I always love to hear labor and delivery stories so here's Emma's story while it's fresh on my mind. Around 7 AM on Friday, Sept. 23rd we checked into the hospital, filled out our paperwork, and walked down to delivery room 4 to get the party started. Dr. Fogwell induced me 6 days early and it's a good thing because little miss was quite the chubber! He broke my water around 9 AM and shorty after the anesthesiologist dropped by for my epidural, the nurse started petosin, and the contractions started but I was feeling no pain. I was already dilated to a 5 and 80% effaced so I was half way there when I walked in the door. When it came time to push I asked my nurse for a mirror so I could watch the birth. She said it's actually quite helpful for a lot of women to see their progress while pushing so she brought it right out. I felt like we were in our own episode of TLC's A Baby Story. It is truly amazing to watch the birth of your own child! I started pushing a little before noon and Emma was born at 12:22 PM. Dr. Fogwell barely made it into the delivery room in time! Luckily he had come down to check my progress and as he was suiting up I pushed and then said, "Um, she's coming out!" so I'm really glad I had that mirror! He quickly turned around and the nurse was rushing to get his gloves on and her gloves on, he didn't even have time to put on his mask. I started laughing and he told me to stop so she wouldn't fall out on the table. Apparently these birthing hips of mine make it incredibly easy for me to deliver a baby. =) Chase didn't get to cut the cord because they were so frantic and everything happened so fast. In fact, Emma's cord was ridiculously long and wrapped twice around her neck. They said it was nothing to be concerned about because her heart rate never dropped during the labor process so it was not constricting her airway.
At first glace we couldn't figure out who she looked like. I was half way expecting a mini Madison but I really don't think they look that much a like. Emma was born with a head full of dark hair but her eyelashes and eyebrows are so blonde they can barely be seen so I'm wondering if she may end up being a blondie. I was shocked when they told us she was 7 lbs and 12 oz! The sonographer's guesstimate the week before was way off! Madison was so small and they didn't think Emma was going to be very big either but she had a little over a pound and half on her sister. She did stay in my belly two weeks longer than Madison so I guess she made them count! I'm so glad she has a little weight on her because her rolls and cheeks are super cute. And the best part is she immediately started to nurse! This is huge for me because Madison and I never quite got the hang of it so I had to pump and bottle feed her every singe feeding which led to zero sleep. I've already had more sleep in the past week then I ever did when Madison was a newborn so I can't complain. And speaking of sleeping, guess where I haven't slept??? The couch! Some of you may recall I spent the first 10 weeks of Madison's life sleeping on the couch, partly because she had reflux so she had to be upright and because I literally couldn't put her down or she would scream. And since I was pumping it was just easier to be in the living room and close to the kitchen to bag the milk and clean the parts in between each feeding, makes me tired just thinking about it. Emma has been much easier and sleeps in our room. I set a kitchen timer to wake me up for feedings.
Emma did lose 9 ounces in the hospital so the lactation consultant was a little concerned she wasn't latching properly but we have since figured it out. She is definitely my child because she was born with a stork bite on her forehead just like me, my mom, my grandfather, and Madison. This will eventually lighten over the years and should ultimately disappear. She was also born with a tongue frenulum which is a little piece of skin that attaches your tongue to the bottom of your mouth and it can restrict tongue movement. This can interfere with breastfeeding so we had the pediatrician clip it before we left the hospital on Sunday. I had mine clipped but not till grade school so it was a semi invasive surgery that required stitches and therapy afterwards. Chase went to the nursery to watch and he said it was super quick and Emma really didn't even cry so I'm really glad we had it done now.
We went to see Dr. Hieber on Tuesday and she was down another ounce and her complexion was pretty yellow so he sent us to the hospital to have a bilirubin test for jaundice. Her levels were high but not dangerously high so we had to go back again on Wednesday for the same test, a horrible heel prick. Thankfully her levels were dropping so we are in the clear. Today we went back for a weight check and Emma has gained 5 oz in 3 days! My milk is in and she is going to town, this little girl has quite the suction when she's nursing so it can be painful at times. My boobs are giant and sore but I'm not complaining since she is eating and gaining weight. At this rate she will be back up to birth weight in no time. She's also smiling up a storm! I realize it's probably just gas but cute none the less.
I haven't had both kids by myself yet. Chase took off work through Wednesday and my mom came on Thursday and Friday so I've managed to get a nap almost every afternoon which helps with our late night feedings and awake time. I really need the most help with Madison, I can handle Emma all my by myself. Madison has been very loving toward her new sister and constantly gives her kisses and wants to hold her but she's been pretty testy with us and cries at the drop of a hat, mostly fake crying when we tell her no. It's a big change for her not to have our undivided attention and to have to be careful around a new baby. She's heard no a lot this past week and she wants to be very close to me while I'm holding and feeding Emma so she's just getting used to not being the baby anymore. I think it will get easier as the days go by. I'm so thankful we live so close to family who will be able to help out and take Madison so she gets some undivided attention!
One last belly shot before we get to meet sweet Emma
Hanging out in the delivery room
Hello Emma bear!
Chubba wubba, look at those cheeks! 7 lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long
We did it!
Proud Pappa!
And a very proud mamma!
Meeting, Gram, Mimi, and Madison
Checking out her new sister
I think she's a keeper!
Me and my girls
Meeting Pa and Grandad
Aunt Jill
Here's the picture Chase took with his phone so we could text all our friends. Love that sweet mouth!
The proud Big Sister!
Daddy and his girls
All cleaned up and in our room
Mimi and her girls
Meeting Uncle Michael
Great Granddaddy
Aunt Sheshe and her crew came by on Saturday to meet the latest Culp addition
A princess already!
Sweet little grin
Megan and Andy came to visit
And Lisa made one of her adorable hats!
Happy little family of 4
Julie came to see us and brought presents! Madison got so many gifts that I'm pretty sure she's gonna want a new baby every week. Ha!
Tiny little toes
Time to go home!
Sisters!
Introducing Me!
Baby burrito, this awesome little contraption is where miss Emma sleeps and it's the best thing ever! A big thanks to Megan for letting us borrow it. It helps me sleep too because she's sitting more upright than flat on her back and she feels snuggled in so it probably feels like she's being held.
Trying to get a burp! Daddy is the expert burper
One week old!
We gave Emma her first sponge bath and she wasn't really a fan. As soon as I took off her diaper she immediately shot poop everywhere which sent Chase dry heaving to the bath room to get some new towels. He doesn't handle poop well. Then she peed everywhere too. To make matters worse he then took Madison upstairs to give her a bath and just before he put her in the tub she pooped on the floor. She has never ever done this before and I heard him about to lose his lunch, or dinner in this case, all over again as he was trying to clean it up. Of course she stepped in it so she was making an even bigger mess. Poor Chase, he was not a happy camper.
Emma Bear we are so glad you are here and home with us!
