Emery - 1 Month

A little update about Emery's first month of life-

one week old

one month old

 Emery has been such a joy and a wonderful baby.  I think Nick and I had really low expectations for parenthood.  We were expecting a baby that screamed and cried a lot and being so tired that we couldn't think straight- both of which very well could have happened.  But Emery has pleasantly surprised us.  She is laid back and easy going and has been a great eater and sleeper.  Pair that with lots of help from her Grammy and the rest of our family and we have had a very easy transition into being parents.  Plus, no one can possibly explain how much you are going to love your child and that makes every middle of the night feeding and poopy diaper a joy.  We have been trying to enjoy every little moment because the time is already flying!

Eating:  From the first time Emery nursed, she just got it.  All the nurses in the hospital couldn't believe what a good little eater she was.  I feel very blessed that this has been so easy.  She eats every 2-3 hours  (or more when she's going through a growth spurt) and will let you know when she is hungry!  There were times that first month when I thought she couldn't possibly be hungry because she had just had a great feeding, but turns out she was.  She got her first bottle around three weeks.  Nick gives her a bottle every night around 10:30 as a "dream feed."  She took it like a dream and never seemed to notice the difference.  This way I could go to bed and get a longer stretch of sleep.  Nick loves feeding her, so it works out well for all of us!

Sleeping:  Emery was very sleepy the first few weeks, which I think is pretty normal newborn behavior.  She slept most of the day and pretty well at night.  Since the very beginning she has been sleeping in her room.  The first couple weeks she slept in her bassinet but then transitioned to the crib no problem.  Nick and I would both go in multiple times a night to check on her.  She would wake up around 1:00 and then again around 4:00 or so to eat.  Sometimes she would want to stay up and party in the middle of the night.  Grammy stayed with us a lot those first few weeks and she was a lifesaver.  I would get up and feed Emery and then pass her off to Grammy and go back to bed. Grammy would change her and then put her back to sleep (or stay up if Emery wanted to party.)  That way we all got pretty good sleep.  

Nick was able to take off a little over a week to stay with us and then work shorter hours for a few weeks after that.  It was such a special time and I cried when he had to go back to work.

First Easter in her bunny gown- 3 weeks

Emery had lots of family and friends come visit her that first month.  Her aunt, uncle and four cousins even came all the way from London to see her!  Her big cousins were so sweet with her, wanting to hold her and share their toys with her.  I am so thankful she has them to grow up with!

Emery would get a sponge bath every night in the sink.  She started out hating it so much but after the first few times she grew to love it, especially having her hair washed.  

First bath at home

Some times when Grammy stayed with us I would wake up in the morning and Emery would have a new outfit or a hair bow in her hair.  Her and Grammy would play dress up while we were sleeping.  I called it her middle of the night makeovers :)

A preemie size outfit since all her newborn clothes were too big at first.

first hair bow 

We watched a lot of basketball those first few sleep deprived weeks- ACC and NCAA tournament time

Sleepy girl!

We had an unusually cold March this year.  Emery spent a lot of time in this sweet hat her Aunt Laurie knitted for her.

Emery saw the pediatrician at 5 days old, 2 weeks old and 1 month old all for well checks.  She gained her birthweight back very quickly and each time the doctor told us she was perfect!  Of course we agree :)  At one month she had to get the second hep b vaccination.  We both cried.  After a minute or two she was back to normal!  We are so thankful for a healthy baby.  

Growth-

1 month

Weight- 9 lbs 9 oz- 57th percentile

Height- 21 inches 39th percentile

size newborn clothes

Emery Kate Scheuer

Emery Kate Scheuer was born on Monday March 11, 2013 at 5:03 pm.  She weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.  She is absolutely perfect and we are so in love with her!

Emery was exactly a week late.  In fact I was scheduled to be induced that Monday morning.  My doctor scheduled the induction the week before, but kept saying she doubted I would make it that long. Well, Sunday the day before the induction, I was still very pregnant and also feeling uneasy about being induced.  Nick and I were really hoping and praying that Emery would decide to come all on her own but it seemed like we were running out of time.  We spent the day doing things around the house and had a romantic dinner of grilled steaks.  It was a strange feeling going to bed knowing that tomorrow was the big day.  The hospital would call between 5 and 8 am to let us know when to come in.
Around 4 in the morning I woke up in pain.  I tried not to get to excited, but then when another one came about 10 minutes later I knew I was having contractions!  I would walk through the contractions and then lay back down and try to sleep in between.  Finally I woke Nick up at 6 to tell him I was in labor!  I took a shower and packed up last minute things.  We sat on the couch and watched the Today show for distraction and timed the contractions. When the hospital called around 8:30 to tell us to come on in we happily informed them that I was in labor and would see them soon!  All morning we had been talking to Nick's mom on the phone. She warned us that we shouldn't wait too long because I could progress quickly and the hospital was 45 minutes away.  Right after that conversation the contractions became quite painful and I decided it was time to go.  While Nick showered and packed the car I paced the house, telling him I wasn't sure I was going to be able to sit in the car.   I made it in the car, but did not speak the whole way to the hospital.

They had a room waiting for us when we got there and we checked in immediately.  Labor progressed pretty quickly.  After the epidural, I was able to enjoy the day.  Nick and I were able to visit with our family and he even caught a quick nap.  Around 4:00 the doctor informed us it was time to push!  I remember thinking "okay this is really happening!"  After 30 minutes we met our sweet Emery Kate for the first time!  Words can't express what an incredible experience that was.  I will never forget it!

Now for tons of pictures!

Seeing Emery for the first time.  She stared right at me.

Such a proud dad!

Our little family

Meeting her Aunt Laurie

Proud grandfather

Meeting her Grammy

Learning how to swaddle from the expert

Sweet sweet girl!

Wednesday morning we were discharged from the hospital.  Emery did great in the car and didn't even make a peep!  It was surreal leaving the hospital with a baby.  We kept saying "I can't believe they are letting us take her home!"

 




More to come soon!