First Taste of Rice Cereal

Today Emma had her first taste of rice cereal.  It was a bit of a messy experiment with her tongue pushing the food out more than keeping it in her mouth, but overall she did great and made it seem as though it was not her first time eating this type of food.  She couldn't get enough of it, just wanted more and more.  Well done Emma!!

4 Months

We just got back from Emma's 4 month well visit.  My stomach always knots up as we make our way to the Dr, knowing she's going to get her next set of injections.  It breaks your heart seeing your little one all smiles one minute and the next screaming her head off, and face all red with tears streaming down.  With the help of some Tylenol it soothes her down and knocks her out so she can get a good rest after.

Besides that Emma is doing really good, she's now weighing 14,5lbs (6.5kgs), head circumfrance is 41" (at 2 months it was 38" hopefully all brain, :p), and her height is 24" (she has grown 2" since her last visit).
For height and weight she's in the 75th percentile...that doesn't necessarily mean she's going to be tall, it all changes in these early months, later it all depends on genetics.

What has Emma been doing lately??  She's talking a lot more, she seems to have discovered her voice and makes various pitch noises, she mainly likes to squeal now. Even her cries are higher pitched, it hurts our ears when she has her inconsolable moments (this is mostly at bedtime or when she's faced with strangers, especially more than one person at a time).
I think I need to get her out more, so she's not so traumatized when she sees new faces.
Emma has discovered her thumb and we find her sucking on it pretty often.  We're hoping it's just a phase that she'll grow out of quickly.  Emma is still using the pacifier that she got at the hospital, I've tried to change it to the next one up, but it's pretty hard compared to the first one, our Dr mentioned that it's not a bad thing...keeping her on the first one may help, as she may outgrow it and no longer want it, so we'll see.
We have this rocker for Emma with dangling toys, we've always had to bring her hand to the one toy (Lily Ladybug), which if you tug at it, it plays "If you're happy and you know it", yesterday morning I placed her in the swing and she tugged at it a few times and since then does it each time she sits in her chair, such a clever girl.

Every morning is the highlight of our day.  We'll say "Good Morning Emma" and she'll search for us, when she sees us, she's all smiles and squeals, that's got to be the best feeling. 

A week ago Emma went on her first plane trip.  Rod had a meeting in Orlando which coincided with Rod's folks visit to Orlando.  It was a last minute decision to surprise them.  I wasn't too keen to make this trip for just a 2 day visit, but the plane ride turned out better than expected, Emma had her niggly moments, but for the most part was easily entertained by her mom and dad. And seeing the reaction on Rod's Mom and Dad's face made the trip worthwhile, such proud grandparents. 
I packed way too much clothes for her,  I was expecting blow outs and spit ups, I got laughed at, at how much I packed for just 2 days.  I thought I'd rather have too much than too little.
We were lucky that the entire trip emma slept right through the nights, even after a whole day at Universal Studios with very little sleep she slept like a log, again expecting the worst that night as they always say sleep brings on more sleep, and she had no sleep that day. 

When Emma woke up in her nursery the morning after we got back home, she was squealing with delight, almost to say, "Mom it's so good to be home", talking to her paintings in her room and smiling.

Since our return home Emma has been getting 10 - 11 hours of sleep a night.  It's such a pleasure, although now we have to make an effort to get to bed early to make use of her sleep time, always so much to do around the house though.

We have the choice of starting Emma on rice cereal now, I half want to and not.  Can't believe our baby can start eating now.  Most likely I'll wait for the family to arrive so they can all be part of the "first taste of cereal".

Thats about it really, now we get to work on the next set of milestones, rolling over, gaining the concept of eating....fun times ahead.  Looking forward to it all.

Almost Christmas Time

Can't believe Christmas is a week away.  We've decked the halls and anticipating the arrival of Rod's family on the 24th.

Emma got to hang her first ornament.  Kerwin and Janine sent over this ornament for her (Winnie The Pooh - Baby's 1st Christmas).

This will be Emma's first Christmas and our first Christmas in the United States with family in town.
An exciting one....

It snowed a bit today...maybe we'll have a White Christmas??

Baby & Model Search

There are so many cute babies out there, but thought why not take a chance to enter Emma.
Vote for us if you can.....

Vote for me in this contest!

Contest details

Fuzzy Bee and Friends

Nix (thats Nicole my older sister) had given Emma this cloth book called Fuzzy Bee and Friends. I've been reading it to Emma almost every day and trying to have her feel the different textures in the book.

After bathtime last night, we sat down and read to Emma. Rod had pointed out how much more alert she was to the book, feeling the pages with her little hands, normally we have to take her hand to the book and have her feel it that way. She has also been wanting to "sit" up more, which makes it easier for her to touch and feel things now.

It's so cute to see her little hand scrunching the pages.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Need to lighten up your day?? Then best you watch this video.
Emma was laughing for us Thanksgiving morning and again when we pulled out the video camera she stopped.  I managed to capture a bit of it....if you're pressed for time, just watch the first minute, as the last part she gave up on us and wasn't that amused.  Think our lup de lup got a bit much for her....crazy parents!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

It's Turkey Day, the day you say what you're thankful for and eat your heart out.
I'm thankful for a healthy baby girl, a wonderful husband and all the family and friends (old and new) in our lives.  I'm also thankful that my Kungs is out of hospital and making progress with his recovery with the help of a full time nurse which takes the pressures off my gran and my family.  There is so much to be thankful for in life, but those take special mention today.

Today we were invited to Betty and Anthony (family friends) in Carrsboro and had a feast.
So much food (2 turkeys, lamb roast, glazed ham, and lots of sides) and dessert (chocolate cake, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, lemon meringue, and more), it was all delicious.

It ended up being quite a big day for Emma.  She did so many new things......

Little Miss Talkative...
This morning we woke to a pretty talkative baby, babbling away at us at 7am.  We can't get over how much more vocal she's getting.  We have noticed that at night time, closer to bath time is when Emma would be at her most talkative, but today it started in the morning and proceeded throughout the day, even at Betty and Anthony, telling everyone her stories.

I can laugh...
Emma joined us at breakfast and we watched a bit of the Macy's Parade, we played around a bit, horsey-horsey and got Emma to laugh for the first time, not just the "eh", but a full on laugh, we managed to capture a bit of this on video.  It was too funny.

Clasping Hands...
After a midmorning nap I peeped into Emma's crib to see her hands clasped together infront of her and Emma staring at them in amazement.

I know my mommy and my daddy...
Just the other day I was sent my baby's milestone for the week from Babycenter.com, it read:
"Your baby has been able to recognize you since he was just a few days old, but now he can actually be able to show it.  About half  of babies this age begin to exhibit an obvious recognition of their parents."
Well Emma proved this right...when we arrived at Betty and took Emma out of her seat, Betty greeted her, only to be greeted back with a very upset face and then a cry.  It happened with another visitor that approached her.  On the way to Betty and Anthony Rod had questioned whether Emma knows us and if she'll go to his mom and dad in December.  It may take some getting used to, but I'm sure after a few encounters she'll be fine.  Emma was happy to talk to everyone as long as she was in mom or dads arms.

Naptime in my portable crib...
Several times we'd put Emma in her Chicco Portable Crib for a nap in the day (at home), and most times or all times we only get a few minutes out of her.  Well today we got an hours nap and a 45 minute nap, and this was possible with all the food preparation going on,  people talking and singing around her and piano playing.  She knew however, to wake as soon as we started eating.  Her timing is always spot on.

Thats a lot in one day....right now she's winding down after a very busy day with different faces and sounds around her, lets see how long she sleeps tonight after all the stimulations of today.

This was our first visit to someones house with Emma over an extended amount of time and we can't believe how well she did, she stuck to her routine despite the new surroundings. And everyone just loved her to bits and of course got tons of comments about her hair.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all.

3 Months

Emma is now 3 months old. This newborn stage is going way too quickly.

Is this really the last month that I can spoil her by letting her sleep on my chest or rock her to sleep. All the fun things are about to begin where she can associate things, know what will get mom and dads attention, although it feels like she knows how to do that already. Some mornings she'll just give out a yelp, like hey mom and dad just letting you know I'm awake, you can pick me up anytime you're ready. She's pretty content lying in her crib, although there are days where she'll cry, mainly due to a stuffy nose.

Just last night I was thinking of the early days, which seem a bit of a blur to me. I sometimes wonder how I made it this far. Quite amazing how your body adapts to everything and you do eventually learn and go with your instinct.
I look back at Emma's pics taken at 5 days old, to think she was that small and just slept, now so much more alert, chubby thighs, talking and smiling. It definitely becomes more rewarding as she grows. Baby's are just an amazement, all these books that mention the stages of baby's and I watch Emma as we tick off all the things that she should be doing at this age....baby's just seem to know what they need to do. I'm just here to provide the milk and change diapers it seems, Emma leads the way. How do baby's know it's been 3 hours since their last feed, but like on the dot.

For the past 4 nights, 3 of them Emma slept for 8 hours straight in a row, to wake at about 4am or 5am for her feed and then would sleep again until about 7am or 8am. Last night however she went back to her 6 hour, 3 hour, 3 hour....I must say my body battled with that change, amazing how quick my body was able to adapt to the 8 hour waking and really struggled at the 6 hour waking. My body was spoilt for those 3 nights. Rod had to help me out.

Emma is not a good napper during the day, if we're lucky she'll go down for an hour at each of her naps. Lately the arms seem to wake Emma, we swaddle her, yet she manages to wriggle her way out and get her hands free, only to upset herself and not be able to sleep. We need to figure out a way to stop that from happening, feel bad always wrapping her hands to her sides. We try leave her to cry and self soothe, but that doesn't always work. We tend to give in easily when we hear her crying even though we know she's just trying to sleep. We'll figure out a way that works, eventually. If anyone reading this has advice, please share.

What else has 3 months brought....just more and more love. Mommy and Daddy love to hang out with Emma. We're just happy to be at home and chillax, this grey rainy weather helps with that too. I've finally packed away the newborn clothing and 0-3's, so many cute outfits that she can't wear anymore. If our second chid is a boy, poor thing might just have to be happy wearing pink!! Actually the other day Rod mentioned that if we were to have another child, he doesn't know how he'll share the love! That, we'll cross when we get there. Everything is about Emma and I guess that is how it should be, Rod's birthday is coming up and I asked him what he would like to do, he said anything that Emma wants to do, or that we can do with Emma. How sweet is that?

It's definitely cooling down here in Carolina, all the winter woolies are coming out, and we get to dress Emma in these cute snug outfits. How cute does our little one look? At most we're staying indoors, staying away from the winter bugs.

Well as our little munch continues to grow, we'll keep cherishing every moment with her and be amazed at each new milestone she reaches, these are such exciting times....

I Love Talking to My Daddy

Last night after bathtime, Emma had a good conversation with her daddy telling him about her day.
I caught the tail end of the conversation before she started asking for her feed.

Hurray for 8 Hours

Emma broke her own sleep record....last night she slept for 8 hours!

I could not believe it, had to recount and rethink if I woke up to feed her at the normal 1am/2am feed. I remember waking up but not hearing her so obviously went back to sleep.

It's been raining and I swaddled her with her arms in, so not sure which one did the trick.

Funny enough just yesterday I was asking mom's at our "getting into shape class" what their baby sleep routines were like. Both moms said their babies were sleeping through.

One mom does the 11pm feed and gets 6/7 hours our of her baby, I was/am considering that method.

Tonight Emma went down the same time as last night, we'll see if it was a lucky night last night.

Emma's 1st Halloween

This was Emma's First Halloween. No trick or treating for Emma this year, unless mom and dad wanted the candy.

Our neighborhood was busy with trick or treaters, so cute to see all the kids dressed up and eager to get their treats. Charmaine was with us and had the opportunity to hand out candy and experience Halloween on Rustic Wood Lane.

We have many years of dressing up and trick or treating to look forward to with Emma. Mom and Dad will have to get their butts into gear and dress up one of these years too. Maybe we'll be the Three Bears next year :)

Thank you Aunty Ang for the halloween outfit! I had every intention to make her a little witch hat, but just didn't get to it.

2 Month Update

Emma is 2 months already (now 2 months and 6 days). We went for our doctors visit on the 22nd and Emma is now weighing 10lbs 3 oz (4.6kgs) and measuring 22 inches long. In that one visit she got 3 vaccines (1 oral and 2 jabs), poor thing, she cried so hard.
She's gaining consistently, which is good. We are defintely seeing her fill out, cheeks, arms, legs, tummy...you will see below.

These 2 months have gone by really quickly...we're always learning more and more about Emma, and she sure keeps us entertained with her daily developments and progressions.
Her smiles are slowly turning into laughs, she manages to hold her head higher at tummy time and she beginning to play on her playmat (when I say play thats just more smiling and cooing at her toys and occassional bat at the toys).

So far Emma seems pretty friendly, smiling at just about anyone and anything. We are so proud.

She still sleeps a lot and has given us one night of 6 hours sleep this month. That was great going, we hope to have more of that. Definitely have our bouts of fussiness before bedtime, sometimes trying, but when she's down after that and asleep for 4 hours, it feels like bliss. I've been reading "The Happiest Baby on the Block", it's an interesting read and the concepts work as I read, if I'm lucky though I'll be done reading it when she's 3 months, when I can no longer use the 5 S's to get her to sleep.

Can't get over how fast Emma is growing...had to post these two pics.
This was Emma's going home outfit when she was born (given by Heather) which now fits her pretty snug. The weather was warm today so took up the opportunity to dress her in it.

Be careful what you wish for!!!

Emma will probably hate me for this one day.
But while Kerwin was here I thought he could feed her and burp her.
During the burping session I kept rooting for a big burp, well I surely got what I wanted from her...as I said be careful what you wish for. Go Emma!!!
(I'm happy to report though, that the projectile vomiting has improved, we haven't experienced it for about a week now...just the normal spit up! shuwee!!!)

Dad comes home today!! YIPPEE!!!

Emma talks with Baby Coo's

Tonight Emma surprised me with a longer than normal cooing session. Heather had come over to celebrate my birthday with me, by making me a dinner and bringing over a bottle of wine. I had placed Emma on her playmat and left her to do her thing - this is what we got. She seems to be getting used to the toys - before she wasn't phased. So great to see her progressions in life and capture them on video for you all to see.
(You may need to listen carefully for her coo's - mommy tends to talk to much at times)

Emma Smiles

First video footage of Emma's smile - they're happening more frequently now. Emma is almost 7 weeks old. Please excuse the mommy commentary

I never thought having a baby would be difficult...well not the having but the looking after and caring. You don't hear moms talk about the difficult first few months, and it had me wondering if I was the only one having a hard time getting through this, and does this make me a bad and incapable mom?

It has been reassuring that I'm not alone, as I speak with more people that have had babies, I hear they've all gone through the same emotions and phases. So shew...it's not just me!

They all say it gets a lot easier...I'm 7 weeks in and I have to say that it feels as though it's getting easier, but I say it with hesitation as I do not want to jinx myself. We've been out and about in the car, going to restaurants with succesful feedings when called for. Emma loves the car rides and seems to sleep through the hum of restaurant noise.

Despite the "hard times", everyday brings such delight seeing and holding Emma. You kind of overlook the hard times. There are so many things that I love about her - her tiny breathes on my cheek when she rests her head on my shoulder, her little snorts when she cries, how her tears squirt out (I think due her tear ducts still forming), her whole hearted cry as though her world is coming to an end, how her hair raises as she pushes to make her #2, the way she places her delicate hands one above the other when she sleeps....the list can go on....She's growing before my eyes and just everything about her amazes me.

Emma is definitely more alert these days, her smiles are happening more frequently than before, she's starting to "talk" more, and she's able to track things, I love it when her eyes follow me, makes me feel special. Today I noticed her eyelashes are appearing, hope they grow, grow, grow, although between Rod and I we don't have long eyelashes, so it's wishful thinking. Now don't laugh, but I tried to capture her eyelashes...



We're going through our 2nd growth spurt tonight it seems, feeding every 2 hours. So thought between feeds I'd update our blog.

This past week we had our next visitor, Kerwin. He mainly came out to see the U2 360 Tour, just happened that Emma was around too for him to meet..hehe. It was really great seeing him again and have him meet Emma, aswell as share some of his ideas and insights on baby, since he's experienced having a baby just over a year ago. We managed to take him around and see a bit of NC, also got to eat a good amount of BBQ, definitely BBQ'd out now.



Rod left for Hong Kong for 10 days - it's only been 2 days home alone with Emma.
Definitely miss having daddy around, but so far we're managing, just nights like tonight are tiring. Why am I blogging then you ask when I should be sleeping...??
Before Rod left he got me my favorite cake from Guglhupf, early celebration for my upcoming birthday, the BIG 3-0!!! Goodness, 30, married and a mom!

Fall is here, weather is cooling down quite a bit. So right now I'm trying to get Emma to wear as many of her summer outfits as possible, sad to think she'll never be able to wear them again. This is one of my favorite outfits.

Well best I get some shut eye, a few more minutes before the next feed. Until the next update...Good night!

Red Eggs, Lay See & Family

Our baby is One Month old already....it's crazy how time has flown.

I don't know if I can even remember what I've done this past month, besides change poopy diapers, feed, feed, feed and survive on 4 hours of sleep or less.

I think my body is now used to no sleep or having to wake up in bright eyed and bushy tailed mode when Emma wakes in the middle of the night.

Quite amazing to see how quickly babies grow, Emma is already giving little smiles, baby coos and gurgling, her legs are now touching the bed/chair when I feed her, and my arms are getting tired from carrying her - she's putting on good weight.

At her one month check up she weighed in at just under 9lbs (3.9kgs) and has grown 2 inches longer.

We hit some hurdles during our first month, like Emma's refusal to breastfeed for 2 weeks after giving her a bottle. With help from a lactation consultant and perseverence we have managed to get the breastfeeding back to where it should be.

Other things like blood in her diaper, gunky eyes, bloody umbilical cord, had us rush to the Dr, always to be told that it's all normal.

Other happening this past month...Mom & Dad made a trip out and spent 3 weeks with us, later Aunty Ang, Uncle Kev and Moi joined for a week. It was so great having them spend time with us and getting to know little Miss Emma. Mom took great care of us with her cooking, cleaning and night time reliefs. Thanks mom and dad! Nothing better than having family around, just gives you that sense of reassurance too.

We were all together to celebrate Emma's Mun Yuet (one month celebration), just a small family dinner, red eggs, pork trotters and seeyow chicken - yum yum.

Emma was spoilt by everyone - time just went by too quickly, just as we got used to everyone being around, they all had to leave.

Now its' just Rod, Emma and I - the house is really quiet. We're looking forward to our next visitor/s though- Kerwin, followed by Charmaine, then Rod's family. Going to be a busy few months. Just so lucky to have family come out and visit.

Wonder what the next month has in store for us...we'll just have to wait and see.

Birthing Experience - Picture version

I had written about our birthing experience, now I have pictures.

We were lucky enough to have Penny Noell capture our special moment.

I have watched this over and over again - I'm so happy we had the opportunity to have this done. It is so good to relive the moment, brings tears to my eyes each time.

The pics may not be the most glamorous.....but the final result is the best for us!!!

You can view the slideshow here - www.pennynoell.com/emma

Our Birthing Experience, one week ago today

I started typing this last Saturday....and only getting to post now...where has my time gone??

I've never known for 2 or 3 hours to go by so quickly...

Last week this time (06:45pm) I had Emma on my chest - I thought at that stage I would be crying my eyes out, but after the long delivery I think I was more relieved than anything, but also overcome by this new being in our lives - finally she's here, she's ours and I can't believe we made her.

Looking back, our birthing experience was a great one. I do remember saying moments after delivery that I would never do that again, and if I did I would opt for C-section or epidural, get it over and done with, or pain-free. We'll have to see....

So Emma was due August 21st, a little dissapointing reaching that date and no baby or signs of baby coming any time soon. I had my weekly check that day with Dr Piscitelli, we did the normal fundal height measurement and checked the heartbeat rate, we also proceded to do a cervix check to see if there was any action happening down there, to find out that I was 1cm dilated and at -1 station (this was a good thing, -3 baby is still floating above the pelvis, and +3 the head is crowning, 0 baby's head is engaged).

Dr Piscitelli scheduled an induction for September 1st, which I wanted to avoid - just had to hope that things would happen on their own before then.

I had been feeling the normal braxton hicks during the previous two weeks, however after the appointment I felt them becoming more intense, but didn't think too much about it.

That night Rod and I were deciding to go out to dinner (Cheesecake Factory) and a movie (Time Travellers Wife) before baby arrives (this could be our last weekend alone), but because I was a bit uncomfortable we opted to go the following night and just have a nice dinner at home (Zucchini Risotto and Salmon) and watch a DVD (Milk). During the movie I started to time my contractions out of curiosity to see they were happening every 8 - 9 minutes.

We went to bed and at about midnight my contractions were timing 7 - 8 minutes apart. I tried to sleep it off, but was woken at 3am with more pain, this time measuring 6 -7 minutes apart, I was up on the hour until about 5am when they were measuring 5 -6 minutes. I still remember saying to Rod I can't imagine going through these contractions for a week.

By 6am we called the Dr, who recommended we go to the hospital to be checked out.

I was a little hesitant as I didn't want to go and then be told to go home (what if I wasn't timing the contractions right?), so thought I'd see how much longer I could last. Rod made me breakfast, which I battled to eat, we then started to get ready for the hospital.

We left for the hospital at 7:38am (I remember we had classical music playing in the car, which was so dramatic had to tell Rod to switch it off), and by 08:30am I was hooked up to the monitors. Dr Piscitelli was on call that weekend, so when I saw her, I asked what she did at the check up. She said sometimes it just one check up to tip you over once full term.

I was told I'm not going home and that I'd be assigned to my birth and labor suite, not to eat anything, liquids only and to walk around to help the process.

At 9am I was measuring 3 - 4 centimeters, and then at 10am 5cms, so Rod and I estimated that by 3pm we'd have our baby (not knowing that, that is NOT how it works, there is still the pushing), we were run through the process of an epidural should I wish to have it, and general anesthetic should an emergency arise.

Because I was at 5cm and was told things happen quickly from here, I opted not to go the epidural route and try for natural.

Venus was my nurse that day, she was so great, as soon as we were assigned our room she started prepping me and the room - getting all the equipment, blankets, etc...Rod was getting really excited, saying she's coming soon, she's coming soon! Venus just said she likes to be prepared for any surpises.

Going through the contractions were pretty painful - so much worse than menstral cramps.
Because each phase got worse and worse, I don't think I remembered how the previous contractions felt. To get me through the contractions we used the birthing ball, hanging onto Rod and rocking side to side, squatting, eventually all I could do was lay on my back I did not want to move cringing at each contraction and trying to manage it with my breathing - which I have to say really helped. I was measuring 8cm at 2pm and then given the option of having my waters broken to speed things up. So either I could delay the next level of pain, or I could get to it quicker - my choice. Rod kept saying to have my waters broken - I guess he was eager to meet his little one (he says he wanted me to get out of the pain quicker).

It took me about an hour to decide to have my waters broken - I wanted to make sure that even if they broke my water I'd have as much time as I needed to give birth naturally. Venus said if they have to stay for 12 hours after my waters break they will give me that time. That was reassuring.

By about 4pm I reached 10cm, I was told I could try pushing if I felt the urge. We pushed twice but I wasn't getting it right, so we left it. Venus also said baby's head was slightly tipped so would be best to change positions basically kneeling and holding onto the back of the bed, so baby could fall into correct postion and try pushing as though I'm having a bowel movement. The pain to move into a different position.

The best advice that Venus could have given me was to sit on the toilet, as the brain will automatically think oh I have to do something if i sit on the seat. I asked what if baby comes out - they all just laughed and said they'd catch her. So there I was on the toilet hanging onto Rod, such a glorious sight, pushing with all my might.

I lost concept of time by then, but I'm thinking that by about 6pm, I felt that burning sensation they call the Ring Of Fire, Venus said as soon as I feel that I need to get back to the bed and try real pushing. No idea how I walked from the bathroom to the bed, but I did. And we started pushing. Rod holding my hand and leg, Venus providing more support, a student holding my other leg and Dr Priscitelli at the end of the bed - they brought the lights and mirror - real pushing was about to begin. I was laughed at when I asked if I have to push Emma's entire head out, I thought they could possibly grab it and pull her out. Venus said, "You have to push her out right till her feet." We saw our baby's head slowly making its way down the birth canal, about 2 pushes in I was asked if I wanted to touch the head, but I remember shouting "No, just get her out!", but later as she made her way down I eventually felt her head and a whole lot of hair she had. It took about 4 big pushes with breaks inbetween until Emma came slipping out.

I just heard Dr Priscitelli say, "come quick dad", Rod grabbed her as she came out, I just reached down and held onto Emma feeling for her legs, arms, head. They suctioned her and we heard her cry, as everyone says such an incredible sound. Apparently everyone in the room but me were crying. Hope that doesn't make me a terrible mom.

Rod got to cut the umbilical cord and baby was brought to my chest - I could not stop caressing her and kissing her. The smell of her still sticks in my nose. I remember looking up at Rod and he had tears in his eyes - his heart was melting already. When I asked if he wants to hold her, he said, "Of course".

I had a few minutes with her until they took her away to make sure Emma was fine. They said her nostrils were flaring so little concerned about that. They drained her a few times.

Overall Emma's apgar score was 9, weighed 6lbs 13,5oz, 19.5 in long, head circumference 13.2in, abdominal circumference 12.5in. She had to go to the nursery to have her bath, but at that time there was a shift change, so we only got Emma back at 11pm. We managed to go watch her have her first bath.

While waiting for Emma, I was on such an adrenaline rush - smsing everyone and emailing. I thought I would be tired, all I wanted was to have my baby back.

Rod did such a great job being at my side, his poor hand has never been squeezed so hard so many times - everyone at the hospital commented on what a great husband he is. I could not have gone through this without him. I know he couldn't stand me being in pain, but he didn't faint on me or walk out of me.

After all my concern of which hospital to have baby at, I'm glad I chose Duke University. The Dr and nurse that I had that night were so supportive of every decision I made. Thinking it was a teaching hospital I thought they'd be quick to use medical intervention. I was wrong about that.

So overall a great birthing experience, and now we get to enjoy our little bundle of joy.

First Baby Shoot

Yesterday, August 28th, Emma had her first baby shoot.

As a gift from Rod to me, we had Penny Noel come around and take a few pics of Emma at 6 days old. She was such a trooper, 3 hours of manuevering and placing her in all odd positions, which I have to say were so cute. Amazing how flexible babies are.

Emma slept through it all, no worries in the world - just woke once to be topped up with some milk - models do get thirsty you know.

We cannot wait to see how the photos come out....it's going to be a hard to decide which ones to print I'm sure.