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When I was expecting my third child in 2005, we had just bought our first home, and I had a five-year old and a two-year old.
Looking towards Emily's birth, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect since I had had two very different labors with my other children. Addison's birth in 2000 had been extremely difficult and long. Michael was born at home in 2003, his birth was shockingly fast and couldn't have been easier.
Five days before my due date, my husband's only brother was getting married. My daughter, Addie, would be the flower girl.
I made it to and through the wedding, and no baby yet.....
Three days before Emily's due date, I was hopeful that this would be the day. The day passed without any signs, and it was after we had gone to bed that night that I began to wonder if something was happening. Labor had progressed so fast with Michael that I took any little sign very seriously. After watching the clock for about an hour, I woke Josh and told him I thought we should get ready to go. He called my mom to come stay with the kids, and she was at our house within minutes.
We headed off to the hospital in a thunder storm, it would be a 50 minute drive to a tiny, low-intervention hospital (the closest I could come to a homebirth at the time). It became clear before we even left our own street that this was IT. Laboring in the car was not fun. The rain poured down, and I worked on relaxing through each contraction. I think I spent most of the drive with my eyes closed. Josh was a wonderful support to me, and it meant so much to know that my mom had care of my other two children. I was so glad to finally arrive at the hospital, and my first concern was to try to convey to the nurse how close to the end I was, because she knew that labor had just started a couple of hours ago. Labor ended with the doctor running into the room barely in time to catch the baby! Twenty minutes after arriving at the hospital, it was all over and I was holding an 8 pound, 3 oz miracle. We did know that we were having a girl, but we had no idea how sweet and adorable she would be. We named her Emily Grace.
I was able to hold Emily for about two hours before the nurse took her for a bath and exam, which she did with a portable unit right in my room! I think Josh went home around 4:15am or so, and I was supposed to try and get some sleep. Emily's bassinet was by my side, and she was tightly bundled in my arms. I knew how important it was that I sleep, but how could I put her down? Finally, I made myself put her in the bassinet. Then I looked at her for a while. Then I picked her up again and loved her some more. Then I put her back down, determined to get some sleep before I heard the breakfast tray. It took me a long time to start to drift off, and by that time, the morning noises had begun. I could hear my nurse telling her friends about the night before. I was so tired. "I have got to get home and get some rest." I thought. I managed to get us released from the hospital and on our way home just 12 hours after we had arrived there! (Our pediatrician would perform the necessary blood work in the next few days). While waiting to be released, Josh and my Mom brought the kids to meet Emily.
Addie and Michael love their little sister, we are so thankful that God blessed us with her!
My brother, Robbie, holding Emily
Emily with my brother, Rick
Emily with Pattycake
First Birthday (Photo by my sister, Rebecca)
This Summer
Emily's birthday party last week:
Happy Birthday, Emily Grace, we love you!
11:36 PM - Sep. 14, 2007 -
Awwww ... !
Great job! I still shudder to think if you had waited any longer to call me ... I would have probably delivered Emily at home. Oh, my.
I've got a great pic of Emily and Dad I should send you to put in at the end. Also, Becca took a few amazing photos at your house the other day!
Very nicely done -
Love,
Mom
P.S. Did you get my email about the book I bought you?
Pattycake - 4:19 PM - Sep. 19, 2007
Untitled Comment
Check out my latest post! (Emily's "Happy Birthday")
Love,
Mom
Pattycake - 9:55 AM - Sep. 24, 2007
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Welcome! I am a second-generation homeschooler, 31 years old and married for 10 years. Our children are Addie (8), Michael (5) and Emily (3). I love all of Dr. Ruth Beechick's books and we enjoy unit studies, but we use a little bit of everything!
