11 Years Ago

Picture it: Columbus, Jan. 11, 1996. I was a day past my due date. We were 20 years old and totally clueless about how our lives were about to change. I also was very clueless about labor. (Not that the age had anything to do with it. I have never realized I was in labor with any of my kids except Chris, and that was only because the dr jump started that process) Matt and I were at Lane Avenue Mall walking and besides my back hurting nothing seemed to be happening except lots of snow falling outside. So we went back to our apartment.

A while later I was beginning to really hurt. I told Matt that maybe we should goto the hospital, but that is when we realized the Blizzard of 1996 had hit. Our car was snowed in. So we called my SIL & BIL and they came over and took us to the hospital. It was around 9 pm and after some monitoring they sent me home with sleeping pills saying I was just irritable. We got home at 11 pm and Matt went outside to shovel our car out. That is when the pain and puking began. Right before 1 am I knew I had to get to the hospital. We got in the car and it took us 30 minutes to drive 3 miles in the falling snow. Our parking garage pass said 1:30 am. Emily was born at 1:53 am on January 12, 1996. I never had time to change into hospital clothes. My dr never got there. And so much for mother intuition. My son Taylor was now a beautiful little girl, who we named Emily Ann, after Matt's and my mom.

I remember them placing this slimy, yet beautiful, little baby in my arms and having the most amazing feeling come over me. I was a mom. I was the person in charge of this itty bitty baby (and that she was at a mere 6 lb 2 oz). Her life depended on ME. (well and Matt too) I would like to hope that when she is older she will tell people that her mom is her best friend. She is smart, pretty, with a wonderful spirit and a warm, caring heart. Many people say she and I are spiting images of each other. She has the weirdest habits. She makes "fish lips" when concentrating on something. She always stands, even at school and the dinner table. (we have been working for years on breaking that) She is a competitive gymnast who has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was old enough to know what a doggie doctor was. She is at a such fun age. She is getting into shopping and just likes to sit and talk with me. I know that as she gets older, (those dreaded teen years are right around the corner) our relationship will change. It's a part of life. I just hope that she always remembers how much I love her.

Happy birthday Emmy. I love you.

Emily Through The Years


Emily right before we were leaving the hospital. Obviously we are clueless first time parents. Not only is she not swaddled, but I am not even sure Matt is holding her. Must be where she gets her gymnastics balance from.


Emily was such an awesome baby. She slept through the night from the beginning. She was super easy going. She hardly ever cried. She was a dream child. Don't worry, the other made up for it.


Emily for her 1st Birthday pictures.


This was taken in Oct. 1998. She was almost 3 years old.


Emily at 4 years old. It is amazing how much they change. She lost her toddler look by this time.


This was taken at the beach in June, 2002. I loved her hair like this.


This was taken right before Emily's 8th birthday.


This is Emily now. It was taken just a few weeks ago at Christmas. She is turning into such a beautiful young lady.