And also Happy Bday today to Raf, who is significantly older than Emma. Happy Belated to Aunt Ker-Bear and Laura and Uncle Bob. Happy Early to Zoe and EZ. I think this covers it for July, but I’m not getting birthday cards out this month, so you’ll all have to settle for this not-so-public recognition. Thanks to you all for being in our lives. Love you!
OK, here’s a spooky thought. My due date for Emma was Monday, her 4-week birthday! Wow! She is a beautiful, calm and happy baby, and we are so blessed!
This week, big brother Max decided that Emma needed a new name. But before that story, a bit of exposition. Now, I know Emma is an insanely popular name right now, but it has been my pick for over a decade – promise! It has nothing to do with anyone named Ross or Rachel, and everything to do with that incredible, intricate and very human character created by Jane Austen – “Where shall we see a better daughter or a kinder sister or a truer friend.” Actually, we decided against it for this child because of its popularity (hello, I was born in the seventies and my name is Jenny), but we could not find a name that fit our little girl better, so Emma Katherine it is. Incidentally, we found out recently that my great-great-great grandmother was named Emma, so there’s a family tie too! And, for those who wonder about these things, her middle name is a tribute to my closest childhood friend, Katherine Kristowitz, who died tragically at the age of ten. She was a truly beautiful soul, and I am honored to have my daughter share her name.
But back to her NEW name, as bestowed by Max. He told us the other day that she needed a new name, and it is… Savannah! He has now taken to calling her Savannah off and on, especially when she is upset or crying, and he’s even scolded us for using “Emma”. Leave it to Max – he does like things HIS way.
One more little update – Emma is finally able to wear some of her “newborn” outfits! The preemie stuff still fits too, but some of the smaller 5-8 pound onesies are coming into the rotation! Yay!
I know it sounds cliche, but I cannot believe three weeks have gone by since little Emma joined us outside the womb. Life is so good!
Last week was a challenging adjustment as Aaron went back to work, but we’re starting to get a rhythm as a family. My sweet girl likes to stay awake and chat in the middle of the night, and sleep for long stretches during the day, when her Mommy can’t just lay down and sleep along with her. But, we’ve reached a compromise the last few days. As long as I get my morning nap (oh, thank you, thank you, Noggin and Public Television!), I am able to function and actually be a whole person during the day, rather than the shadowy, mumbling, half-asleep version of myself.
This week we made the switch to full-time cloth diapers, which fit a lot better since Emma is filling out her skinny body. They have been wonderful, and a lot less work than I anticipated. But, they do make her have the biggest (and cutest) bubble-butt.
And we took our first mommy-and-daughter bath tonight, which Emma just loved! Max joined us too, and we had a really warm and loving experience. I think it’s obvious we have a future Lush addict here (she does take after Mamma, and Max already loves his “special baths”!)
Speaking of Max, our amazing son is the best big brother. He helps me with every little thing, and wants to be near Emma all the time. I don’t know how I’d be able to manage without his help, and we try to have some special play time every day when he’s the absolute center of attention. Some special one-on-one time with his Meemaw, Poppy, Uncle Ernie and my visiting Aunt Susie has been the perfect solution to his extra energy when I’m exhausted. And every single day, Aaron and I look at each other and share moments of amazement that we love Max more and more – he is this awesome, caring, sensitive, wise person who grows and becomes more incredible every day!
Every day is an adventure here in the Wadley household, and we’re loving every minute of it! I just have to remember to be thankful for those middle-of-the-night feedings! 
I am so blessed to be the Mamma to two beautiful, amazing beings! Thank you!
Our tiny girl is already two weeks old! I can hardly believe it, though my sister Keri says it feels like she has been here months already. It better not be months – I’ve hardly gotten enough sleep for one week’s time, let alone two or more.
Emma has changed a lot over the past week; it is amazing how much she grows every day. Although we don’t have an updated weight, she seems to be gaining a little. She is still only fitting into preemie clothes, but our friends Amy, Carl and Zephram delivered a well-appreciated bag of preemie clothes today, so now we have more than three outfits from which to choose! (Less frequent laundry, yay!)
Our daughter is quite the vocal little person – she makes all sorts of cute sounds, as well as many loud and strange ones. And I won’t even mention the sounds that come from inside the diaper! She’s also a wiggle worm – she won’t stay on her back for long – she turns to her side almost immediately, and today she turned from her side to her stomach.
Another two-week achievement? Her umbilical cord stump fell off today, so we can finally give her a proper bath! I just adore the smell of freshly bathed baby, especially when the baby is my own and I get to hold her little body all wrapped up and warm in a soft towel, and breathe in her sweetness.
I’m trying to drink her all in… I know the days will pass… and the weeks will pass… and the months will pass… and the years will pass… and she will never be just as she is right now, soft and warm and trusting, wanting nothing more than to be cradled against my body. I’m living this blissful moment in love.
The Wadley family is adjusting well to our new status as family-of-four, and the sleepless nights are coming back into clarity for Aaron and me. (We love Current TV and the Travel Channel show Made in America, plus I have a stack of girly movies to rewatch – with a romantic comedy/British/Hugh Grant/Colin Firth theme happening).
We seem to be having an easier time of it this go-round, as we have actually managed to shower and retain some semblance of personal hygiene. (Don’t just trust on this and stop by without calling – it is still much safer for all of us if you call first.)
Emma is a tough little cookie – she had jaundice and we went for heel-stick blood tests three days in a row her first week, but her bilirubin levels went down on their own, and she didn’t need any light therapy like Max did. She is a very content little person – doesn’t fuss or cry much – just when she’s getting changed or when I’m trying to actually talk to her before handing over the “milky”.
Her weight went down to a low of 4 pounds, 13 ounces two days after we left the hospital, but as of her follow-up check-up with the pediatrician on June 5 (she was nine days old), her weight was back up to 5 pounds, 4 ounces – only 1 ounce shy of her birth weight! Yay! The pediatrician, Dr. Hera Nahar, actually called her “feisty” and was really impressed with her strength and how she holds her head up. Go girly!
We’ve been a bit challenged with her clothing options, due to her diminutive size. Even the couple of “preemie” outfits our friend Laurie picked up were way too big. So, we picked up a couple more preemie choices this week that fit a lot better, and we’ll just have to wait a while before she can wear all of her adorable dresses and gift clothes. Luckily, Nana bought her several newborn outfits (technically 5-8 pounds, but the sweet little white and blue dress we tried for the fourth of July was enormous), so those are our next clothing benchmark. She’ll be one well-dressed little clotheshorse.
Well, that’s all for now in the Emma report – stay tuned for updates every Monday.
Another darling and insightful Max quote, speaking to his sweet baby sister Emma – “We are all here together – Max and Mommy and Daddy, and we will protect you. Our house has lots of good things so there are no monsters. We are all here.” I love his wisdom!
Our little girl, Emma Katherine Wadley, made her entrance on her own terms – four weeks early and after two days of induction and one push. She was born on June 26, 2006 at 4:41 PM, a tiny little thing at 5 pounds, 5 ounces and 17 1/2 inches long. She is so beautiful, with long hands and feet, a lovely head of light brown hair and the cutest little nose! She is also a wonderful baby – a champion nurser and pooper already!
Big brother Max is completely smitten with his baby sister – he wants to hold her and kiss her all the time, and gives her the sweetest encouragement when she fusses – “It’s alright, baby Emma, I’m here. Max is here. I know it is hard but it will be OK.” Life is so beautiful and we are so blessed!