i cannot believe that is was four years ago today that we were given the most wonderful christmas gift ever . . . sweet little emma. after three months of bed rest (one month at home, and two in the hospital), we were surprised to find out i was 5 cm dilated after my water had broken on the morning of december 26. the dr looked at me and said, "we're having a baby today." i started to cry ... first, tom had left the hospital, so i was afraid the baby would arrive before he got back. (i had no idea how long labor could last!! in the movies, they say 5 cm dilated and the baby arrives in the next scene!!) and, i also was crying because i knew how early this was for me to be in labor.
at least 10 hours after my water had broken, emma kristine arrived. she was seven weeks early. she weighed only 4 lbs, 9 oz! she was so little. we were so afraid we would break her when we held her. she spent 15 days in the hospital ... one day in NICU and the rest of the time she was in the special care nursery learning to breathe, suck, and swallow at the same time (preemies don't have all the reflexes to do those three things at once). we were so nervous when they told us we could take her home. and, in fact, within five minutes of us getting home with her, i turned to tom, started to cry, and said, "i don't think i can do this. i think we need to go back to the hospital."!!! ok, am i the only first-time mom who's said that?? i was terrified, but somehow, here she is turning four years old today.
she was definitely a miracle . . . a beautiful, most precious gift. she is full of life, so sweet and funny. looking at her today, you would have no idea that she arrived in this world so early. i think she was just eager to get busy in this world!
happy birthday emma!
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