Tanner Traditions: June 2013

Sunday, June 30, 2013

First Dr. Visit....8 Days old.

Emma is still wearing her newborn clothes.
She's still wearing newborn diapers..Starting to get a little snug though
.Not sleeping through the night. She has been getting up about 3 to 4 times during the night to eat.
She eats about every 2-3 hours...Sometimes at night we sill go a little longer before feedings.
Other than feedings, we really aren't on a schedule. I have tried and tried to be but she has one more temper and if she don't want to do something she's not gonna do it.
She has the hiccups and sneezes a good bit. It's cute because after she sneezes she smiles real big. So precious. I'm so surprised the hiccups doesn't make her mad. Most babies getting fighting mad but not Emma. She acts like it's nothing.
She loves to ride in the car. She can be screaming when I put her in her seat in the house but as soon as we crank the car she instantly hushes. Spoiled little girl. :)
She doesn't really cry much. Just mainly when she's hungry. When I feed her before bed, I swaddle her and lay her in her pac n play and she drifts on off to sleep. I'm so thankful for that.
Since she still has her umbilical cord, she only gets a bath every other night. But once that thing falls off she will get one every night before bed. I think baths before bedtime is what will help her to rest better. Right now she's laying in the sling that holds her above the water so the umbilical cord doesn't get wet.
Emma Katherine loves tummy time. She loves to lay on her tummy. She is starting to try to hold her head up. She will have full control of her head before long.
She loves for Joe to sit and hold her. Every evening when he gets home from work he will shower then pick her up and they will talk together. :) She will just lay and look at home in amazement. I think she loves her daddy.....Just a little. :)

I finally picked Emma a pediatrician. I chose Dr. Heather Taylor at The University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. The reason I chose her is because I am in Tuscaloosa more than anywhere else so I decided it would be best to have one there. Plus the office is only a couple minutes from Joe's work so hopefully he will be able to attend her appointments also.

On June 21 at 8:30am was Emma's first appt. She was diagnosed with Jaundice the day she was discharged from the hospital so we had to get her in asap to have that checked. She was good. She was jaundice free.

Aunt Jeshia had to take us because daddy had to work and use mommy's car. She was so excited so thank goodness we weren't a bother. These pictures uploaded out of order but oh well. lol She weighs 8.6 lbs, 74th percentile. Height is 20.3 in, 72nd percentile and head is 13.9in, 70th percentile. Growing like a weed.

When Emma was just a couple days old, I took her to the park and took pictures of her. I thank they turned out pretty good if I did take them myself. HAHA! I would have LOVED to have hired a photographer to take them but with having to hire a lawyer and pay for the adoption of Emma, plus we spend around $600 while in Mississippi, I just didn't have the money. :( It's a bomber but we will get straightened back out once the adoption is done. :) Anywho, here are the pictures from that day.

Aren't they just adorable?? I think so. She is my little Miracle baby girl. I am so thankful for her.

These 2 are my most favorite. I know I can't take credit for her beauty, but she is soooo beautiful. These pictures were taken around my house.

1 Samuel 1:27
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.

AMEN!!!

Nothing but pure beauty....

My little Emma Katherine. :)

Our first weekend at home.

Yes, you read right....WE GOT TO BRING EMMA HOME WITH US!!!

WhoooHoooo....We made it though our first night. It was sooo amazing. Emma Katherine was such a good baby. I wasn't exhausted...Yet, so it wasn't so bad getting up at night.

I just can't get enough of my little miracle from God. :)

Introducing Emma to the Yorkies. They didn't know what to thank of her. HAHA

Snug as a bug in a rug. HAHA!!!

Joe's first Fathers Day with Emma.

He may not look excited since this was a before daylight picture...But I assure you he was on cloud 9 to be up holding the miracle we have prayed for for many years.

Happy 1st Fathers Day, Daddy...ILY!!

After getting out of church, we had some people come to see Miss Emma.

Stacey and Blake with Emma.

My little Bubba Do. :)

Erica, Addie, Monica, Bethany, Kayla, Jessica and the Girls all came back this day to see Emma aswell.

Ok...I have now caught you up on the first couple days of Emma's life. I'm not gonna go into much detail of our daily lives from now on but I am gonna start hitting the high points as in DR. Visits, and things Emma has started doing. I hope you enjoy watching/reading about her life as much as I will enjoy sharing with you.

Stay Tuned.

Emma Katherine's Birth...Part 3(Coming home)

On Saturday, Joe and I were a total box of nerves. We felt in our hearts that Rikki and Keith were gonna change their minds about giving us Emma.. We were heartbroken. When we woke up that morning, we only had enough time to shower quickly, pack everything up, and check out. We were right on time.

We found things to do while waiting on Rikki to get discharged from the hospital. Our first stop was Captain D's to eat. We were starving and was unsure when they were gonna get discharged to eat together so we just ate by ourselves. While we were eating Rikki called and said they had brought her the discharged papers, just waiting on them to actually release her. Nerves came quickly after hanging up the phone with her. Our phones were blowing up people wanting to know if we were headed home yet. Neither one of us answered the phone because we didn't know what to say. I think EVERYONE was scared the birth parents were gonna change their minds also. :(

After eating some lunch, we went to Walmart. I was unsure if they would send bottles of formula home with Rikki or not and I needed to make sure I had food to feed her while on the way home. Plus, somehow, Emma's passy's got misplaced so I needed to go get her some new ones before heading home. About the time we were heading to check out Rikki called and said they were leaving the hospital.

We met them at the mall.The ride there was sooo nerve wrecking. I was sweating at the palms. I felt nauseated to say the least. Was this really about to happen??? Was I really about to get my baby girl???? When we all parked and got out of our cars, Keith got Emma out and handed me her seat. I was shocked. :)) We go in to eat and it seemed like the walk was taking forever. I know it was just because I was anxious. After sitting down at the table, we talked about Emma and what all the dr's and nurses said about her. I found out she had a touch of Jaundice. After they were through eating, we headed back out to the car. I, again, carried Emma's seat. :))

When we got back out to our cars, Keith and Joseph started transferring Emma's things from Keith's car into mine. Rikki got Emma out to hold her. She was crying and loving Emma up. It broke my heart to see my sweet niece so upset.

My beautiful niece, Rikki Leigh Stewart...Emma's birth mom.

Keith held her again. He was also heartbroken. :( I was so upset seeing them so upset. I couldn't stand it. They are soo brave and for that I am so thankful.

He loves his baby girl so much. I wasn't to sure about this guy to begin with. I thought he was going to hurt my Winkie Doodle and I wasn't gonna have it. But he proved me wrong over and over. He is such a real man to be so young. He has stepped up and was with Rikki during her whole pregnancy. Not only did he make sure she ate right, took care of herself and Emma, he also made sure she was doing great academically. He's an amazing guy and I am so glad Rikki Leigh has him. I hope in the next few years they get married and start a family of their own.

The last picture I have of Rikki, Keith, and Emma. but it definitely wont be the last. I love these two so much and Joe and I are so thankful for the gift of Emma they have given us.

After Keith held Emma, she handed her to me. Rikki was so sad. I turned and handed Emma to Joe and I tried to comfort my sweet Rikki Leigh. I really didn't know what to say other than I would take care of Emma to the best I can and that Emma will always know her and Keith. I'm sure I wasn't much help but I tried. :((

After starting down the road I just cried and cried. Joe wasn't sure why I was crying so hysterically because I had Emma. He said I cried all weekend because I thought she was going to change her mind so why am I still crying. He didn't understand that even though I was super excited I finally had Emma, I was heartbroken for Rikki. I hurt for her so bad. I cried for 2 hours. :( I just couldn't stand that fact that my happiness...Something I have waited my whole life on, was something that had broken her heart into a million pieces. After texting Rikki and her telling me she was ok make me feel better.

Were going home.

We only had to make 1 stop on the way home. Emma got hungry, needed her diaper changed, and we needed gas. Emma gave me my first poop to change IN THE CAR. HAHA!!! I didn't mind. Then when we arrived in Tuscaloosa we stopped by Chick fil A to grab a bite to eat for supper before heading home.

The entire time Jessica was texting me ready for us to get home. She wanted to be waiting at the house when we got here. Well, since Joe's parents house is on the way to our house, we decided to stop by there first. They were so excited to see Miss. Emma.

Joe was feeding Emma. Dub was super excited for her tog get done so he could hold her. :) I'm so thankful they are happy to add her to the family. Joe and I both were worried they wouldn't but they are.

Daddy feeding his baby girl. He is so in love with her.

Once we got home everyone started flooding in. But before everyone got here, Joe wanted to take my picture as I took Emma into the house. I look rough, but I love these pictures.

Sooo excited to have my sweet girl...~~FINALLY!!!!!~~

Oh yea...Taking her into the house. My little miracle.

Of course Jessica and her clan had to be the first ones to arrive. HAHA!!

Jeslyn holding Emma for the first time.

Hannah and Emma.

Bethany, Kayla, and Emma. :)

MeMe and Emma.

MawMaw and Papa with Emma.

This was the first night at home with this little blessing.

God is sooo good..Even though we may not think so when things don't go our way.

I saw this the other day and It reminded me of me. I spent many many years trying to conceive and not understanding why I thought God didn't see me deserving of this dream. Now I understand..And I'm so thankful for my sweet Emma. She is more than I could have ever ask of God.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Emma Katherine's birth..Pt.2(The story)

As you can tell Emma's birth story will be split up into many different post. Hope you enjoy.

Rikki Leigh was scheduled to be induced Thursday morning, June 13. At 1 am she woke up and her water had broke. She was scared and woke up her dad and explained to him what was happening. Their conversation, "Dad, I think my water broke." "What makes you think that?" "My pants keep getting wet!" "Ok, Call the hospital...KEITH!!!"

Rikki called us on the way to the hospital. She had already called her mom, which was good since she could get there faster anyhow. She was in lots of pain and I felt so bad for her. :(

I was shaking and scared to death. I just knew she was going to go into labor before I got there and I was so upset about it. Since we were prepared to head out in a couple hours anyway, we just had to throw all the last minute things together. I had to shower real quick before we left while Joe threw everything in the car. We were showered and headed out within 20 minutes of Rikki's call.

We left here at around 2 and arrived there around 5:30am. I think we made good timing. Yes, I agree, I was flying because I wanted to make the delivery.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Mandy met us outside. The labor and delivery floor was the top floor of Forest General Hospital. It has it's own parking deck and all. So we just got to park right out side the hospital door which was nice. Mandy led us into the Rikki's delivery room. She was sleeping finally. Shortly after we got into Rikki's room, the nurses came to check up on her and turned Emma's heart rate monitor up. I took it uppon myself to video record it on my phone to have it for this blog.

The most beautiful noise I have EVER heard until she was born. :)

The wait for Emma to be born was soooooo intense. Joseph and I were so excited to meet that sweet girl. Everyone there knows we were adopting her, but some made me feel very uncomfortable. Everyone got a long but there was sooo much tension. Lots of people to support Rikki and Keith and sweet Emma and for that I'm so thankful.

Emma was born at 10:55 that night. It was awesome. I have never been so happy, excited, and scared at the same time in all of my life. She was perfect in every way..ESPECIALLY with that dark hair. HAHA!!! Joseph and Lee were the first ones to come in to the room after Emma was born. Joe was crying before he even entered the L&D room which was sooooo sweet to me. When he saw Emma he melted. He was instantly inlove with that sweet girl. Rikki held her first, of course..Then Keith, Me, Lee, then Joe. Not sure the rest of the line after Joe. HAHA!!

For the next couple of days we all just hung out at the hospital with Rikki, Keith, and the baby. Everyone, coming and going...holding Emma. She got pretty spoiled at the hospital. :)

The day we brought emma home will be a post all on it's on.

Emma Katherine's birth...Pt.1(pictures)

Emma Katherine is HERE!!! She is now 2 weeks old. Soo sorry for making you wait on her birth post but I have been trying to adjust to being a new mom and to try to get in some sort of routine. I'm gonna let the pictures speak for them self, somewhat, but I will put some captions on some of them. :)

Birth Parents:

Keith Martin and Rikki Leigh Stewart.

Joe feeling Emma kicking for the first time. So sweet.

Rikki and I. She had just gotten some medicine to help with pain.

Us feeling Emma kicking. :)

I couldn't get enough. :) There were many more pictures taken that day while waiting on Emma to arrive but I was just posting the most important ones to me. :)

Emma was born on June 13th, 2013 at 10:55PM.. YES, she made us wait all day!! Birth story to come soon. :)

Baby nurses getting ready for Miss Emma's arrival.

OMG..HERE SHE COMES!!!

My beautiful angel baby. GOD sure knew what he was doing when he gave this baby to her birth parents. So thankful Joe and I get to raise her. :)

This is me getting to cut the umbilical cord. Mandy, my sister, didn't get a good picture of it but this is such an AWESOME picture to me. :) I know what I was doing even though you can't actually see it.