Introducing Emory

With no further ado, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of the most precious son we could ever imagine, Phillip Emory Harris III.

He was born Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 12:09 PM weighing in at 6 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length.  Absolutely perfect!

So far, he's an incredibly wonderful baby.  He only cries when we're changing a dirty diaper.  After conquering a bout of jaundice, he has done so well eating and sleeping.  In fact, Mommy and Daddy have to wake him up to eat otherwise he'd sleep right through.  We're working towards getting back to his birth weight because jaundice caused him to drop down too much.  He loves Kangaroo Care time with Mommy and Daddy.  However, when they have to be productive instead of snuggling a good swaddle is all sweet Emory requires for a nice long nap.

Emory loves napping on Daddy's chest.  He's nice and warm!

He is a tiny little man, but he weighed almost a pound more than they estimated on Friday before I was induced.  So praise the Lord, he was able to regulate his own body temperature and did well breathing alone.  They told us that he'd probably need a few days in the NICU on Friday, but Saturday he did so well after being born that he was able to stay with us the entire time.

His first outing after coming home was back to the lactation consultant and NICU nurse.  He wore his favorite outfit (obviously picked out by Daddy with Clemson's colors in mind).  He weighed in at 5 pounds 15 ounces because jaundice was making him sleep and not eat much, but we got a new feeding schedule and packed on an ounce a day since then. 

We spent snuggle time in the shade outside to get the jaundice out of his system.  Fortunately, it's been fairly nice weather lately so the time has been quite enjoyable.

Once he started feeling better, someone decided to wake up and "talk" to us a bit during the day.  He loves to keep his hands in his mouth, so listening to him is amusing. 

Daddy had to go back to work on Monday.  We were sad to see him go, but he gets to come home and cuddle.  This is how Mommy found us the other day.  Even Mason gets away with more when Emory's around.  (Mason also cries when Emory cries, guards him from everything and everyone, and follows Emory and his carrier around the house.  He's a good guard dog.)

Emory's had a busy second week of life with lots of appointments and newborn pictures.  He's catching up on some sleep this morning.  He's excited to meet everyone soon!  Until then, sweet dreams!

Perspective & Praise

I believe this whole journey has a purpose.  I am still not certain that I fully understand or realize the impact of the lessons its yielded, but I have garnered several insights lately: 

1.  Sing praises.  I am definitely not the one to preach on this subject.  If I have done anything over the past year, it's been complain...just ask my poor husband (although he will probably graciously deny this).  From trying for so long to being sick, the last thing I felt like doing was praising God for anything going on.  To be quite honest, I had more than my fair share of moments filled with total bitterness (complete with bawling and anger...on my part, not God's) for how everything was playing out.  I have been searching for ways to make sense of it all.  I have many friends that are currently or have been recently "with child" that never tried and have yet to spend one night on their bathroom floor or strapped to machines in the hospital.  They have been able to bounce happily from one trimester of pregnancy to the next.  Call me petty (I'll admit it), this really irked me.  I was reading a devotional today and I came across this verse:  "Sing to God, sing praises to His name; cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him" Psalm 68:4.  For some reason I felt like I got slapped in the face with this verse (maybe this was God's way of responding to my anger).  No, I haven't had the easiest pregnancy, BUT we're expecting a little boy this month!  A year ago I truly did not believe this was possible and we were quickly running out of options.  So sick or not, thanks God!
2.  A little humility goes a long way.  I'm the oldest.  So it comes as no surprise that I'm Type-A, OCD, controlling, and completely independent.  I have always taken pride in being able to stand on my own two feet.  I would help anyone in a heartbeat, but I absolutely detest accepting the same gesture from others.  Again, slap in the face.  After MONTHS of sheer incapacity, I finally allowed my parents to come over and help with the baby's room.  I couldn't physically do it, Phillip was working 60 to 80 hours a week and picking up my slack around the house, and the things on my "To Do" list were piling up.  My parents spent an entire weekend here slaving away in the nursery (with their grand-dogs keeping guard at the door) making everything perfect for Emory's arrival.  One of my good friends came to spend the weekend with me.  I realized how fortunate I am because despite the fact that I hated needing the help, I have parents in my life that can and are willing to do things like this for me.  Through no fault of her own, my friend doesn't have this same "luxury" (although after seeing my mom at work she is wanting to have her come by for a visit as well).  I'm blessed with two wonderfully loving parents, three grandparents that are all within close proximity, and an in-law family the size of the Duggars...all of whom are willing at any moment to drop their lives to help us.  My friends and family have blessed us with gestures like the nursery completion, showers (despite one having to be canceled - sorry Jenni and Meredith), and love! 
3.  New friends come from all sorts of places.  I know that we have been on countless prayer lists from all over the world (and we are SO very grateful).  It wasn't until recently that I started to grasp how huge this was.  I had taken a call at the florist from a lady.  Every year during Valentine's Day week she prepares food and brings it to the florist.  She doesn't go to church with any of us nor is she a close friend of anyone's, but it's a gesture that she has continued for years.  I have actually yet to meet her, but know her name well.  She called the florist to ask how I was doing.  Since I was there, my dad offered to let her speak to me.  She told me about how long she'd be praying for us and that she would continue to do so.  How touching!  I have never even seen this woman.  Why would she bother even checking in?  My parents know most of the county (and my dad will somehow find a common relative between most anyone he comes in contact with), but I've met so many wonderful people that have blessed our lives through prayer and support over the past few years. 
4.  Vanity...well, it's a dangerous trap.  Self-image problems have always plagued me.  I think I am a normal American female in this regard, however.  Since dating Phillip my looks didn't bother me as much as they had previously.  My oh my, how pregnancy can change that!  I failed to gain weight until the 6th month of this little endeavor, and at that didn't look terribly pregnant until the 8th month.  However, my body has apparently decided to kick it into overdrive these past few weeks.  Everything from swelling to stretch marks all rearing their ugly heads at once.  I'm learning to laugh at these things.  The stretch marks I tried to fend off as best I could, but alas I lost that epic battle.  The swelling, well at least it's warming up so flip flops are becoming a bit more appropriate.  Plus, everyone knows a lady with a set of cankles is irresistible.  :-)  It's all temporary (I hope) and it's one step closer to holding this kid with the Beyonce butt that's bouncing on my gallbladder right now.  While I might not be the cutest pregnant thing walking around, I'm proud I made it this far!
5.  Finally marriage becomes a lot less romantic, but much stronger.  How could it not?  Poor Phillip has held my hair back as I've been sick more times than I can imagine over the past few years.  There is nothing sexy about a pregnant waddle.  You can't help but laugh when you have to request assistance in tying your own shoes.  Phillip has sacrificed the more comfortable portion of his wardrobe to my growing belly the past few months...and has done so without complaint.  Shrinking wardrobe selections and impending bouts of sickness force your social life to be placed on hold, so your couch and the craving of the night become the staple.  It's nice to be married to someone that can look at you and make you laugh, no words needed.  There are so many more examples, but I have to say that as much as our differences drive me nuts sometimes I am one lucky lady to have such a wonderful man! 

I am sure I have more to learn, but I thought these tokens of wisdom were worth noting...even if it's more for my memory than your amusement.  :-) 

Shower at Home

Since our Raleigh shower was canceled, we only had one more left and that was located here at my parents' house.  Since we didn't have to travel but 10 minutes down the road, we didn't reschedule this one.  My sister, Crystal, and Amy all hosted such a fun shower.  I'm so thankful for the love this little one has surrounding him, and for the support Phillip and I have received throughout this whole process.

Please excuse the way we look.  I'm exhausted from being sick and Phillip's exhausted from working all the time.  We're working on this.  :-) 

How cute are these?  They were quite yummy too!

The spread.  I am still craving those strawberries.

My precious Grandmother was able to come despite her broken foot and shoulder surgery.

Mom's centerpiece for the shower.  The thistle was also used in my corsage. 

Phillip got to open presents too.  Sadly, he uses a knife.

And now Emory has an outfit for his first official season as a Clemson football fan.

It was so nice seeing everyone. 

The lady on the far right is the one that gave Phillip my phone number over 5 years ago.

I look like death, but I loved this shark toy container. 

Kandice was being a good sister/hostess and keeping track of gifts.

Here's Emory's first toolbox.  Plush, of course.

Kasey got us this onesie.  I thought it was hilarious.

The hostesses!  Love love love these ladies!!!

Wrapping it up. 

Thanks to Kandice, Crystal, and Amy for a wonderful day Saturday!  We can't thank everyone enough for all the love and support we've received over the past few months.  Emory sends the same sentiments.  We love you all!

Happy Nursery!

Since I am not allowed to travel the shower my friends, Jenni and Meredith, had planned for us in Raleigh had to be canceled.  I felt super bad about it, but realizing that nothing is in my control at this point I am trying to not let things get to me.  Instead Jenni traveled down to keep me company for the weekend.

Phillip's best friend also came up for a night from Florence.  The boys decided to head to Bass Pro Saturday morning.  Then the fun began...

My parents came over and started what can only be described as an insane weekend of productivity.  I felt so utterly useless, but it is so nice knowing that everything is ready for Emory.  They painted, cleaned, and organized.  Phillip and Chris put the fan up in the room, assembled a stroller and a swing (thank you Grammy Harris, Aunt Sandra, and Uncle Steven), and worked on things outside.  Phillip got to add another coat of paint on Sunday before Mom painted the trim (which looks SO much better and now I need to do the rest of the house). 

It's nice being able to sleep knowing that if this little one shows up tomorrow, we're as ready as we're gonna get!  Check out that fabulous nursery.  All we have left are a few wall decor items and moving the car seats/stroller to the car.  Thanks to everyone that helped!

Chicken Little

I was gchatting with a friend this afternoon.  We were discussing the events of life from the past few days (happy 2 months to Baker), and I told her that the sky was falling.  She told me I should blog and that it should be entitled "Chicken Little".  Until my insomnia kicked back in I hadn't given it another thought, but here I lie at 4:30 AM with nothing better to do in the way of killing time.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE me some Emory.  I just thought that somehow after having to be on fertility drugs for almost two years that I somehow "deserved" an easy pregnancy.  I realize now that nothing worth having comes without a fight...including our little man.

Aside from hyperemesis the first 6 months of pregnancy (look it up - in short I was sick 10 to 15 times a day even when I was on constant nausea meds), I was blessed with some new friends in the form of gallstones somewhere around month 4 of this journey.  I didn't know at the time what it was.  I just hurt.  I thought it'd would go away, but despite my best efforts the pain intensified, so I finally told my doctor about 8 weeks later.  A few tests and an ultrasound later and the culprits had a name.

The problem with gallstones and pregnancy is that 1) they are painful, 2) they become more painful as real estate becomes scarce, 3) when your son kicks them it feels a lot like evil villains having a knife fight with your body right under your ribs, and 4) your diet is as bland and boring as they come.  The diet wasn't much of an adjustment since I had struggled to keep food down the previous months.  So aside from the pain and lack of surgical options due to being in the third trimester, we were fairing well.

UNTIL lately.

I have been struggling with finding a happy medium between my very limited gestational diabetes diet and my very bland gallstone diet.  There are very few foods that overlap, and I am now at the point where anything besides water hurts the gallstones.  Well this weekend kicked off a series of gallstone attacks.  I've had them before, but the bigger I get the worse they feel.  I will spare the unpleasantries, but let's just say that my sugar levels were great this weekend because I couldn't keep a thing down.

I also developed some fun little contractions in the midst of my attacks.  The problem lies in the fact that they didn't go away when the attacks were over.  So Monday I called my GI.  My GI told me to call my GI surgeon.  My GI surgeon has 6 daughters.  He informed me previously that he would be taking the two youngest to Vegas for Spring Break so they would stay out of trouble elsewhere.  Guess what week this is?  So, GI surgeon's assistant told me to call my OB because I was pregnant.  So, my very nice OB called back and said come on in.  I did so, they put the baby on a monitor (still having trouble finding his heart beat at 8 months) so the poor nurse had to stand there and hold the monitor for 15 minutes after it took 2 nurses, a sonogram, and the doctor to actually find his heartbeat.  Dr. Sal said that I was sent to her because once they open my chart at other offices and discover I am pregnant, it's much like discovering a bomb in an airport.  Apparently, everyone is running for cover from me.  :-)

At the end of my very long appointment, I was admitted for the evening to monitor my contractions and the baby.  I'm already dilated 1.5 cm.  Doesn't sound like a lot, but I suppose it's a little early to get the ball rolling on this whole labor thing.  At 1 AM our sweet nurse (also pregnant) came in and I still wasn't asleep (INSOMNIA + PAIN = no sleepy), so when she asked if I wanted the prescribed Ambien Phillip promptly answered "YES!"  I took the sleeping pill and the medicine to stop the contractions and fell asleep for 4 hours.  Now I can take a child's dose of Tylenol Cold and be out for 18 to 24 hours, so you can imagine what I felt like after 4 hours of sleep on big people medicine.

I know there was a nurse in the room this morning trying to get me to eat, the GI surgeon's partner and my OB were in the room whilst I was putting on a lovely show of "let me demonstrate how I can vomit this morning," and the nutritionist was coming in and out asking about food.  Luckily after watching me get sick for a while, the nurse and the nutritionist backed off on the eating deal.  The GI surgeon told me that he could do surgery but the incision would be the "old fashion" kind that would hug my rib cage and reach approximately 24 inches in length (NO THANK YOU) and there are obvious risks to the baby.  My OB is sending my info. to maternal fetal medicine now for a high risk consult, monitoring little man via ultrasound, and testing me later today to see how likely it is that Emory will be here within 2 weeks.  TWO WEEKS.  I can't wait to meet him, but I need more than 2 weeks!

Apparently there were quite a few other things discussed, but I was completely unaware of them thanks to the medicine I wasn't able to sleep off.  Fortunately, I have an AMAZING husband.  He brought me home, put me to bed, got my prescriptions filled to make me not so nauseous and not so apt to contract, and went to work on very little sleep himself.  I started remembering most of the day after 3 PM, so I apologize if I spoke to anyone prior to that.  :-)

Here's where we ask for little prayers that Emory holds out a few more weeks and my gallstones chill a bit.  We want him to be as healthy and happy as possible, and apparently that means lung function which has not yet reached 100%.  We do know that if I am kicked into labor at 35 weeks by the universal forces working against my body the doctors are not going to do anything to stop it AND I will be gallbladder, therefore gallstone, free soon thereafter.  Thank you to all of our family and friends for the love and support over the past few years!  We can't wait to introduce Emory to everyone!!!