Welcoming our baby girl to the world

Hi everyone. I have been putting off doing this because reliving the experience, even in my mind brings me to tears. I have to start off by saying that Emma is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to Dustin and I. She is so beautiful and couldn't be any more perfect. I remember while typing my last blog I was still pregnant and as I stroked the keys on the keyboard she would kick and flutter around inside my tummy from the sound because she was right up against it. I miss that already! Now, as she sits behind me cooing in her swing I can't help but giggle cause she is so darn sweet!

So, I will tell you how we have been the last week and a half by starting with our hospital check in on Sunday, 12/9/07. We got there a little before midnight and started to get settled in our room. We got a room in the farthest corner of the birthing unit which we thought was awesome. Until the ventilation in that room left me with no voice by the time we were discharged. Anyway, by the time they got me ready to put the little pill in to start dialating me they realized I was already in labor. My contractions were about 7 minutes apart but I had taken no notice~! I thought, SWEET! If I can't even tell this is gonna be a breeze. Not quite how it turned out but thats okay. They decided to go ahead with pitocin instead to just get me on the fast track. My water broke on it's own around 6am and yes, it is definitely noticable. I remember worrying and wondering if I would know when it happened. Well yeah, I knew. So then my contractions didn't really get strong until around 10am. At 11am I decided to try some IV meds to dull the pain and they would only work for a little while. I finally got an epidural around 1pm and I was dialated to a 5 at that point. At around 8pm I was almost fully dialated and completely thinned out so they decided to get me ready to start pushing. At 9pm I started to push and by 10:08 our little angel finally made her debut! She weighed 7lbs, 15 ounces and was 20inches long. All in all, I had a really great birthing experience and even if I hadn't I would still tell you it was worth it! I would do it a thousand times over to experience hearing her first mild little cry again. Hold on, I have to get some kleenex. Okay, I am better for a moment. There is nothing in this world that can explain how this feels. It is such an amazing thing that I wish everyone could experience!

How are we doing since we have been home? Fantastic! Dustin and I could just sit and stare at her for hours. We are being incredibly selfish right now and hogging her all to ourselves. We cannot believe we ever said we didn't want children. Now, we can't even imagine life before Emma! We are sorry we haven't returned a lot of calls and emails but we are just getting used to and thoroughly enjoying our new life with our wonderful daughter!

I could probably go on for hours about all her little first since we have been home but then that would take time away from me looking at my beautiful daughter now wouldn't it? So, sorry but I have to go now.

Here are some pictures of her first week of life, I can hardly believe she is a week old today! Okay, now I am crying again! Enjoy the photos!

I have to say that I am forever changed by our daughter! I will never look at life the same now that we have her! It is not only better, it is absolute perfection!