Emma's 1st holiday.

I was so excited for our first "family" holiday together.  I thought sweet Emma looked so precious.  I dressed her up in this little outfit the day before the 4th.  I had it made for her.  Say's "Miss Independence"  Isn't she adorable???

On to July 4th...We got up that morning and didn't plan on going anywhere, just staying home spending the day together.  Well, Lori went with Jessica for a couple days so when Joe's mom called and asked us to come up we thought what the heck.  So that gave me ever right to dress my princess up.  :)

Our first family holiday picture together.

My little Miracle and I.  I still can't believe she's mine.  

After spending some time with Joe's family, we went on over to my Mom's house.  They were grilling so we decided to stay and eat.  Emma was getting all the love from everyone to.  

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July as we did.  I am so thankful for my life now.

God Bless!!!

Already rolling over.

My sweet angel is growing up.  :(  She rolled over this past Tuesday, July 2, 2013 for the first time.  I had her laying in her baby bed for a nap and when she woke up and I went to get her I realized she was no longer on her tummy.  I was scared and sad all at the same time.  I'm not ready for her to not be my baby anymore.  She's only 3 weeks old, TODAY, and technically she's still a baby but with her already rolling over that means she's growing up super fast.  BOOHOO!!!

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.