Emma Grace has Arrived - Dobrodosla Emma Grace!!!

Andreja and I are excited to welcome Emma Grace into our family!!!

She was born this morning at 10:41 a.m.

Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz / 3.05 kg

Length: 21 in / 53.5 cm.

Here are some pictures of Emma for you to enjoy. Isn't she beautiful!!!

Click on the picture below to see more.

Emma's Arrival June 27, 2007.

Here's how it happened. Andreja woke my up this morning at 5am after her water broke. It was a flooding:) Andreja didn't feel any strong pain immediately after her water broke. We quickly called the doctor and he said to call him again around 7:15am to see what was happening. Andreja didn't feel any strong pain immediately after her water broke, but as soon as she hung up the phone the contractions started. We broke out the timer and to our surprise the contractions were only 6 minutes apart. Andreja wondered if she ought to call the doctor again since he said to wait to call him until 7:15. She didn't want to wake him again. I told her that it was his job and he wouldn't feel inconvenienced by a second call:) Once the doctor heard that the contractions were only 6 min apart he said we should head to the hospital. I quickly made some coffee so I wouldn't fall asleep during this whole ordeal and Andreja wanted to put on some make up because she thought she looked horrible. I assured that compared to most if not all women on the verge of delivery she looked amazing.

Once we arrived at Northside Hospital (the baby factory, delivering more babies than any other hospital in the US), around 6 am, Nurse Sheila checked Andreja and to her surprise Andreja was already dilated 8 cm and her contractions were only 4 minutes apart. Once the doctor heard how close the contractions were he decided to come check on Andreja before his shift ended at 7:30am. Sheila asked Andreja if she wanted the epidural. Andreja was debating until she had some very strong contractions, she said "give it too me." After the epidural kicked in the contractions were farther apart and we were able to get a little rest, take a nap, watch some Wimbledon.

Not much else happened until 10am when Dr. Dawson (he came on call at 7:30) checked and Andreja was fully dilated. Then the pushing began. I held one leg, the nurse held the other and Dr. Dawson monitored how close Emma was to entering this world. I had joked with Andreja that I wouldn't be able to handle all the blood, but I had a front row seat and it was great. It was fascinating to see her head come closer and closer to the exit. Once she finally emerged at 10:41am she was all slimy. It was crazy. All of a sudden this head pops out, then a hand, then the doctor pulled her out. Amazing stuff!!!

Emma cried immediately, so we knew she was good. Over the next couple hours Emma was cleaned and checked out. Everything is good. Andreja was happy because Dr. Dawson had to do a C-Section at 11 and so she was able to push Emma out and then give the doctor a little bit of a break:)

So in sum, the labor was only for 5 hours, the delivery took 40 min, and now we're relaxing in the recovery room with Emma peacefully asleep. This whole birthing process is amazing. Andreja and I can see God's hand in this whole process. He had mercy on us as everything went great, from the entire pregnancy to the labor, to the delivery.

We're excited about this new chapter (maybe I should say new book) in our lives. It will be cool to see what Emma is like, how her personality will be, what her interests will be. I know one thing for sure, she will be a Bulldawg Fan. She already told me that Matthew Stafford will win the Heisman in 2008 as he leads the Dawgs to the national championship.