Emalyn Grace

First Sponge Bath


Home from the hospital


All ready to go home



Daddy's first diaper change


Amazing Love



In labor...Right before leaving for the hospital


Emalyn Grace was born 9/18/09 at 7:37am.
She weighed 6lbs 30z and measured 19.25 inches long

I posted some pics above and then below wrote about her birthday. It is a little long (okay really long), but I wanted to include as much detail as possible because this blog is mainly for her someday :) Hope you enjoy!

39 weeks & Your Birthday!!!!

For "Emma"

So, I am a little behind on your blog. Mostly because at our 39th week doctor's appt. on 9/17/09 we got some exciting news that you would be born the next day! When we went to the appt. we were just hoping for some "progress" but doubting there would be any. However, the doctor reported I was 1cm dilated and 40% effaced. Then there was more news though. The doctor said you were breech and I was measuring small. This was a scary moment because I hadn't been feeling you move quite as much and I was so worried something was wrong with you. They did an ultrasound and nonstress test and thankfully you were fine (in fact they predicted you were going to weigh in at 8lbs). My fluid was just low and sure enough you were breech. The doctor then informed us that it would be best if we scheduled a c-section for the next morning. I experienced a flood of emotions...relief that you were okay, excitement that you would be here, but also a little disappointment that we wouldn't have the experience of rushing to the hospital, of me knowing what a contraction felt like etc.

Now, I laugh at that part...little did I know I would still go into labor overnight! Around 1 am I started having contractions, but was thinking "These are just irregular, they will go away". That was not the case. By 3am they were 2-3 minutes apart and regular, so we rushed to take showers, call the doctor, etc. Your Daddy was so nervous that my contractions were coming that quickly, but he did a great job getting things together and making sure we got to the hospital safely. We arrived 2 hours earlier than scheduled (5am instead of 7am) and they immediately got my information and started pre-op for the c-section. They did one last ultrasound to make sure you were still breech and you were. I joked w/ Daddy that it didn't surprise me and that you just took after me. I hate being upside down!

Pre-op felt like it took forever...mostly because of the pain! And while the pain was miserable, I felt blessed to have had the experience of labor and rushing to the hospital. The other reason pre-op took forever though is that it gave me way too much time to think. I was really nervous about being cut open while awake, having only had 2 hrs of sleep and feeling exhausted, and knowing that in just a little bit I would be responsible for a new life. I wondered "What if I don't feel attached?", "What if I wasn't a good Mom?"

After app. 2 hrs in pre-op they finally took me to the operating room. Your Daddy waited while I got my epidural/spinal combination. I was nervous too that it somehow wouldn't work, but within minutes the entire lower half of my body was numb -- so much that I couldn't resist laughing when they transferred me from one bed to another because of how weird it was to know my body was there but not exactly feel it. After they got me settled, they called Daddy in, who I was thankful to have by my side. The c-section went well (other than some shakiness and nausea) and I just tried to focus on you -- wondering what you would look like and if you would cry right away, if you were healthy vs. focusing on them actually cutting me open! I'll never forget it when the doctor finally said to your Daddy "Okay, about a minute and she will be here. Do you want to watch?" Daddy stood up to look and I looked at the ceiling praying that I would hear your cry when you came out and know that you were doing okay. Sure enough, you came out screaming & before I knew it they were rushing you over to the table to clean you off, weigh, and assess you. You weighted in at 6lbs 3 oz (weight off from their 8 lb prediction), 19.25 inches long. I watched with a clear view of you and Daddy while the nurses were taking care of you. While I thought you looked perfect, so tiny and adorable, I was shocked by the black hair! (It will be interesting to see if it stays, since my grandma commented that my mom was born with black hair, but then it turned blonde!). Then the most amazing moment of my life happened. I say the most amazing "moment", because while I have had many experiences that have touched my life, no single moment has touched my life in the way that you did after the c-section. Daddy brought you over to me and you were crying, but as soon as I started talking to you, you stopped crying and just starred at me. It was in this moment it dawned on me. You knew exactly who I was -- Your Mom :) What an amazing moment of bonding. It was in that moment I realized everything was okay. God had blessed us with a wonderful daughter and had given me the ability as your mom to take care of you. I don't mean in the sense of always knowing right away what you would need, but in having that special connection with you.

We spent 3 days in the hospital and thankfully my c-section recovery was faster than normal. I took very little pain medication after the first day and was up, showered, and ready to go. This allowed us to be able to keep you in the room w/ us all three nights, so that we could learn as much about taking care of you as possible before leaving the hospital. In fact, I think there were only two five minute time periods that a nurse took you for assessments, that we didn't follow you to the nursery too :) It wasn't that I was opposed to the idea of you going to the nursery, but we were all doing great & we wanted you with us as a family...

During the 3 days in the hospital, you had relatives visit on both sides along w/ some of Daddy and Mommy's friends. It made me thankful to see how many people love you. Our plan was to do a lot of videotaping, with everyone talking to you for the first time. As Ill share with you as you get older though, Mommy couldn't pull herself together enough for the videotape. Every time I thought of you or what I might say, I couldn't help but sob. I was just so overwhelmed w/ happiness and love for you. So, we did some videotaping, but not as much as we had hoped. Sorry:( Hopefully this blog about those first days will help make up for it...

On the third day, we were released & it was time to take you home! I always thought this would be the most anxiety-provoking time, but just like many things in life, things rarely happen as you would predict. This time turned out to be one of the most calm times, w/ me enjoying holding you in your car seat and watching people smile at us as they wheeled us out to the car, then sitting in the backseat with you as Daddy nervously drove us home, and finally laughing as we sat you on the kitchen table in your car seat and asked ourselves "Now what?". It was strange -- we were back to our life at home, but in a very different way! It wasn't 10 minutes though until Daddy was making lunch, Mommy was doing some cleaning in the kitchen, and we were taking you out of your car seat to show you around your home and feed you. Somehow, so quickly, everything took on a new "normal".

It has been a little over a week now, and you have been such a good baby! I think Daddy and Mommy have managed to at least get 3-4 hrs of sleep each a night & have enjoyed so many "firsts" with you already - first time taking a bath, first time going to the store, first time at great-grandma's house and grandma Dia's house.

It has been an amazing journey and only the beginning. We thank God so much for you and for watching over our family throughout this pregnancy, labor & delivery. On several occasions (during my quick c-section recovery, at the pediatrician when you didn't cry) people commented "That is a miracle" or "You must have someone watching over you" which reminded me of God's love and protection.

Emma - I don't know what the future holds, but I pray every day that God continues to watch over you as you grow and us as a family. I pray for happiness in your life, contentment, and a continued closeness to God. We love you and feel blessed that God has entrusted us as your parents.

38th Week

So this may be one of the most uninteresting blog posts ever. I really have absolutely nothing to report. We went to the doctor today and still no progress. I feel like I am definitely playing the waiting game w/ being off of work and having everything ready for her to come. It probably doesn't help that part of my morning routine now includes watching about every baby show there is on t.v. and wondering if this is the day?!

However, maybe it is good that she isn't here yet. Ben & I have been struggling to come up w/ a middle name to go w/ our first name (it's a surprise)...but then started to rethink the first name this week too! I think we are close to making a final decision, but it has been a challenge.

As far as how I've been feeling, I think the nesting is wearing off & I have started to feel a lot more tired on a regular basis. Part of the problem is that even though I feel like I am comfortable sleeping I have been waking up nearly every morning around 4:30am wide awake. This morning I finally was able to "sleep in" until 6:15. I never thought I would consider 6:15 sleeping in!

My next appt. is on the 17th. Hopefully there will be some sign of hope by then :)

Growing Anticipation

37 weeks and 5 days....I don't
think there has been much change
since 35 weeks




Her room is finished minus the monogram
that we are going to put in the pink area

Ben putting furniture together


Ben was going to post the nursery pics, but since he has been super busy w/ work and I have been off & home I thought I would help him out.

I go back to the doctor for my 38 week appt. on the 10th, so nothing new to report right now. The excitement is growing along w/ the apprehension! It is impossible to wrap my mind around the fact that in 2-3 weeks at most we will have a baby! I can't figure out if time is going fast or slow either. On one hand the pregnancy has flown by, but then some days lately I feel like I will never go into labor & get to meet her. I guess she has to come out at some point though! :)

37 weeks!

I had my 37th week doctor's appt. today. No progress so far, but overall got a good report so I can't complain. The baby and I are still healthy and she has moved into the head down position which is good. The only thing the doctor mentioned was that her head was turned some to the side, but she didn't see this as a concern at this point. It is something she will monitor as I get closer to delivery and go into labor.

Hard to believe we are getting this close. Time seems to be flying! Overall, I feel really good. I usually have 1-2 nights a week I feel uncomfortable or have difficulty sleeping but that is about it. When I do have trouble sleeping it is because I seem to have more energy than normal and wake up in the middle of the night wide awake. It sounds crazy (and probably is) but I at least try to make use of the time signing up for some good samples online of formula & diapers :)

Hard to believe I am saying this too...but we are completely (well as much as we can be) ready for the baby! The nursery is finished, we've bought everything we initially need, and our bags are packed for the hospital. The only thing we want to do this weekend is finish up the guest bedroom which means buying a mattress for the bed & getting the furniture in there.

Other than that we don't really have any big weekend plans. We are going to take it easy, hopefully squeeze in a little more pool time before we have to close it, and grill out on Monday.

My next doctor's appt. in 9/10. We will see if there is any progress then!

Nesting!!!

35 weeks...I am getting big!

One of the centerpieces Ben designed and made for the shower

Elizabeth's mom, me, and Elizabeth

Family and Friends

Above are a few pictures from the shower that my mom, her side of the family, some friends, and neighbors had at my house last weekend.

Overall, it has been a busy week around the Ickes' household w/ my shower this past weekend, Ben continuing the home projects, and us trying to begin wrapping up the "baby shopping" for needed items. Yesterday served as a nice break though. Ben ended up taking the day off and we went to Fernbank park for lunch and a walk. Going to the park and hiking is really something I've missed this summer b/c usually we hike (or bike) 2-3 times throughout the week pretty long distances and it has been difficult to continue doing that w/ the pregnancy.

Even if it were easier, I must confess that lately I have tended to be somewhat (okay almost completely) preoccupied w/ nesting. There is definitely something to this concept! I have this incredible desire to clean, organize, and rearrange anything and everything. I think some of it is definitely a preparation for the baby, but if I have to analyze myself (can't resist) part of it is probably my attempt to control as much as I can instead of allowing myself to feel anxious about the very near future of parenthood! Regardless, it makes me feel better so I will continue! The good news is that it makes for a very clean house, the bad news is that Ben gets pulled into the nesting as well and has to participate :) He has been a good sport though & as far as projects go the nursery is finished (I promise pics soon), the guest bedroom is almost done, and some smaller stuff is being checked off the list almost daily....

35 weeks!

I had my 35 week doctor's appt. today and everything still looks great. Her heartbeat is strong and I am measuring in the average range. So, the doctor is guessing that she will weigh around 6 or 7 lbs. when she is born. My next doctor's appt. is two weeks from now and from that point on I will have an appt. once a week.

I had a few days/nights this past week that were rough w/ me beginning to get uncomfortable and waking up at 4 in the morning wide awake! However, thankfully, it hasn't been every night and the last two days I've actually felt pretty good again. It makes it easier too w/ me at home and not starting a new job until Nov. In fact, I actually feel a little guilty that things are going this smoothly, especially given that Ben and I have a family member on his side and a couple friends who have had serious pregnancy complications/baby issues. I can't imagine how difficult that would & our prayers go out to them be b/c I know I worry enough about our baby as it is...

This coming weekend is my last baby shower for my mom's side of the family, some neighbors, and friends. It is at our house, which I am excited about b/c a lot of people haven't gotten to see the house yet, even though we've lived here a year now. The nursery is now finished too w/ furniture in it, so after this weekend I will probably post pictures of both, along w/ my 35 week pregnancy picture. I will say I am feeling bigger by the day & we are both starting to get antsy about wanting to meet our baby and bring her home (outside my stomach that is)! The best way to describe my feelings right now - since I can't resist adding something about feelings given my profession -- I would compare it to a rollercoaster. Overall, I am thrilled & it is one of the most special times in my life so far. However, it isn't without its moments of anxiety and fear that everything in the last few weeks will go well, that I will survive labor, and that I will be a good mom once we get home!