A Goddess in a Cave in the Woods

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!