I think Emma is just like her Daddy and wanted to join in all of the fun, because she came early and to top it off, my water broke while we were at a bar! Only Joel's child would do that. Joel and I had gone to dinner on Saturday night Dec 26
th to celebrate Cameron's birthday at
Winslows in For Worth with Elizabeth,
Guinan, Cameron and Erin Mac. We had a great dinner, and it was good to catch up with everyone! The group said they were going to go out, and I decided I would join them since they were not going to a smokey bar, I had some energy and I though Joel would would enjoy the night out! So we
headed to Capital bar. It was a bit awkward to be a pregnant lady in a bar, but I sucked it up for Joel. Around midnight, I was headed to the bathroom and felt like maybe I had peed my pants...this was a bit concerning considering I was at a
bar and pregnant and everyone was already staring at me. I decided that it
may be my water had broke, and quickly headed back to the table to tell Joel it was time to head home. I did not tell anyone as to not cause a scene at the bar. Joel and I got int he car, and I turned to him and said, "I think my water broke!" We drove back to my Mom's and Casey was still up. She and my mom, Brian, Jeff and Brett had been out to dinner and had had a few drinks as well. So here I am sober as can be with drunk Joel and drunk Casey trying to figure out what we should do. I finally told them that Joel and I would head to the
emergency room and call Mom and Casey when we found out was going on. So I drove Joel and I to the emergency room. On the way there, Joel turned to me and said "If this is a false alarm I am not drinking until she really arrives!"
We arrived at the emergency room and Joel parked the car while I went in...I was not having contractions yet. We headed up to L&D and got to a room. The nurse did a test, and sure enough, my water had broke! So Joel went back down to the car to get my emergency labor bag I had packed just in case. While he was gone they moved me, but I figured someone would tell him where I was. Joel went moved the car as well to a parking garage. Not knowing really were he was he ran out of the garage and headed into the emergency room saying "My wife is in labor, and I need to be taken to her room." The nurse looked at him and said, "Sir, you are in the wrong hospital...this is the children's hospital." So they
pointed him in the right direction to Harris Hospital, but once he got there, non
of the doors were open. So here Joel is running around the hospital trying to get in. He finally finds an
open door, and the nurses show him to my room. The L&D nurse said it
might be a while since my water had just broken and I was still on 1 and 1/2 cm
dilated, so we had better try to get some rest. Joel hit the couch and was out of course, snoring away! I was fine with that, and hoped he could sleep off a few of the beers he had had that night. I of course was wide awake as the contractions started to come. The
nurse had put me on
pitocin and then I asked for some pain
meds. She gave me
stadol, which knocked me out so I was able to rest.
I woke up about 2 hours later really feeling like the
contractions were close and very painful, so I asked for the epidural. Once I got that (and it was not bad at all) I was able to rest some more. I pretty much slept the
whole day, until about 1pm, when my L&D nurse Caroline said we
would be having this baby in about and hour and a half! She was really great and very helpful to both Joel and I. Finally at 2:51pm on December 27
th, Emma was born!
We had many
visitors at the hospital since we were in Fort Worth...everyone was so excited that she decided to make her
debut in Fort Worth at the same hospital that her Mommy was born in, and on Mimi's (my mom's) birthday. I really had a great birthing experience and could not have asked for a better "surprise birth"! Every nurse and doctor was so surprised to hear that Emma was early and that we were from Austin...they could not
believe my doctor would let my travel so close to my due date. And they laughed even harder at the fact that my water broke at a bar! I guess she wanted to be a Fort Worth girl!
Serious Sleeper
Emma and Daddy Sleeping
Playing
Napping in Mommy and Daddy's bed
Napping and making faces
Ready for a walk!
1 month old!
Look at that neck control!
Mariah and Emma at Blue Daliah
Cora and Emma at the park
Playdate at the park
Tummy time in the floor nanny.
Morning nap in the big bed.
Bath time
Her Giraffe hat...I think it is hilarious!
These pants remind me of old man pants.
Bundled up for a walk
Relaxing with Daddy
She is practicing napping while holding a drink...like her Daddy
Her favorite spot.
Emma and Daddy napping
Confused????
Our first walk
Emma 1 week old
Emma and her cousin Cora born 1 day apart!
Cora and Emma
Emma and Sampson...he loves to lick her. :)
Mommy, Daddy and Emma
Emma Beggs Neland 7lbs 9oz
Emma
Emma and Mimi...the birthday girls!
Daddy and Emma
Emma and Mimi
Proud Grandpa Neland 
Grandma Neland...they drove 3 hours just to see me!