V is for Visitors

With our new daughter now home, it's been so rewarding to have people stop in to meet our little girl. It reminds us that friends and family are truly what is most special in this world. We're so fortunate to have such thoughtful and caring people in our lives so thank you all for your emails, your calls, your gifts, your visits, your food, and your support. We'd feel lost without you. Your sharing these first few weeks with us (while we are anchored home) make us feel normal again.

Aunt Christine and Uncle Jim stop by. (Aunt Lisa and Uncle Brady did too, but Dad forgot to get a pic!)

"Umm. Who let the paparazzi in here!! No pictures, no pictures! Where's my publicist!"

"After almost a week, Mom and Dad FINALLY gave me my first bath. It was a little scary, because there was a wet feeling surrounding me. Normally, I only feel that in my diapers. Maybe if I shove both hands in my mouth, it will all be okay. Fingers in mouth equals happy place."

"I don't know how to tell you this Dad, but if you don't wipe that grin off of your face and get me in some clothes soon, I'm going to bring terror to this nice white blanket you think is so cute."

"Still naked Mom, but loving it with this bottle."
Aunt Amber came by with Uncle Jason.
Uncle J and Amber get the award for the most organic meal brought to feed us. Baked Zuchinni and beef with fresh corn and cucumber and tomato salad all made with produce from their garden. Topped off with desert, we felt like we were being served at a restaurant.
Grandma Hayden arrives to say hello. She and Grandpa have been spoiling us with homecooked meals and round the clock housekeeping services.

"Throw yo hand in the ayer. And waive it like you just don't cayer."
Do you have your tickets to the Gun Show?

Proud Grandpa. I promise he's not about to give her a knuckle sandwich. Promise.

Grandma with the magic touch. Maybe we'll wake Grandma up at 4am to try her hand again!

Emery has been collecting visitors and nicknames. A few that are sticking right now:

Houdini

Mrs. Blaine (David Blaine that is)

Squeaker

Velociraptor

Munchkin

Li'l bean

Emmers

Whatever you want to call her, she's got nothing but love for you!

Week 1

We've been busy playing the game that I'm sure all parents of newborns play...

We think Emery has Tracy's lips.

She's got my big hands and feet.

We're not so sure who's eyes she has...help us out:

Tracy and her Grandma in 1977. Though tough to tell in this transferred image, the eye shape may be Emery's.

Here's me in 1977 as well. I can't see Emery too much in these.

Here's my brother Nico in 1978. I can see her eyes and nose .
Here's our little jaundiced girl. The jaundice is getting better. We liked how she's clasping her hands...not sure if she's practicing being dainty or whether this is a Mr. Burns moment..."Excellent!"
Forgot to rotate this image but here she's got a newborn beenie on which, because of her tiny size and constant head movement, makes it look like its a pope hat.
I liked this image because it demonstrates how tiny she is in my hands as well as how big her bib is. The bib covers almost her whole body! I keep reminding myself to enjoy her at this size. She'll never be this tiny again.
One of my favorite ways to hold her. This was from the hospital but continues to be a favorite.
My two girls trying to get some sleep. (Forgot to rotate again!)

Swaddled but again, her Houdini skills come out. No matter how hard we swaddle, the girl can free her hands and legs eventually. This will be a great skill should she ever get arrested and handcuffed in the future.

The Olsons stopped by this week and brought us dinner. It was great to have guests come by and be social.
Here's Jen looking like a natural...
Sleeping on her hand next to her Daddy's feet.

Baby Liam and Emery. What a difference six months makes!! (Liam 6 months, Emery 1 week)

Get used to supervised visits only Liam!

Our sleeping beauty...

Open Your Eyes

What was supposed to be a routine appointment last week turned into a gift.

Emery Ann Gonzales was born at 7:06am on 7/18. She weighed in at 5lbs12oz--not bad for a preemie! She measured 19.25 inches long but is even larger in her parents hearts. We continue to be amazed at her Houdini-esque abilities to swarm out of swaddlers, her gi-normous feet and hands, and her vampire hours. We'll have much more to say and write as time goes on, but here are some first pics of our 5 pound blob of love.

Tracy hooked up to an IV hoping the low fluid volume is secondary to her dehydration--no dice! We would stay the night Tuesday hoping to buy more time, but by Wednesday morning, it was clear that induction would be the best bet for a healthy baby.

Our labor and delivery room. We'd get to know it well. When all was said and done, Tracy spent over 48 hours in the same bed and much of that without the "luxury" of solid foods.

Killing time texting and watching Family Guide episodes. Thanks for all of them Nico.

Here she is, seconds after delivery. Thanks goes to the Doctor who reminded me to use the camera!

"Tata and Nani" look at their first grandaughter--unfortunately through the glass only. She was still so preemie that they wouldn't let strangers handle her until all tests were completed.

A proud papa.

Mama and her little girl.

The newest (and loudest) member of our family.

Friends Scott and Christy Campbell stop by to welcome Emery and introduce her to their son Liam. As I've told you both before, your son is not good enough for our daughter. (No one is!)

Emery taking her "car seat test". She had to stay in her car seat for an hour as anxious parents watched the monitor hoping that 02 levels would stay high enough--we did NOT want to stay another night at the hospital.

Within minutes of being home and Tracy plopping down on the couch, Sinatra wanted to remind us both that he should NOT be ignored.

The two most beautiful girls in my life. As I told Tracy, I've fallen in love with her all over again in the week since we've had Emery. It's absolutely amazing to watch this woman power through childbirth and give life to this little miracle. All of you husbands with kids can understand. Lou Gehrig doesn't have a thing on me...

More to come (just don't ask me when!)...