Emma Stewart was born a week ago today, but I feel like I have known her my whole life. At this point she doesn't do much more than eat and sleep, but during her periods of awake time you can catch a glimpse of her personality. She shares the furrowed brow of her father and older brother, and is able to look deep into your eyes. We were saying yesterday that Ian looks like Tim but has my personality (stubborn and a bit dramatic). It appears that though Emma looks like me she may have Tim's pensive and discerning personality.
I have to admit that over the last couple of weeks I had been feeling somewhat hesitant about having another baby. We had finally settled into a routine with Ian, he is at that age where he is just so much fun, and I was worried about bringing a new baby into our lives- a new baby girl at that. However, we could not feel more complete now that Emma is here. We are now a family of four! WOW!!!!
As I was feeling the onset of contractions last week I phoned my mom and told her to start her two hour trip down to DC. I had been having some contractions since 3am but they were twenty minutes or so apart and rather sporatic. I actually just thought it was false labor for most of the morning. So, around 8am although I was having contractions 10-15 minutes apart I had Tim drop me off at work so I could finish up some projects I had been working on. By the time Tim picked me back up at work the contractions were getting much more intense and I was beginning to think this was the real thing but was still unsure. But by the time my mom and grandparents arrived to watch Ian the contractions were 6-8 minutes apart. From 12noon-3pm Tim and I hung out (or rather dealt with my contractions) in our bedroom while my mom and grandparents watched Ian downstairs. I don't think Ian had a clue what was going on, even in our tiny house. He was just so happy to be the center of attention. Around 3pm I had a few contractions that were only 3 minutes apart and Tim freaked out. He practically threw me in the car despite my yearning to stay home for a bit longer. I was in a lot of pain at this point and I was dreading the drive to the hospital, and having to say bye to Ian. I sobbed on the way out the door and must have hugged Ian a million times before getting in the car. Once at the hospital the contractions intensified and I am embarrassed to say that I was in so much pain for some of them I didn't know what else to do but cry. I kept trying to relax and breathe but the back pain was at some points unbearable.
We got to the delivery room around 4pm and at that point I was five centimeters. I immediately asked for the epidural fearing that my labor would progress so quickly I would not have time for the drugs...and I really wanted the drugs! Nothing seemed to be working in my favor however. It took three nurses to find a vein (one nurse actually came in and then left saying she wouldn't even attempt to prick me). Then the heart rate monitor was not working so well, my doctor was in a c-section and had to sign off on the epidural before I could get it, etc. Finally at around 7 cm, and after the most intense labor and pain I have ever been in, I got the epidural and all was well. During the two hours of waiting Tim was trying to coach me to be prepared to have this baby naturally since things were progressing so quickly. I completely refused.
The epidural slowed things down a bit but I was able to drift in and out of sleep and regain some energy. I got the epidural around 7pm and by 9:30pm felt the urge to push. Twenty minutes later baby Emma was born! She was born face up which accounted for my extreme back pain (her spine against mine) and the longer labor. I was able to pull her right up onto my chest and she opened her eyes right away. Much different from Ian who took a good two days to open his eyes. I also could not believe that Emma was a whole pound heavier than Ian. What a difference a week makes in the womb!
After Tim and I spent some time with Emma, my mom and grandparents brought Ian into the room. It was so wonderful having him and my family there. Ian was so adorable with Emma and fortunately did not freak out when seeing me in the hospital bed.
Since last Thursday we have had several family members in town to meet Emma and play with Ian. My mom stayed with us until Tuesday evening and was so incredibly helpful. I cried when she left, it was just so wonderful to have her here to share in our new family member and to spend time with Ian...oh and to cook and clean of course!
Ian is off with his Nina and Grandpa in Sewickley, PA for a few days of sugar muffins, time with Nina and the kittie, time in the tool shed with Grandpa, and tons of time with his Aunt Cate and Aunt Susannah. Of course, I cried last night when he left but today I am cherishing these moments I have with Emma.
