December 2, started like this... a normal day with Christmas music, lines of trucks, & our Harry Potter puzzle. We were really trying to do that puzzle quick and finish before our induction date, December 8.
Justin has been hard at work finishing his Masters degree in Sports Management through Utah State. I'm so proud of him. On top of his full-time job, traveling, being the best dad & husband, church callings, and everything else, he is constantly looking and preparing for the future so he can provide and take care of us.
This week was the last of his final semester!!! He had everything planned out to finish before baby girl came.
But our plans changed in the best way and this is what the morning of December 3 looked like.
I had visited Dana the afternoon of December 2 for my final acupuncture appointment, and to confirm everything with the hospital for the following Monday. After checking me, she said it wouldn't surprise her if I saw her later that evening to have our baby.
I went home and Justin and I made our game plan. We coordinated with friends to watch Logan, cleaned the apartment, packed our hospital bags, and had our last night as a family of three. Logan and I made his favorite applesauce muffins and we watched a family Christmas movie.
After putting Logan to bed, my contractions were stronger and we went to the hospital. I am SO thankful Justin's schedule has been lighter with less travel. My biggest fear preparing for delivery was that Justin wouldn't be home when it happened.
We made it to the hospital and angel Dana was waiting for us. Justin and I acquainted ourselves with the stairwell as we climbed up and down for 30 minutes, my contractions growing stronger.
An hour later, Emery Claire Bean was born. It was a quick delivery after Dana broke my water, with the most painful contractions I've ever felt. We decided to not do an epidural because it would slow things down. I pushed for 20 minutes and Emery was here.
I can't imagine experiencing that without Justin. He's my everything. & I can't believe we have a daughter! A little girl we get to teach and love forever.
The bummer about this hospital was Justin had to leave each night, as I was in a shared room with another woman and her baby. That was definitely the low of the whole experience, but we knew that would be the case thanks to previous experience. We're just grateful that Emery and I were both healthy.
I was soooo happy to leave the hospital. They wanted us to stay for at least 48 hours so they could do routine testing, but we opted to leave early and Justin brought Emery to Dr. Hundt the next day (super dad!). It was time to get out of there and home to Logan.
Last time being at the Kreißsaal (labor and delivery)!
Emery's first taste of music in the world was a mix of Michael Bublé, Phil Wickham, and Justin Bieber Christmas. Driving home from the hospital as a second time parent felt much less stressful, thanks to good health and past experience. I'm so thankful recovery has been smoother this time around.
I missed Logan so much while we were at the hospital. I was so happy to see and hug him. We are SO grateful to Sam, Ana, Claudia, Timna, and Tabi for taking care of and loving Logan for us while we were gone.
His reaction to meeting Emery was so cute. Claudia had helped him practice saying, "big brother" and he was eager to be a big brother and hold her. Logan noticed Emery's blue eyes and pointed out her mouth and nose.
Every time Emery heard Logan's voice, she opened her eyes to look at him. <3
We got to rest while Justin went straight to the kitchen and whipped us up some homemade soup, bread, and fruit. He's my hero.
Logan wanted some credit too.
You are so, so loved, Emery Claire. We're so thankful you're ours.
Justin went back to practice after Emery was born & found these in his locker. Bless his teammates! Maybe they'll last us until the end of the season.
