Emily Conquest Tredwell

The last 48 hours have been incredible. 

As you may have seen in the update from yesterday, I got the call from Tim late Friday night, and headed directly to the hospital in New Haven.  Let me just say that driving from the Cape to southern Connecticut at midnight is the way to go.  NO TRAFFIC.  Add a little red bull and the drive seems to just fly by!

I got to the hospital at 3, (yes, AM.) and Kate had just gotten her epidural and was in a great mood!  We had a great night--no real sleeping for anyone, lots of excitement and giggling. And watching outtakes from "Knocked Up". Very appropriate.

The sun came up, contractions were getting crazy (not that Kate noticed many of the horrible ones, thank  you anesthesia.) and Tim thought that he was a pro at reading the stream of paper from the contraction monitor.  A particularly large one spiked on the paper and he said, "WOW!  That one looks like a house I drew one time!"  Almost professional....

(reading the monitor...."oooh, Kate, that one would have sucked.")

So the afternoon progressed...slowly.  It was a lot of hurry up and wait.  There was one little scare when Emily's heart rate dropped pretty quickly.  The room was flooded with nurses for a sec, but it seemed that the little punk (that would be Miss Emily) grabbed and squeezed her cord for a moment.  Kate threatened to ground her if she pulled something like that again. 

Tim's mom, (my sweet Auntie Jan) arrived in the afternoon, and Kate's parents came too, and when things were moving along, we headed to the waiting room.  Tim kept coming out to update us, and at 4 PM she started pushing!  The nurse would come out every half hour or to to keep us updated, and that was wonderful.  With the last update, the nurse said that the next update would be the baby's arrival. 

The best part:  When the nurse came out at about 6, we all held our breath, still not knowing anything,  and she said, "Who's Sarah?"  I raised my hand and she gave me the wave and said, "Let's go."

I have never jumped up and run faster in my entire life.

When I got to the room, they had JUST put the baby on Kate's chest, the room was buzzing, and the nurse said, "you have a camera, right??"  Uh, yes, I definitely have that.  The tears of joy came fast and furious, but I managed to take as many pictures as I could!  I felt like the luckiest person in the world, being in there, part of such an incredible moment.  Won't ever forget that, not as long as I live.

these two are my favorites--the nurses had just put Emily in the warmer to clean her up, and these two are gazing at her.  Makes me weepy even now.

Hello little cone-head squishy face!  We love you!!

He's been waiting most of his life for this moment...

Grandma Tredwell!

The Conquest Grandparents!

The elation of the day came to a halt for a moment when Tim and Kate found out that what we thought was a hip dislocation during labor ended up being a more serious condition with her right femur.  For the night, no one knew what it was, what it meant, if there might be more terrifying news coming.  By this morning though, they know that she has an isolated condition called Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency, and it will require further work with an orthopedist, we're not certain to what extent yet.  But there is a plan, and she will do wonderfully, how can she now with such amazing parents?

Since they finally know what is happening with her leg, they can go back to focusing on the sheer joy that a beautiful baby girl brings.  Tim is debating what Olympic sport she will play, and Kate is hoping beyond hope that there is some sleep in her future.  They are going home tomorrow, getting to the business of adoring their little bundle of joy, and I am counting the days until I can get back to lover her up some more.  (6, in case anyone is wondering.)

To Kate:  I am amazed by you.  Your composure and strength throughout that long night and day of laboring was incredible.  You looked beautiful, were glowing through it all, even when you were throwing up ever so gracefully. (seriously, it was graceful. I am glad I was there to see it.)  You are already the most natural mother, as I knew you would be, and I am thankful that you are part of my family, and love you so much!

To Tim:  Dude.  It looked like a house you drew?? I had no idea that labor would be so fun.  It helps when someone else is laboring, I suppose.  I did not think it was possible to love you more, or feel closer to you, but I do.  I am so very proud of you, you have created a life that you love, and have an incredible wife and a gorgeous daughter to prove it.  Thank you for letting me be a part of all of this.  I will never forget this, not as long as live and breathe. 

To my darling Emily:  Sweetest girl, welcome to the world.  I want to tell you how lucky you are to have the mom and dad that you do, that you already have your grandparents wrapped around your little fingers, not to mention your Uncle Pete, and Aunt Kathy. I want to tell you how lucky you are to have cousins waiting for you to be big enough to play with...girls girls everywhere! And Sam to be your protector.  I want to tell you how lucky you are that you are surrounded by more love than many people get in their lifetime, but I realize the REAL truth.  WE are the lucky ones, baby girl.  We have YOU.

Much love.

Comments

[Noelle]

Beautiful pics, beautiful baby, beautiful post! Congrats again Tim and Kate! Your bundle of joy is gorgeous!! She's one lucky little gal! -Noelle

[traci]

what a sweet post!!
the black/white....perfect.
love the one of dad tearing up.
so sweet.

[Danielle]

I, too, love the pic with Tim and Emily and that tear just hanging on to the tip of his nose. Those pics brought tears to my eyes. I SO SO SO don't miss the labor(my second was natural but not by choice)but the moment when they put that baby on your chest for the first time is a feeling that I wish I could play over and over. They are so lucky to have those pictures to remind them of that special feeling. Congrats to all and to Kate "Good Luck on the sleep thing:)"

[melissa ;)]

TOTAL tear jerker, sarah. this is why i <3 you!! congrats to the new family :)

[Kim]

Even I got sentimental during that one. Love the black and white. Of what I have seen, Ii think it is among your best work. Congratulations to you and your family!

[Suzanne E. Morrison]

Isnt't that last picture just gorgeous? I am so glad you could provide them with such memories as these shots will evoke in later years! And Ems will say: "Ma, what's with the hat?" Grams

[Sarah]

So beautiful! I get the chills & tear up every time I look at these. Tim & Kate are so lucky to have had you there to capture this very special time! I am so looking forward to seeing more from her newborn shoot.

[Lori Shaw]

Sarah Louise I have to say these memories are absolutely gorgeous. You have an unbelievable talent in capturing candid shots, the one of pure emotion in Tim is award winning. Welcome to the world Emily and many congratulations to the entire Tredwell Family.

[Jessica]

these are so beautiful. i wish i had shots like this from my kid's birth. your family must be soooo thankful for these.

xoxo
jess

[Aimee]

this.is.the.sweetest.post.ever

seriously, you can see dad's tears. so awesome. brightened my day a little. thanks for sharing.

[Katie K]

Absolutely Beautiful. Cried when I saw Tim so happy.
Great Job picture taking, you truly captured the very special event!

[Frank Calamaro]

Hey Commissioner of Brackets!!!!!.... DAD!!! Congratulation Tim and Kate..she is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Enjoy her and cherish the moments because, they grow up sooooooooo fast.
See you at school Tim...Congratulations again!!!!
God Bless you all!!!!
Frank

[Alex J.]

Katie and Tim,
Congratulations to you both! Emily is absolutely beautiful. I wish you both the best of luck (from what I hear about raising a kid from my father, you're going to need it) and happiness.
I couldn't be happier for you two.
-Alex J.

[gigi]

absolutely the bestest ever ever EVER in the whole wide universe. beautiful!!!!!

congrats!!!!!

[lynn tedesco]

dear katie and tim,
what a beautiful little girl!!i'm so proud of you guys. katie-i never looked as gorgeous as you did during my birth!!!!I cried while looking at the pics.we love you guys, and know the love you have for your daughter is the most incredible feeling.congradulations,its worth all the hard labor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!love aunt lynn,uncle steve and steven