Emily Elizabeth Ivester arrived into this world on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 8:16 am. She weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches. What a true blessing and gift she is from the Lord! We are so in love and SO thankful for our new baby girl. Here is her story:
Our little family of three lived it up in the days leading up to Em's arrival. We cherished every second together as a family of three (not that we weren't super excited for Emily...we just wanted to soak up all of the time together before she arrived). We went to the pool, ate out, spoiled Cadybug, and just cuddled night and day. Monday night (the night before we went in to the hospital), us three went to Cracker Barrel and pigged out (this is now a tradition for our family before having a baby). I ate the same meal as I did the night before going into the hospital to have Cadence: country fried steak, apples, hashbrown casserole, okra, sweet tea (we got dessert from O'Charley's to go). I don't normally eat this much, but knowing I couldn't eat for 24 hours really motivated me to pig out. :) After our meal, we came home and settled in. Mom and dad spent then night so that they could get up with Cadence early the next morning to go to the hospital. Matt and I climbed in Cady's bed, cuddled her, read to her and said prayers. Then, Matt and I headed to bed to try and get some rest. It was like Christmas Eve. :)
At 5:00 am my alarm went off, and we jumped up to shower, pack a few last minute things and got ready. It was extremely surreal to know that we were about to go to the hospital to have our second child. Emotions were crazy. I was excited, nervous, anxious...everything under the sun! Matt and I looked in on Cadence, kissed her, headed downstairs, took some last minute pics, kissed my parents and headed out the door at 5:30 am. We got to the hospital right on time (about 6) and they took me straight to a room to start my IV and take blood, etc. Mom, Dad, Cadence and Matt's fam arrived about 7:15 and hung out with us until they took me back at 7:30.
Everything happened so quickly. I heard, "Okay, Daddy, wait right here." I looked behind me (I was laying in my bed) and I saw them take Matt to a room to wait in while they did my Spinal. At that moment tears began to come because here I was, going into the "unknown" without my husband. My sweet Dr. (Dr. Alt) helped soothe me and hugged me as they put the spinal in. Before I knew it, I was laying back on the table, numb and Matt came back in. Everything happened so quickly. I remember feeling really nauseated, but bless the anesthesiologist's heart he jumped right on that and pumped me with some good meds. Next, I heard Dr. Alt say, "Daddy, do you want to see the head?" Matt looked and told me that she looked just like Cadence. Then, I heard the precious cry and they brought Emily over to me and yes, she looked just like Cadence in that moment. The tears began to flow. I was already head over heels in love with my new baby girl. Any fears that I had of being able to love her like my first (irrational I know haha) were completely gone. This girl had me wrapped around her tiny, precious finger from the beginning.
The next 45 minutes were spent being sewn up and Matt would go back and forth between me and Emily to check on us. Emily's oxygen levels were really off and we were told she'd be taken back to the NICU until they were regulated. I was a little concerned, but the peace of God completely overwhelmed me. I knew she was in good hands. They brought her to me one more time, I kissed her on the head, and off she went. I didn't see her again for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. I was told it may be that evening before she would be able to come to me, and I wasn't able to be rolled in the NICU because of my C-Section. Matt was able to go back there a few times and check on her, send me pics, take, video, etc. Family came in and out to hang out with us. They were all so patient and sweet (especially Cadence)-having to wait forever to see Miss Emily. Finally, at about 12:15 I called to the NICU, and they said Emily was doing great and I should have her in about 20 to 30 minutes. I was soooo excited. I was ready to hold my daughter for the first time, kiss her, check her out, etc. At about 12:15/1:00, my nurse told me she was going to get Emily and bring her to me. My gosh I was about to pee my pants!! :)
Me and Matt had decided that we wanted Cadence to be the first to see Emily, and then our families could come in. They brought Emily about 1:00 and I scooped her up and loved on that girl. We had a great moment together, Me Matt and Emily. Matt prayed over her and it was just a precious moment. Matt then went out to get Cadence and brought her in to see her baby sister. She was so excited! She ran in and said, "Baby Emily!! Mommy, she is out of your tummy!" She hugged and kissed her. Emily got a little fussy and Cady (while holding her) gave Emily her (Cady's) yah yah (which is her precious gem) and rubbed Emily's forehead with her hair. A few months ago I had told Cadence that when she was a little baby I would rub my hair on her head to get her to calm down and sweet Cady remembered and did the same for her little sister. What a precious sight! We then gave Cadence her gift from Emily (a beautiful bracelet) and gifts from us (a big sister and little sister doll and a tinkerbell doll). Next, our family came in and we had quite the celebration!
We are so tremendously blessed! We had lots of visitors in the hospital and support, which was great! We had a birthday party for Emily (which really excited Cadence). The hospital gave us a big sister tshirt for Cady and Strossner's cake to celebrate with.
The hospital staff was wonderful to us, but I was definitely ready to go home. I missed Cadence tremendously and just wanted to get home to some normalcy. My doctor let us go home a day early and I was so excited! My recooperation has been so much easier than it was when I delivered Cadence. I am SO glad I chose a C-Section. :) When Dr. Alt delivered Cadence she said, "I am so glad you chose a C-Section. She is a big girl." Thank you, Jesus for confirmation! :)
Thursday around noon, we were discharged and were able to come home. Cadence and Mimi greeted us at the door and Cadence was so excited to see us. She immediately kissed her and put all of her favorite things in Emily's carseat. Cadence has truly been the best big sister ever! She has ran to her every time she's cried to love on her and give her a yah-yah. She has wanted to hold her first thing every morning and kiss her. She just all around loves her baby sister! I am so happy!
It has been SO good to be home. My precious, selfless mom has been here every night and day since we've been home. She has cooked, cleaned, gotten up with Cadence in the morning, stayed up at night with Emily one night, etc. She has been our lifesaver! THANK YOU, MOMMY! Emily has been an amazing eater and sleeper. She has had some trouble with gas, but hopefully we are getting that under control. I truly feel like I am living my dream. I have two precious girls, a wonderful husband and an amazing family. I am feeling better day by day and getting off of my pain meds slowly. I still have some pain and can't do things, but it is 10X better than my recovery with Cadence. God is good!
Me and Matty at 5:30 am about to head to the hospital
Last belly shot before Miss Emily's arrival
Me and my girl before I headed back for the C-Section
Our last family of three pic
My first time holding sweet Emily
Completely in love
Me and Dr. Alt, who delivered Emily
Daddy, Mommy and Baby Emily
Cadence's first time seeing Emily.
Me and my PRECIOUS girls!
Best Big Sister Ever!
Daddy and his girls
Us and my precious parentals
Cadence loves giving Emily her pappies
The hospital pics sure have improved over the years. They did such an amazing job!
I am IN LOVE with my two girls
Heading home :)
Cadence was SO excited to have us come home!
Cadence gave Emily all of her (Cady's) favorite things when she got home.
My precious family!
First thing every morning Cady wants to hold and love on Emily
Her first sponge bath
I don't know why this is out of order, but sweet BeBe and Poppy loving on Emily
