your family,
Annabel xXx
Joshua Gull - Awesome costume, but the bathtub shot takes the cake. He’s too cute with that red hair. I know you gotta be a proud papa Jonas.
Åsa H - Omg. 4 years already! Time passes really quickly. I wish him a happy happy birthday! He’s just adorable.
Alis - ÅÅÅH!! Underbara foton! Jag har sett dem förut och jag blir nästan tårögd för jag har ju följt er ett tag. Man ser kärleken i bilderna! Du berörde oss så mycket när du delade med dig.
alyda - total cuters :D
Nika/ - He is adorable! Noah and my son Lucas shares a birthday. L turns 5 today. Hope he gets a great birthday with pressies and cake! Love!!
Dosiss - Dotter (snart 6) säger; “Nu är han stor, det är ingen bebis längre”.
De växer fort.
Millis - He looks so much like his father :-)
Hanna - Wow, it’s crazy how time flies. I remember the blog post about the birth of a baby boy that no one of us Fishy-readers had any idea about. It was a completely different life with advertising awards and party stories. And of course, beautiful photography, although not from weddings.
As an early adopter in the Jonas Peterson field, I’m kind of proud of what you’ve accomplished, even though my part has been fairly limited…
You inspire us all. Please keep doing that. And from a redhead to another – Grattis på födelsedagen till fina Noah!
Kirsten - Love the bath shot! Great hair.
Eliza Claire - He’s gorgeous, Jonas. So cute, and I love his red hair. I have a nearly 5 yr old (and a 3 yr old) and 4 is just the best stage ever (so far…)
He has your eyes and features? He looks like you, a lot.
michele bowman - you have a beautiful son :)
cassie - If I said these are painfully beautiful images, would that make sense?! :-D I love Noah and the toes…
cassie - If I said these are painfully beautiful images would that make sense?! I love Noah and the toes… :-D
Amanda Thorson - no question of who his father is :)
flow - happy birthday! what a great boy.
best wishes from germany :)
Nashville Wedding Photographers - we also have a 4 year old! a 6 year old and one on the way:) Being a dad is the best thing on Earth! Your son is amazing and so are the photos. nice job!!!!
Jennifer Adkins - Your personal/family photos are probably my favorite things to see on your website. I love your work, and to see how you interpret everyday events with your family blows me away. You rock… But you should already know that!
Ariana Watts - Awww!! He is just so cute!
Gemma - yep, bath shot my fave too! Happy birthday to Naoh and congrats to mum & dad too
Aga Kloc - wow…He is gorgeous…beatiful pics!
Matilda [myphoto.blogg.se] - Grattis till din lille Noah! SJUKT grymma bilder Jonas!
natalie - Happy Birthday!!!! The pics are amazing and full of life!
Sarah D. - one of your most beautiful, heart-felt posts. Love it.
Petra1000 - Helt underbara bilder! Jag blir så berörd av både text och bild, som vanligt. Jag har skrivit det förut, men jag vill skriva igen. Du är min största inspiration! Av alla fotografer jag tittar runt bland för att lära mig och bli inspirerad av så förblir du det. Inte bara för att dina bilder är fantastiska, utan också för att känslan du förmedlar är att det går att ha roligt på jobbet. Att det går att leva av något man älskar. Ser fram emot att fortsätta följa din blogg!
Aga Kloc - he’s so cute!!!and very good pictures :)
Leovi - I like your blog is very attractive
Jeanette - He looks just like you. Happy Birthday, Noah.
Natalie - Every now and then I stumble across a photo that really makes me just STOP and catch my breath and smile. The one of Noah’s little red head peeking over the bathtub just makes me feel so excited to be starting a family. Precious.
Fiona - CUTE! Love the pic in the bath- that hair is amazing! (So adorable on the bike too).
Kat Braman - he’s awesome! I have a cool little dude at home that just turned 4 last month.
San Diego wedding photographer - He is adorable! Congratulations! Enjoy every day! They grow up so fast.
Linda - I also remember when this little fellow was born. You touched your blog readers then. And you do it over and over again.
Grattis Noah!
Phil D - Very stylish work. Love the sharpness..
yana yaroshenka - sunny boy _) yaaamy_)