EMMA KATE HELMICK
6.27.2009
Keri two days before Emma was born!
Mom and Coach making it through contractions.
Right after Emma arrived! When we arrived to the hospital Keri was already dilated to 9cm. She was simply amazing! I was so proud.
Dr. Kevin Brenimen, Steven, Emma, and Keri. Emma Kate Helmick was born at 3:14am, Saturday June 27, 2009. She weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.
Gotta love it... My two girls. I'm blessed.
Nothin' like being a dad.... 
One of the few mornings that we were at home so far was very enjoyable! We spent time cuddling in Mommy and Daddy's bed.
We love your hair Emma Kate!
Emma was readmitted to the hospital because of a high billirubin count. She tested positive coombs (a result of Keri and Emma having blood types that didn't like each other. The red blood cells in Emma's body got into Keri's system by passing through the placenta. Since Keri is O+ her blood created antibodies to fight off Emma's B+ red blood cells. Once they were all gone, Keri's antibodies got "bored" and headed back towards Emma's body. Well Emma has a sea of red blood cells that Keri's antibodies wanted to attack. There is a finite number of antibodies that were created so eventually they died off, but Emma's red blood cells that were attacked released billirubin in her system.) All babies have billirubin in their system; however with the positive coombs testing and Emma's bruising from birth (which also caused red blood cells to burst which in turn created more billirubin) Emma's count was high enough to put her back in the hospital.
The UV lights break down the billirubin so it can pass through Emma's stool.
Check out our cool California beach bum daughter!
We had to feed her through a syringe because we wanted to imitate breast feeding as much as possible. When Emma sucked my finger, I gave her some of the milk. When she stopped sucking I stopped pushing the syringe. She needs to learn how to work for the milk.
Steven burping Emma after a syringe feed in her isolette.
Keri and Emma chillin' out at the hospital. The circle on Emma's face is velcro for her sunglasses that she wears when she is under the UV lights.
