Surprise!

The morning of January 8, 2011 would change our lives forever!

My mom, Taylor and Aubree arrived Friday night and we had finished dinner and were hanging out downstairs watching an old high school football game of Taylor's (best hands in the Midwest). I remember not being able to get comfortable on the couch and calling it a night to go to bed. About 5 AM I woke up and again couldn't get comfortable, enough to get up and move into the chair in our family room. This was the first time I had gotten out of bed throughout my entire pregnancy.

Of course at 5:00 AM on a Saturday morning there is nothing on television. I was able to settle in a bit and found myself dozing off due to pure boredom. At 6:00 AM I awoke to find that my water had broken...or had it? I had no idea what to expect. I called the doctor's exchange and Dr. Weinstein was on call and told me to head to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at 6:50 AM. I was checked in and examined and sure enough my water had broken. I was told that I would not be leaving the hospital until I had a baby! I was not having contractions at this point and needed to be monitored closely to make sure Baby Emma had enough fluids. We got mom and baby all hooked up to the monitors and began amniotic infusions to force fluid pockets around Emma.

My mom and Aubree had come in for my shower with my girlfriends. But Emma had her own plan; she didn't want the party to happen without her anymore. She was ready to meet Mom and Dad! My brother believes that Emma knew that she was strong enough to finish her development outside of the womb and decided to come 7 weeks early so that Mom could take care of herself and finish out chemo treatments. I believe all things happen for a reason and she is a fighter like her mom! I called Natalie and Lindsey to let them know that plans were going to change and shower day was going to become birthday!

Emma has a knack for timing and she knew that my family was in town and could experience her arrival and my Dad was at his condo at the Lake and therefore had just a short drive into town. Rett's family all came to the hospital too. We are blessed to have so many people who love us and wanted to share this truly unbelievable experience with us.

By mid-afternoon I was in labor. I was not trying to be a hero and took the epidural however it only took on the left side of my body. I endured true labor for about 1.5 hours and then we decided to redo the epidural. I must give props to the women whom do natural birth- you are more woman than I am!

Rett and I visited with our family and then decided to take a nap around 9:30 PM. My nurse came into examine me at 10:10 and I was fully dilated and it was time to have our baby girl! After 3 contractions and 6 pushes, our precious Emma Rose was here! Daddy got to cut the umbilical cord and stay with her as she was transferred to the NICU.

I needed to recover from delivery and let the epidural ware off before I could visit the NICU, but at about 3 AM I got to hold my miracle baby!

Preparing for Emma Rose!

 



Proud mommy and daddy!

Emma Rose born 3 lb 12 oz, 17 in long at 10:32 PM

Our Family

Already a fighter!

Our bond is stronger than ever! Here's to a healthy and happy 2011!

I can't even describe the emotional roller coaster of the day- happiness to meet her, scared for her health and the journey ahead, curious and anxious, sad and angry that my health could have caused her premature birth, and filled with joy and love! Her birth was one of the best times in my life and a journey that Rett and I will never forget!

We love you, Emma!
Mommy and Daddy