1 Month Birthday!

11.15.10.

When Emma was one month old I could not believe how quickly the first month had passed by! Emma at this point was around 8 pounds. Still wearing newborn diapers and newborn clothes. Emma nursed every 2-3 hours at this point for a total of 10-12 feedings per day. Baby girl loved her milk! Our most difficult time of the day was between 6 pm and 1 am. We would call this time of the evening "witching hour" although it lasted several hours! Emma got the hiccups a lot during the first month.

Our big event the first month was taking our first road trip with baby love to Dripping Springs, Texas for Meredith and Blake's wedding on November 5, 2010. Emma was 3 weeks old for this trip. Emma did well on the car ride until we got to Austin and were stuck in 5 o'clock Friday night traffic! Then she screamed until we arrived at the wedding location. Baby girl is such a sweet baby and we love her to pieces! The pictures below were taken during her 1 month old photo shoot!

 YAY I am one month old today! 11.15.10

Emma you are absolutely precious!

Pictures during the Newborn Days

Here are a few pictures of my little adorable baby girl during the early newborn days. When I look back at these pictures she looks so incredibly tiny and sweet!! Most of our time was spent sleeping and getting in lots of snuggles and cuddles!

You know you are tired when you sleep like this!

The swing Grandma Carolyn got for Emma

Newborn clothes were just too big!

First bath experience! Not a good one!!

My sweet little pumpkin on Halloween - 2 weeks old

Welcome Home Emma!

To my precious Emma,

Coming home with you was a dream come true. It was a moment I thought about for such a long time. When we arrived home, I rocked you in your beautiful nursery and we had a moment just us... Mother and daughter together. We rocked and listened to a lullaby CD quietly playing in the background. I softly touched your face, your sweet little nose, counted your 10 tiny fingers and toes, and watched your chest rise up and down with each breath you took. At that moment, with tears in my eyes, I truly felt we were meant for each other. It's a time I will remember forever. I felt so privileged and blessed to be chosen to care for you, protect you, and most importantly love you. You are a miracle from God and I am forever grateful.  I remember feeling a little sad because as each second passed I knew you were slowly growing up. I felt like I wanted to stop time and just re-live all of the newborn moments with you. Now as I write this 8 months later, I realize that just when you think this time in the present is the best you could imagine. In reality, this is true, the best is yet to be...

I love you more than words can say.

Love, Mommy

So happy to be home with our little family!

The Early Days!

The first days at home were spent trying to catch a wink of sleep whenever possible. I don't think I did any cleaning or household chores including make dinner for at least two weeks! Emma would wake up every 2 hours or so to nurse and would sleep in between feedings. Jackson was a big help and changed a multitude of diapers and helped me whenever possible. We were so fortune to have Jackson home for one week and the second week he only went back to work half days. I was having several issues with breastfeeding, including mastitis when Emma was 7 days old and thrush when Emma was about 6 weeks old. I had a lactation consultant come out to the house when Emma was only a few days old. It's funny how in the breastfeeding classes the instructors paint a beautiful picture for you. It kinda goes like this... you will deliver your baby and life will be wonderful, you will be skipping through a field of daisies and breastfeeding will go smoothly.... WRONG for me! This may be a little TMI but I was seriously thinking how could I know so much about breastfeeding and it be this difficult to nurse?? Not only was engorgement after my milk came in an issue but my right nipple was cracked and bled nearly every time I nursed Emma. Somehow I persevered, probably because I am very stubborn and I knew I didn't want to give up. There were several days where I considered giving Emma formula and just giving up. Around the time when Emma was 8 weeks old it was almost like the clouds parted and the sun shown down on us. Everything was better, and breastfeeding was the amazing experience that I had heard about so many times. Emma and I finally figured it out together and nursing has been great ever since. We are going on 8 months + exclusively breastfed! So my advice for new moms having breastfeeding issues...call a lactation consultant or someone from La Leche League ASAP and keep trying! IT DOES GET BETTER, I PROMISE!!  When it does, it is truly an amazing thing. I cannot describe the bond I feel between Emma and I. It just makes my heart smile!

My favorite breastfeeding items:

• My Breastfriend Nursing Pillow
• Motherlove Nipple Cream (I tried Lansinoh Lanolin cream and did not work as well for me)
• In the very early days with engorgement issues and mastitis Nuk Warm or Cool Relief Packs were amazing!
• Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads also were a lifesaver during the days with nipple cracking
• Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
• Bebe Au Lait Hooter Hider for breastfeeding in public
• Good nursing bras and nursing tank tops
• Medela Harmony Pump & Medela Pump in Style Advance Electric Pump
• Medela Breastmilk storage bags

Announcing our Baby Love!

Emma Jean Miller
6 pounds 8 ounces & 19.5 inches long

Friday October 15, 2010

8:01 PM
Perfect.

Pregnancy Highlights: Medically induced at 39 weeks for Factor V Leiden.

Birth Story: Jackson and I were told at my weekly Dr. visit at 38 weeks that we would be medically induced at 39 weeks. We were told to pick what day we wanted Miss Emma to arrive. We decided 10.15.10 would be a great birthday. Our bags were packed, car seat was safely installed in the car, and we were very excited! My OB told me to call L&D Thursday night to see when I could come in to the hospital. When I called at 7 pm I was told that there were too many women in labor so I couldn't come in and to call back at midnight. So Jackson and I decided we should get some dinner and try and relax. We couldn't go to sleep because we were so excited about the events to come. At 12 am I called the hospital back to see if we could come in, I was told still no room and they would call me. Somewhere between 2 and 3 am I finally fell asleep. I woke up at 5 am no phone call so I decided to call myself. They finally told me to go ahead and come in at 7am. 

We arrived at the hospital and immediately got our room. I had been having contractions on and off since I was 32 weeks pregnant. When the nurse first checked me I was already 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced on my own. After getting settled in, my nurse started the nasty Pitocin medicine around 8 am and my OB broke my water. Initially the contractions were not too bad. I tried various methods of relaxation that we learned in our childbirth class. Meanwhile, Mr. Jackson decided he should get caught up on his sleep before Baby Love arrived.

Everyone wore pink to meet Emma

My wonderful nurse checked on me frequently to see how I was handling everything while she increased the Pitocin. During the day I had a few visitors come by to say hi. I probably was not the nicest person to be around as the afternoon wore on. The contractions were pretty strong and very close together about 1 minute apart. This made labor pretty exhausting. My nurse would increase the Pitocin but then my contractions would come on too quickly without getting stronger. To give myself and Emma a break the Pitocin had to be cut back some. Around 2 pm my nurse checked me and I was 6 cm. This is when I started vomiting (I know, lovely!). I tried massage, listening to heavy metal music, and other breathing techniques to try and get me through the pain of labor. At some point between 2 and 3 pm I made the decision that I wanted an epidural. Immediately after the anesthesiologist placed the epidural I felt relief. I was able to nap and rest up for delivery. My nurse and OB periodically checked me throughout the afternoon. At 6:50 pm my nurse checked me and said I was 10 cm and was ready to push. We did a few practice pushes and she called my OB to come to the hospital for Emma's delivery. It was difficult to know when to push because I couldn't feel a thing. My OB arrived around 7:30 pm and with a few pushes Emma was delivered safely at 8:01 pm. 

My sweet Baby Love!

So This is Love!

Very Proud Papa!

We had many wonderful family and friends come visit us in the hospital and even more when we made it home. We stayed 2 nights in the hospital and received the all clear from my OB and Emma's pediatrician that we could go home! We are so blessed to have those around us who care so much and love our family.

Headed Home!!!

Recap of Pregnancy with Emma

So I will remember, a brief recap of my pregnancy with Emma. Jackson and I found out we were pregnant on Valentine's Day (2.14.10). I took the test that morning and I could not believe my eyes when it said "Pregnant." I somehow kept it a secret from Jackson all day. I'm surprised he did not think anything was out of the ordinary or wonder why I kept smiling all afternoon. We each opened up our Valentine's Day gifts that morning. Later on, I surprised him and put the pregnancy test (in a plastic bag of course) in a gift bag and told him I forgot one more gift. I had the camera next to me, ready to go and took this picture of his reaction.

It was the perfect Valentine's Day present! We celebrated at Sullivan's Steakhouse for dinner that evening! One of our favorite restaurants!

Our first doctor's appointment & ultrasound was on March 2, 2010. I was 6 weeks and 3 days pregnant with Emma. We were told our due date was October 22, 2010. We were absolutely elated to see the little heartbeat flicker on the ultrasound! We told immediate family around 6-7 weeks and waited to tell family, friends, and coworkers until 12 weeks.

We heard Baby Miller's heartbeat for the first time on March 31, 2010. It sounded like galloping horses. The heartbeat was near 160-165 beats per minute. Grandma Carolyn said she knew it was a little girl with that fast heartbeat! It is amazing how quickly Baby Miller grew. From our first ultrasound at 6 weeks to our next one at 14 weeks, 4 days. 

Bump Picture at 16 weeks - Ryan's Graduation from A&M

On May 25, 2010 at 18 weeks, 3 days pregnant we found out Baby Miller was a GIRL!!!

We kept our sweet baby girl's name a secret for the entire pregnancy. But behind closed doors we talked to Emma and called her by name once we found out we were expecting a baby girl! I have loved the name Emma for many years. Even before I met Jackson in 2003 I knew if I had a baby girl her name would be Emma.

 Bump Picture at 30 weeks 

Bump Picture at 34 weeks - Jackson & I went to a A&M football game!

Bump Picture at 36 weeks - Before our Couples Baby Shower in Lake Jackson!

Bump Picture at 38 weeks - At Meredith & Blake's Halloween wedding shower. Exactly one week before Emma was born. Jackson & I went as Bleaker & Juno from the movie Juno (see movie poster below).

Likes during pregnancy: 

• Anything peanut butter!!! Seriously, I think I bought anything and everything that listed peanut butter as an ingredient. Items included, peanut butter crackers, nutter butter cookies, peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter out of the jar (used on toast, celery, apples, or just eaten off the spoon!), Reese's peanut butter cereal, and many others! Funny now I don't really care for peanut butter anymore...I wonder why! 
• Feeling Emma move around in my belly. Emma moved around in my belly the most after any time I ate and around 10 or 11 pm just when I was ready to go to bed.
• When Emma would get the hiccups in my belly.
• Hearing Jackson talk to Emma in my belly.
  
• Shopping for baby girl clothes, bows, and SHOES!
• Not having morning sickness!
• Seeing my belly get bigger & bigger. I loved being pregnant!

 Dislikes during pregnancy:

• CHICKEN! I think my food aversion started after eating Pollo Rosa Maria from Carrabba's. I despised chicken the entire pregnancy.
• Getting up to pee at least twice each night.
• Sleeping during the third trimester. 
• Daily Lovenox Shots

To prepare for Emma, Jackson and I took several classes at The Methodist Hospital. The classes covered Breastfeeding, Infant Care, and Childbirth.  Overall my pregnancy with Emma was so wonderful! I was induced at 39 weeks on Friday, October 15, 2010.

Welcome to the Blogging World!

We have finally decided to start a blog! We hope this will keep family and friends updated on our little family. I wanted to have a way to document Emma's growth and milestones. As each milestone passed (smiling, laughing, rolling over, crawling, and first teeth) I found myself running to her baby book to jot down the dates and a few details of the event but kept thinking to myself I need to start a blog! I've always thought blogging would be a perfect way to accomplish this, but never sat down to start the process. Some of the early entries will be documenting older events until I get caught up to the present. Thanks for reading!