I can't sleep! I'm pretty sure it is pregnancy related- restless legs, heart burn, food cravings, an actively moving belly... so it got me thinking about my blog and how it is time to start!
There is a part of me that wants to go back and get you caught up on all the happenings of this past year- Living in an "Italian Villa", Emma's home birth, moving to our new home, our trip to Canada for Lindsay's wedding, Zach's massage therapy program, our trip to Utah and getting our picture taken for the Ensign, Emma's first Christmas, Emma learning to roll over, sit up, crawl and dance, Emma's first word/s, Emma's first Easter-egg hunt, the surprise chicks, Zach's music, my sewing creations, our daily summer adventures, Emma's first Birthday...these are all treasures I don't want to forget... But I know if I spent my time going back and getting caught up, I'd miss what's happening now!
A famous country song says it best: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a GIFT, that's why we call it the Present."
So my "present"to all of us is to start NOW! {and don't worry, I'll fill you in on the past as I go~ wink!}
It's hard to believe that it's been a year since our dear, sweet Emma entered our lives. Her birth was one of the most exhilarating, empowering and beautiful things I have ever participated in- I guess in part because it was ME giving birth to her!
She entered the world following a peaceful sunset at 8:55pm on Friday, July 2nd 2010, in the comfort of our home, attended by midwives, into the arms of loving and eager new parents. "A girl!" was born! A beautiful 10lb 2oz, 21 3/4in. long baby girl who would become the JOY of our lives.
As I held Emma, Zach held me, and tears streamed down his cheeks as the realization of his dream- to have a first born daughter- had come to pass. It was simply beautiful in every way.
Labor was short- just under 4 hours. I would not use the word "pain" to describe any of it. It was definitely intense, but in a very natural way. And honestly I wished I had had a little more time to master the pushing with contractions before she was born! My body just pushed her out on its own with very little help on my part- I think because I let it.
My mom and little sister were there, and afterward I asked Tessa if she had been scared by any of it or if it made her not want to have kids (she had only just turned 11 after all!) She smiled and said "Not at all! You were just like the sheep!" That was a compliment from one farm girl to another! I'm so glad they got to be there to experience that with us.
The next few weeks were spent enjoying our little creation and being in awe at the miracle she was. Every baby is a most precious gift from heaven and we were feeling that strongly. We were also having to adjust in huge ways- lack of sleep, "baby's schedule", and no time for each other were but few. But we managed and we learned and we prayed! And now we have a darling one year old who sleeps through the night, has a pretty routine schedule, who absolutely loves and adores us (as we do her), and who's every day is filled with laughter, exploring, giving kisses, developing in new ways and enjoying life to the fullest!
Oh how blessed we are!!!
Emma has such a love for "Temples and Babies and Jesus" that we made a little song of it as well as a little picture book with these, her most favorite things! It is precious to see. She is preparing well to become a big sister here shortly and will love this new baby more than anything. Every morning she wakes up and points to all the pictures of "babies" that she can see (mostly pictures of herself!) and says "BABY!" I can't wait for these two to meet!!!
Highlights of Emma's first year
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| Happy 1st Birthday Emma! --a few too many kisses ;) |
