"For This Child I have Prayed" - 1 Samuel 1:27

September third will never be just another ordinary day.  Now it is the day that our own special gift from God, Emily Grace Bird, came into our lives.  The picture above shows the very first time I laid my eyes on her and to me, this picture says it all.  My wonderful husband cradling our new baby and giving me the sweetest look while my baby girl looks at me for the first time.  For just a moment, I felt like the world stood still and it was just the three of us.  It's like a feeling I've never ever known!


Well, getting to that special moment was no piece of cake I assure you.  We first checked into the hospital on Wednesday, September 1 at 4:00.  They started Cervadil on me which is a medicine that is supposed to help dilate my cervix.  The next morning at around 5:00 AM, I had no change however, the baby was big so we started the pitocin anyway.  At 9:00 AM Thursday, September 2, Dr. Reddy broke my water and thus began my labor journey.  Believe me when I say, Epidurals are a miracle!!  I took mine around 10:30 AM if I remember correctly. 


It wasn't until 11:00 PM that I began to push.  Trevor and my mom were in the room with me to help me through the whole process and thank God they were because after three hours of pushing, I was wanting to give up so bad.  Trevor and mom both gave me the confidence to keep going even though my epidural medicine had run out (the anesthesiologist was in a c-section and couldn't get to me until an hour later).  So I was in extreme pain and not having much progress and that's when Dr. Reddy told me that Millie wasn't going to come naturally.  She was just too big and was sunny side up.  She had literally gotten stuck in the birth canal!  


A cesarean definitely was not in my birth plan, however at that point I just wanted her out of my belly so I quickly agreed.  As they wheeled me into the operating room, I got really scared. You see, I've never had any type of surgery whatsoever so being in that bright, cold room was definitely intimidating.  Thank God for Trevor is all I have to say.  He was by my side the whole time and made me feel like I could go through with it.  To be honest, I was so exhausted that I was fighting to keep my eyes open (it was about 2:50 AM at this point).  


Finally, Dr. Reddy held up this beautiful creature and said, "Here she is!!"  and I got to see her for a split second before they whisked her off to the other side of the room to get checked out.  Trevor ran over to where she was while I waited quite un-patiently to get sewn up.  The second Trevor got to her, he stuck out his finger and she grabbed on TIGHT!  It was such a special moment for the two of them and I know that she definitely knows who her daddy is.  Here's a picture of that moment...

Then I finally got to hold my angel at around 4:00 AM

Emily Grace Bird born at 3:05 AM

8 lbs. 8 oz. 20.75 inches long

I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much.  She is definitely worth all the pain I went through.  I'd do it over and over again in a heart beat.  A special thanks goes out to all the amazing nurses and doctors who attended us for the six days we were in the hospital.  You are all very special people and an important part of our daughter's life.  Thank you!!

We finally got to bring Millie home on Labor Day.  We introduced her to the dogs and Ellie loves her to death and is constantly watching her.  If she cries, Ellie is by her side in a second!   Max isn't quite sure what to think just yet but he's warming up to her.

The dogs meeting their new sister for the first time

Keeping watch over her new little sister

And now the Bird House is complete!  We couldn't be more happy or more blessed!