Emily: Days 2-4

WOW! Jeremy and I truly love being parents to Emily and have really enjoyed being a family at home these last 3 days. It is amazing to have the privalige to care and love her. We are grateful to the Lord. You won't believe this, but on the way home from the hospital we went to see Jeremy's co-workers. We, of course, didn't take her out of the carrier, but as you can imagine Jeremy was a very proud papa.

These days Emily is doing alot of things for the first time:

car ride

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

arriving home

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

the 3 of us in the bed together - a dream come true!

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

bath

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

stroller

From 1-24-09 Emily's 1st Week

brushing hair

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

swing

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane's 1st Week

Here are more photos:
Click here to look at the end of our hospital stay (scroll to the end).
Click here to see her during days 3-6 of her life.

What a Long day!

The whole reason this blog was created was to keep our family and friends updated on our pregnancy, birth of our child, and life in general. Well, we are past the first one - pregnancy! We are so pleased to introduce you to Emily Jane our first born entrusted to us by the Lord - we are so privileged.

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane

We are doing so well as a family. God has blessed us richly already. Here are some pictures of our first 36 hours together. We can't wait for each of you to meet her. She is a sweet angel and more than we could have imagined.

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane

From 1-24-09 Emily Jane

How it all went down...We got to the hospital Friday night at 9pm. Got the confirmation that we were staying by 10pm since I was 100% afaced and 4 cm dialated. Then we were in for the night - some sleep and more contractions. At 6am, I got checked and was 6 cm dialated and TOTALLY ready for an epidural. My epidural was put in, water broken, and 7 cm by 7am. Then at 8am I was still 7cm, so they gave me some pitosin. That helped me to progress and by 12n I was complete and ready to push. I pushed until 1:32pm and our sweet Emily Jane was born. She is 7 lb 10 oz, 20 inches long, blue eyes, lots of brown hair, has Jeremy's chin, has both of our noes as newborns, and my big toe shape. She is beautiful! We are staying at the hospital until Monday around lunch and then will be heading to our family home.

Baby Long is Here!

Hey - this is Jen (Michelle's sister).   Michelle and Jeremy have asked me to post this wonderful news...

They are excited to announce that they had a baby GIRL! Emily Jane was born today at 1:32 pm. She is 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 in. long.

Mom and baby are doing great.  More pictures to come soon...

39 week Dr. Apt. and other stuff

Today, Dr. Ross said that I was still 3 cm dilated but now 80% afaced. He also stripped my lining, so we will see if that helps at all. We set the induction date for next Friday, 1/30/09. We are to arrive at the hospital at 6am. We asked for earlier induction that week, but there were no beds available.

Jeremy told the baby on Tuesday night "you are in trouble and grounded when you come out (b/c you are taking too long) and you will not be able to go play with your friends". Too cute - I guess he is getting impatient.



From 1-24-09 Due Date
We also got the framed painting back that Marguerite Stephens (my cousins's mom) painted in 1959. It turned out great and looks beautiful in the baby's room.

From 12-24-08 Christmas Eve at the Long's

I also recieved a sweet and touching email from a church friend on Tuesday night. She was praying with her twin 4 yr. old boys for Jeremy, Baby Long, and I. Here is what Andrew said "God, please be with Shell and her baby. keep them safe. keep the baby's arm from poking her. give her a lot of baby food for the baby... amen".



From 12-22-08 Belly Pictures
In December, I had some belly pictures made by a friend at church, Michelle King, to surprise Jeremy for Christmas. We both loved them and cried as he opened them. I wanted to share them with everyone.

39 weeks and 40 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Still no baby, braxton hicks, or contractions. Okay, so I am back to thinking I will be late and I could be 2/1/09 before I deliver (I just need to think this). Jeremy and I have decided that next time we don't want our doctors opinion on when he thinks we will deliver. Although through the waiting, Jeremy and I have truly enjoyed any extra days that we are getting together. We see our time is sweet - sleeping in, relaxing, running errands together, and just being. I will say that during this week of "waiting" the Lord is preparing my heart for delivery. I could have cried on Monday from being so scared of labor, but now I think the Lord has formed my heart to be okay with it and more excited to meet our Little One! My next dr. apt. is still on 1/22, Thurs., at 3:20pm. Also, my official dute date is this Sat., 1/24/09.

Saturday morning, Jeremy and I were talking about hopefully getting to the hospital in time for my epidural so that I didn't have to have natural labor. I told him if I had to go through natural labor then I would turn into Cat Woman with my claws out. He said "please don't act like that to me and just be nice to me." Well, good luck Jeremy - can't promise anything.

We started walking today. We walked a 20 min. mile, so I would say I am moving a little shower than my normal 15 min. mile. On this same note, we got the carseat attachment in for the jogging stroller. Jeremy put it in and then we tried the carseat in it. You should have seen Jeremy, he was so cute "practicing" making circles around the living room, dining room, and kitchen loop. He also said he could not wait to stroll our little one around the neighborhood. What a sweet thought.

Babycenter says "Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath."

From 1-24-09 Due Date

We got a new table for the baby's room from Kirklands. It is perfect next to the glider.

38 week dr. apt. & Other Exciting News

My dr. apt went well this morning. I saw Dr. Ross and he said I was on the "list" this weekend to have the baby. He is on call and he thinks he will be seeing me at the hospital this weekend. I tried to let him take back his statement by telling him the story "Susan, your nurse, told me that if I was late to let her know and she would get on to you." He said, "yes, they like to prove me wrong". Then as he was walking out the door he said "I will see you by Sunday". Let's just hope he is not jinxing us. I am still 60% afaced, but 3 cm now. The heartbeat was 147.

Again, we remember that the Lord knows the perfect timing for our sweet little one to come. We will keep you posted. My next dr. apt. is next Thurs. at 3:20. He talked with me about inducing next week, but I am sticking to the same story for now. I just don't want to induce early since the baby is still about 7lbs and measuring 2 weeks behind. I am still really comfortable and can't complain. I am sleeping at night, except for sometimes I am awake for about 1 hour sometimes during the night, but that is fine. Jeremy might feel differently b/c he said last night I was on my side and snoring like a banshee. Sweet Jeremy just let me sleep and didn't try to make me stop. What a trooper!

From 12-24-08 Christmas Eve at the Long's

Also, I have been meaning to post this picture. We are going to be Uncle J and Aunt 'Chelle again! We are so excited for Jason and Diana. We are so blessed by the Lord to have the love of little ones filling our lives. We found out Christmas Eve when Tate came out in her Christmas pjs and "told" us all she was going to be a big sister.

Baby Bedding has arrived!

We are so grateful to my Aunt Jan for making our baby bedding. She is so talented and did an amazing job on it!

Here is the bed...

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Here is the curtain and the glider pillow...

From 1-24-09 Due Date

Thanks, Aunt Jan for all your time and wonderful talent!

38 weeks and 40 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

I am still 40 inches around still. Jeremy said each week that he is measuring me in the same spot, so I guess this isn't going to change much. I am having a few hot flashes today (Tues.) so I am not sure what that is all about. Also, I called my nurse to ask her why my left groin was giving me a short intense pain. I have had it only once every few days the past few weeks, but today it has been much worse and more often. She said just get off my feet and it is probably the baby on a nerve or something. okay!

Babycenter says "Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old."

From 1-24-09 Due Date

I wanted to knit a sweater for the baby to wear home from the hospital and I finished it. I also worked hard this past weekend to get the baby's closet cleaned out. This had been weighing on me for months. I mean, you could not even step 6 inches into the closet. So, now it is totally cleaned out of all things NOT baby and has been filled with all baby clothes and items.

We had a great weekend. Friday night we just hung out and did nothing. Saturday morning, we slept in until 10:30am and then Jeremy fixed Beignets (for the first time) with eggs and bacon - it was an awesome brunch. Then we went to a movie. Sunday we took a nap. It was nice and enjoyable. Will this be the last one?

Week 37 Dr. Apt.

I had a good and encouraging Dr. apt. this afternoon. Dr. Ross (my primary dr.) said that I was now 60% afaced and 2 cm dilated. He thinks I could deliver 1 - 1 1/2 weeks early (that is starting this Wed. - WOW and yeah!). We all know that only God knows when this little one will come, so as long as I don't stall out it could be sooner than later.

I also had a Strep B test done last week and this week I found out it was negative, so that is good. The baby's heartbeat was 137. It must have been napping b/c last week it was around 157. I am still measuring about 2 weeks behind, so he thinks it will still be a little bit less than a 7 pounder. Sounds good to me. I go back to the dr. next Thurs. morning.

We also had an appointment at the Alabaster Fire Station after my dr. apt. to get the carseats properly installed in both our cars. So, I am glad you have that checked off the list.

Oh, on Tuesday night we made a Wal-mart trip and bought our 1st pack of diapers. That was fun and an adventure. We have been so blessed and we are so thankful for all the many baby items from our family and friends.

Check back - we will be in touch!

37 weeks and 40 inches

From 1-24-09 Due Date

I am feeling well and checking off my to-do list. I am most thankful for FINALLY getting the baby's closet cleaned out this week. It was the "catch all" closet that was totally full of cards, photo doubles, photo albums, etc. It is now clean and holds all baby items now. YEAH! What a good feeling!

Babycenter says "Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz."

From 12-31-08 New Year's Eve in Mentone

We went back to Mentone for New Year's Eve 2008 with Jeremy's family! We have really enjoyed the cabins there and recommend them to anyone. Check them out at http://www.mentonecabins.com/. We have stayed at these cabins: Cupid's Escape, Eagle's Crest, and Deer Run at Canyon Ridge (2 xs). Click here to see more pix.

From 1-3-09 Caretti's in Birmingham

The Caretti family came down to Bham, so we could do Christmas together on Saturday. We had fun playing and visiting. See more pix here.

I ordered our stroller from here with the carseat attachment! YEAH! I can't wait for it to come in. I love it!