Emery Salem

Finally...the details! Julie woke up 1 in the morning on Friday with contractions. These ones were different from the ones she felt the week before, so she knew something was probably going on. She waited until 3:30 and woke Aaron, so he could hang out with her. By 6:30 the contractions had been 5 mins. apart for about 2 hours so Julie was pretty sure this was going to be the real deal. We wanted to keep busy and keep Julie moving. Aaron's mom was on her way down to take care of Joseph. Until she got here we went and had donuts at our community center, and started some laundry. By the time Diane arrived, the contractions had slowed down. Julie called the doctor and talked with him a bit about what was going on. He said if the contractions picked back up (we were planning on going for a walk now that Diane could stay with Joseph) and stayed consistent, to go to the hospital. So we went for a walk at a path right next to the hospital. After 45 mins. the contractions had picked back up a bit, but not significantly and we were feeling exhausted, so we headed back to the apartment to rest. Julie had accepted the her labor might just die down, and was okay with it at this point. After laying down for about 10 minutes or so, Julie's water broke. Once she was sure she hadn't just gone to the bathroom on herself, we headed off to the hospital. At this point, Julie was only 2 centimeters, but was fully effaced and Emery's head was very, very low. Once her IV was in and entrance questions answered, we headed off to the tub. Contractions were continuing to pick up since the water broke. Julie was only in the tub for maybe 30 minutes, but the contractions got intense really fast, so we headed back to the room for some pain assistance. Julie was a bit hesitant about an epidural possibly stalling labor, but she knew she needed some help. So, she got an intrathecal (sp?) which is a temporary epidural that wears off after a few hours as well as a catheter for the epidural so she could have it when the intrathecal wore off. At this point, she was dilated to 5. (maybe 2 hours have lapsed since getting to the hospital) After getting the pain meds, Julie was feeling super (As anyone who has had an epidural after enduring labor can attest to. You become one happy camper.) Her doctor came in, and checked her and she was dilated to 9. He had her do a practice push (Keep in mind, Julie had never pushed before, not getting that far in Joseph's labor) and the head started coming down. So he got ready, and we started pushing. It took less than 30 minutes and Emery was here! Pushing was by far the most satisfying part of the labor and delivery because Julie was able to endure it without pain, and her doctor said she did absolutely awesome for never having pushed before and of course that made Julie feel great. Emery was born at 5:47, 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 in. The cord was wrapped around her neck, but not tightly. She didn't cry. They roused her and got her woken up a bit more and she finally cried, but it was so soft. (and still is)

Emery is just an amazing baby. She's easy to please, sleeps great, has a soft cry, and is just so darn cute. Her birth was absolutely amazing to experience, and such a contrast to Julie's first experience. The recovery has also been night and day from last time. Julie feels absolutely great! Joseph has been doing fantastic with this change. Not once has he seemed surprised or out of sorts that we have this new person at home. The first thing he wanted to do was hold her and kiss her, and he still does. We're sure things will continue to change and we'll have adjustments to make, but for now things couldn't be better. Thanks for all your well wishes and congratulations. Here are some pictures of the newest addition!

At the hospital

First bath

She really likes to suck on fingers

Just too cute

Proud big brother

Well, hello there

Since she was sleeping on his bed, Joseph gave her his bedtime necessities: binky, towel, and two toys

Our precious lady

9 days to go...

I had another doctor's appointment today. I'm continuing to make good progress. I'm now 80% effaced, and almost 2 centimeters dilated. My cervix has also dropped quite a bit (along with Emery!). My doctor says I probably won't go into labor in the next few days, but feels like it could happen anytime Friday through Monday. I still have an appointment next Tuesday just in case. He said if I'm tired of being pregnant he would offer to strip my membranes at my next appointment. We'll see what happens. I don't think I'm feeling that desperate (and the percentage of that helping isn't really convincing either). I had my first experience with false labor yesterday. Nothing reallly intense. We went on a long walk to and from campus (The U of M). I noticed that while walking, my contractions (which I'm having regularly all day every day, but not consistently) would come faster and stronger. So after I got home I started to time them for kicks and giggles. For about 3 hours they came every 6-10 minutes. They slowed down shortly before bedtime and luckily I was able to sleep very comfortably. I realize that is now in part to Emery's getting a little bit lower. I didn't have any rib pain at all last night! What a miracle! I have become accustomed to sleeping on my right side, with my left hand shoved under my rib, because it tingles otherwise. But last night I didn't have to fall asleep on my hand. How great! Although I had about 3 different dreams about being in the hospital for the baby. They were all odd, none of them very reassuring. Aaron was never there, old high school friends were throwing my things out the window, they wouldn't take me to a bathroom, and the umbilical cord was prolapsed (I think that's what it's called when the cord comes out before the baby). Fortunately for me, I know that the labor and delivery here is amazing and my brother in law's girlfriend, Jessica, is a nurse there and I know she will make sure they take good care of me! Ooh, in other nice news, I even lost half a pound. We blame that on the ridiculous indigestion I had this last week. I couldn't eat a fist size amount of food without needing a tums afterwards, so I just started eating less. I wasn't ever hungry, so I just did what worked. Luckily though, I think her final dropping the last few days has taken care of my indigestion issues too. Woohoo! Great updates for me this week. Can't wait to give you the big news, whenever that day comes.

The Belly Picture

I promised another one, so here it is. I took the liberty of putting on my maternity bathing suit and comparing it with the picture I took the day I went into the hospital for Joseph. Now we can see how big I am comparatively. After looking at both pictures, I can see that there's a lot less room in my suit this pregnancy. I didn't think it would be that different, but that's what happens. Anyhow, here they are!









For those who can't tell, the one on the left is from Joseph's pregnancy, the one on the right was taken today.

When you just look at the belly, I guess it is hard to tell the difference. But when I look at how that top fits, I can see the difference. What do you think?

14 more days...

I had another doctor's appointment Tuesday. My doctor did an ultrasound to see if we have another Joseph on our hands. According to her measurements, Emery is weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz. Her size put my "due date" a week from now, instead of 2. Of course we don't think she's coming early or anything. We're just anticipating her to be in the 8 - 8 1/2 lb. range. I'm dilated 1-2, still 50% effaced and Emery's sitting low at 0 station. I'm still right on track for the due date on April 22. As much as I would love for her to come early, I'm totally okay with waiting for the due date because we have things planned out so well for that date. Aaron's mom is going to come down from Kalispell. She'll take care of Joseph while we're having baby and in the hospital. Then she'll stay with us the entire week afterwards. Then on May 2, my parents are flying up from LA! We're very excited to have them visit and help around the house. I'm especially glad my dad can come and help out to keep Joseph entertained and make sure he has some good quality attention. They're only staying for about 5 days, but by the time they leave, Aaron should be done with his student teaching, and will be able to be around, keeping Joseph occupied and helping me recover. We're so pleased with how it is all planning out. Of course we know nothing ever goes as planned, but with such a great initial plan, even if things get tweaked a little bit, it should still go okay. And Joseph came on his due date, so we're hoping this little lady will follow suit.

The countdown begins...

19 days approximately until the due date. I'm not going to do a countdown, but rather wanted a reason to post and put up a few pictures since it's been so long. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of me (because I'm generally the one behind the camera, of course) but I'll make Aaron take one soon. But since I brought up the countdown, I did have a visit to the doctor Tuesday and I have started dilating. Only 1 centimeter so far, but I am sure my body will slowly progress. Seeing as I have about 19 days, we're not too worried. This coming Tuesday we're having an ultrasound to check on Emery's size. Since I was the average size with Joseph's pregnancy but still managed to have a 9 lb. baby my doctor thinks it will be helpful to check on Emery too. I remember them saying I was "all baby" last time, and now I know why they say that. I may not be gigantic (I've seen a few of those pregnant types and I tell ya, I didn't know pregnant women could do that) but that doesn't stop our babies from filling out. I tell Aaron that my body must know something I don't. I figure if my tummy just got a little bit bigger the baby would have more room and I might be a bit more comfortable. However, maybe if my tummy got bigger, I wouldn't be able to stand up straight, or I'd just fall over. Or maybe I'd have horrible back problems. I am only 5'3 mind you. Anyway, that's the pregnancy countdown news. I'll update next week after the ultrasound and let you all know how big we think she might be (they're only so accurate, but do give you a good idea if you should expect "big"). Well, here's a few pictures of Joseph. Enjoy!He made this tower all by himself.Joseph and I doing some painting and sponge-lettering.