Introducing... Emily Grace Bondy

Seven weeks ago, on Thursday, February 6th, we met our precious Emily Grace for the first time. It all started with sporadic contractions the day after the elephant show adventure. Fifteen minutes apart, then an hour, then another one—nothing spectacular. But as the afternoon wore on, I began to feel that we’d be holding her in our arms within a day or so.
Sure enough, at my regular checkup that night, the doctor confirmed that I was in the early stages of labor. I was really hoping to go home, have a good night’s sleep, and then get up the next morning and have her, but that didn’t happen! Instead, we went home, finished packing the bags, and headed to the hospital.
We arrived at the ER at 11:30 pm, and two hours later, Emily Grace was born!
What an amazing, incredibly special time it was! For those of you who are parents, you know there’s nothing else in the world like holding your baby for the first time. It is an undeniably holy moment of pure joy, with no words that can reach the depths of love, awe and gratitude that you feel as you cradle the warmth, the life, the perfection all wrapped up in a tiny bundle—your bundle, the most precious little wonder you’ve ever known lying right there in your arms for you to have and hold and cherish. It truly is amazing… a miracle.