The "New" Love of Our Lives!!!

Emslee JoRene Gast, born March 21st, 2009. She was born at 1:44 am and weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

How She Arrived:

Well on Friday morning around six, Jill woke me up and informed me that her water broke. As soon as I came to (which was almost instantaneously) and asked her how she knew that her water broke. She pointed down and I saw a spot on our sheets, and then I heard a huge splash, (like a water balloon that just hit the pavement). Then I rushed in to wake up Karyn, (Jill's younger sister, who is living with us) to tell her the good news. After calling her midwifes, Jill found out that she had a few options of what to do next. Her choices were to either come in right then and be examined, or she could wait at home until she felt enough contractions to go to the hospital. She decided to stay home. Finally after six frustrating hours with no contractions, we decided to go to the hospital to get ready to welcome our little girl.

After we arrived at the hospital, we found out that she would need to be induced to start her labor. After she was induced she started to feel a few contractions. She really is an amazing person, after going through what seemed like an eternity (which was in fact six hours) Jill had enough of the pain and decided to have an epidural. Oh and after that she was in heaven. She couldn't feel her pain anymore and was just ready to have her baby. And then we played the waiting game. And we waited, and waited and waited until just before 1 am when Jill told the nurse it was time to deliver our baby. Push after push, Emslee was finally here. Oh and what a miracle it was watching our baby girl being brought into this world. And for being two and a half weeks early, baby Emslee is just fine. And the next day, after talking with the doctors, and having Emslee go through all of the tests they finally let us go home.

Currently the baby and mommy are doing great, with no problems. Emslee is the first to join our family and we welcomed her with open arms. She truly is a miracle from God. And to be honest after looking back at everything that went down in the past few days, things couldn't have gone better. She truly is beautiful. Our little Angel from up above in heaven is finally here. We love Emslee and we can't wait to see what the future has in store for us!

37 weeks today!

Today marks my official "to-term" date. My midwives say I could have this baby any day now. I cannot imagine better news! It could still take another 3 weeks, but hey I say we try to be optimistic!
At times I feel like this pregnancy has flown by, and then at other times it seems to have lasted an eternity. Thankfully it has been rather uneventful, other than 7 months of puking nonstop. I've started up with the whole nausea, vomiting nonsense again. Can I just verbalize what an annoyance it is when otherwise well-meaning people say, "Aren't you supposed to be over that by now?" Gee, you think so? Thanks! I'll get right on that! (Like I'm doing it by choice.....hmm maybe I do just want attention.)
Jason and I went and toured the hospital where I will be delivering her, and it made it all seem so much more real. I'm actually really excited about the hospital that we chose. It's up to date with all the new medical advances and tons of perks both for the mother and the "support persons." (aka, Jason and my cute mom.)
At first I was overwhelmed by the very thought of giving birth, but at this point I can't wait! I'm ready to do this! Keep your fingers crossed for me - I would love to have this baby early! (With my luck, she'll come super late.)

I'm gonna be a mommy...?

With only 5 weeks left to go, I've had the chance to really think about what lies ahead for myself and my little family. I'm so excited to have a baby and to be a mother. This last weekend my mom helped me get the cradle all ready with the new sheets, pillow, bumper pad, and quilt. It is so CUTE! And so very PINK! I finally feel ready for little Emslee to join our home. It's amazing how attached you can become to someone you've never even met. But she and I have certainly spent a lot of quality time together....especially at 3 a.m. when she decides it's time to start kicking mommy as hard as she possibly can.
Jason is so thrilled to become a father. Who would have expected that? He has never been around kids much, well until he married into my family, that is. Lately he's been like a little kid at Christmas, who can see that wrapped present under the tree and just can't wait to open it.
It's amazing how something you never expected or planned for can change your life in such a positive and exciting way. It's true that a baby changes everything. But I wouldn't go back for the world.