Meet Emma Ann

Sooo...life never does turn out like you expect.  My hubby and I left last Thursday on vacation.  We were going down to North Carolina to attend an ICES convention (cake convention...yes, they have them!).  I planned on posting all sorts of fantastic vacation pictures when we got back.  But, like I said, life doesn't turn out how you expect.

Friday morning, my daughter Tessa, decided to go into premature labor.  You can imagine my shock and dismay when I realized I was going to miss the entire thing!  I was 8 hours away, and there was no way I was going to make it there.  Luckily, my mom and my daughter were with Tessa, so she had a great support system with her.  And the fantastic medical team at Southview Hospital actually let my mom keep her cell phone on during the entire operation, so I got to hear the entire thing, including little Emma Ann's first cries!

So, instead of vacation pictures, you get something much, much better....baby pictures!!!!!  :)

Emma Ann was born on Friday, August 5th.  She weighs in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces.  She's a little one, but she is a little fighter.  She's breathing on her own, she's digesting her mom's milk, and we're so hoping we'll be able to bring her home in a couple of weeks. 

So, on to Emma Ann!  As a new grandma, you just have to know I'm going to post a ton of pictures!!!!!  This is my very favorite picture of her.  She's so adorable with her little eyes open.  And you have to catch it quick, since the girl really does like her sleep!

After she was born, they did have her on oxygen for a little while.  Although she didn't need it, she was breathing on her own, it was just a precaution.  Now she just has a little IV to help her with fluids and vitamins.

And I love, love, love her little chicken legs.  (Although we'll be much happier when they're big, chunky, baby legs, since then she'll be able to come home!!!)

And once I FINALLY got to the hospital, we were able to go into the nursery and watch Tessa hold her baby for the very first time.  What an amazing experience! 

And here's me, my beautiful daughter Tessa (who looks incredible 48 hours after a C Section!!!) and our adorable Baby Emma!!!!

This is one of those times, where I am just so overcome with how proud I am of my entire family.  My mother was with Tessa every step of the way.  She filled in when I couldn't be there, and she's the only person I could've trusted my baby to.  My daughter Chelsey was also with Tessa the entire time.  She recorded every second, she provided Tessa with anything she could possibly need after the surgery, and was such a huge help to her sister.  My wonderful husband, who didn't mind one single bit that we left behind our paid-for vacation to get home, and was just as anxious as me to be with our new granddaughter.  And Tessa - who is so incredibly strong and is going to be such a wonderful mother.  Emma is one lucky little girl!