Christmas 2010

We had an amazing Christmas this year as a new family of 3!!

It was such a special one for Mike & I as we got to celebrate it with our first born.

Such an awesome feeling that I hope to never forget!

Emily was just 20 days old and so very tiny on Christmas Day.

She was spoiled beyond belief between us, grandparents, and aunts & uncles with gifts and sweet loving.... I don't think the child was ever put down!! HA... Can you blame us though?!

Although she slept the day away and was too young to understand what was going on, I hope that she will look back later at all of the pictures and hopefully this blog and see how much she was loved!

Look Santa came!! My goodness you must have been a good girl!

Sweet chubby cheeks!

Where's Emily? HA...

Look at how small she is compared to her stocking and her gifts.... yes, these are ALL hers!

Emily you got lots of clothes and toys for when you get a little older for Christmas.

We can't wait to see what next Christmas will be like. You will be mobile and into everything.

Mommy is not ready for that just yet!

Hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas!

2 Weeks Old & Newborn Check

2 Weeks Old!!

(Posting late... trying to catch up! Better late than never.. HA)

Emily you are 2 weeks old! We can't believe our eyes that you are ours!

You are such a GOOD baby! We are SO lucky and blessed!

We all have adjusted well and are beginning to get into a routine sorta.

Mommy still relies on Daddy a little because I am still sore from having you.

Emily you LOVE being held up close and being swaddled! Daddy swaddles you best though. You sleep SOO much right now... So much it worried me for a while. We wake you up ever 2 to 2.5 hours to eat! You are nursing well thank goodness! We go to baby weigh-in every Friday and you are gaining like you should... this past Friday you weighed 7lbs 7oz!

You sleep in our room in the napper station on the Pack n' Play.

You like your bouncy seat when you are in it... which is rare because you are usually in someone's arms!

We have had LOTS of visitors the past 2 weeks... we actually haven't had a day without someone coming by to see you.

We are so thankful for everyone that stopped by and brought us dinner!

You had your newborn check at 1 week 2days old!

That was a BIG day for both you and Mommy... newborn check and newborn session that took 4 hours!

Let's just say we were both pooped.

We had lots of questions for Dr. Harrison. He is such a good doctor and took the time to answer them all and made us feel at ease. Everything looked and sounded great! You weighed 7lbs 3oz and were 21 inches long at your appointment which put you back up to your birth weight and you had grown 2 inches in length!

We love you so much sweet girl! Keep GROWING!

Newborn Pictures

We had Emily's newborn pictures taken when she was 1 week 2 days old!

Jennifer Goodman took them! (I highly recommend her if you are local and looking for a photographer! She is SO patient with newborns!) She is SO talented and does such great work.... her props are amazing too. I am SO glad we had these taken!

I will treasure these pictures FOREVER!!

Emily slept almost the whole time, which is what we wanted... she looks so peaceful!

The pictures turned out so good... It is going to be really hard to pick!!

Here are just a few that were taken..

We captured a smile!!

The love he has for here is indescribable!

Update

My how our lives have changed over the past 3 weeks!!

It all started early Sunday morning, Dec. 5th.. I woke up at 3:00 a.m contracting...So funny to think back at those Braxton Hick contraction prior to real labor and thinking those where the real thing! HA.. think again... the REAL ones HURT!!! I labored all day and ended up having a c-section. Not exactly what I had in mind but the end result of having a healthy baby and Mommy is all that matters... and that is what we got!! Thank you Lord!!

First family photo!

Here are her stats..

She loves being in her Daddy's arms!

We play dress up everyday! Mommy can't resist the HUGE bows!

The BIGGER the BETTER!

Always Jolly... That's what her onesie says... and boy are we JOLLY!

SHOO WEE!! Lots of stinky diapers for Daddy!

First time to empty the diaper genie! We have to document everything!

Sleeping beauty!!!

Parenthood is the BEST!!

She's Here!!

We PROUDLY announce the arrival of our sweet little girl

EMILY ANN !

She came into the world December 5, 2010 at 11:13 p.m!

She is more PERFECT than ever and we are BEYOND excited!

I will update more later... just wanted to make the announcement!

Surprise Chat!

Today I received a surprise phone call from Betsy the women that was in our child birthing class with us. When Mike and I took our child birthing class back in October there was only one other couple in there with us.. it was SO nice to have a small class. We all got to know each other really well! Of course the men talked hunting every chance they got and the ladies discussed .... well you can only imagine the range of topics! HA

Here we are about to go tour the OR... *excuse the blurry picture!

She called to tell us that they had had their sweet little boy last Tuesday and wanted to share some helpful advice and tips with me! I was thrilled to hear all about her experience at the hospital we will be delivering at and all the little things to expect.

I feel well prepared after taking the class and talking to her!

Knowing her will really come in handy in a few days too because she is a Nurse Practitioner for a Pediatrician in Conway!

We wish them the best of luck with their new little guy!

Hopefully we can get our little ones together in a few months for a play date!

Full Term!!

Can you believe it? I am full term!!

I am SO thankful I have made it this far.

37 weeks 4 days pregnant!

We went to the doctor today and I am dilated 1 cm and 50% thinned! So I am making a little progress... not too much longer and we will meet our daughter! Such an AMAZING feeling!

I get a little overwhelmed thinking about it all actually... Just hoping and praying for a safe delivery with a healthy baby! It's all in God's hands and we are trusting in Him.

Our bags are packed!

I feel as ready as ready can be... Every night before we go to bed I go around making sure everything is picked up and ready, just incase we have to make a mad dash in the middle of the night to the hospital! ha.... It's funny because I am worried about the house being clean and Mike is worried about my water braking in bed! HA... I am surprised he doesn't have me sleeping in a trash bag! HA!

I am still feeling GREAT! It's hard to get around but I am just waddling away!

I have had a WONDERFUL pregnancy and am truly going to miss being pregnant.

I'm so thankful I have been able to experience this and can't wait to go through it all again... of course in a few years hopefully!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks 4 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: up 44lbs

Maternity Clothes: All maternity clothes and those hardly cover the belly!

Best Moment this week: Finding out I'm dilated 1 cm & 50% thinned

Gender: IT'S A GIRL!!! Emily Ann

Movement: She moves often, especially when I am sitting still or laying down! It's the best feeling EVER!

Food Craving: Anything really! I have been waking up starving!

What I miss: Sleeping through the night and sleeping on my belly! Bending over and moving at normal speed! HA

Sleep: Getting use to not sleeping much... I sleep about 4 hours a night mostly sitting up.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our sweet daughter!

Belly Button: It's flat, smooth and not very attractive.

Stretch Marks: A few faint ones... She is leaving her mark on Mommy's belly! I prayed for these during our struggle and it's not the end of the world if more come.
Symptoms: swelling and blurry vision