I'm the BIG sister!

Finally, after waiting for what seemed like forever, Emma is a big sister!  Annika Marie was born on August 18, 2012 at 9:53 am.  At about 3 in the morning we dropped Emma off at Aunt Susan's house on the way to the hospital. I know that Emma chatted away in the backseat for the entire trip, but due to the contractions I don't remember anything.
Aunt Susan told us that Emma didn't go back to sleep after being dropped off. They played, colored, did a water color book, made food, and hung out.  Emma asked Aunt Susan if the baby was going to be born and seemed excited to meet the baby.
When Steve called to make the announcement, Emma said "I wanted a sister; I got what I wished for!" We didn't know the name yet. When they came to the hospital around 3 pm that afternoon I was nursing Annika, which is a bummer. Emma came in with a huge smile on her face but then stopped and was tentative when she saw the baby on my tummy. Emma was very sweet with the baby and held her a few times. Aunt Susan and Emma went home that night with plans to be in touch the next day.  (Aunt Susan told us that after we got off the phone with them to announce that the baby was born Emma focused on two things. She really wanted to meet the baby and to check on the status of my lap.)

Sunday Aunt Susan told us that Emma kept asking when can we go see my sister. They came about the same time as Aunt Darcy and Uncle Steve. There were presents for both girls, and Emma was only a little put out by the attention everyone was bestowing on the baby.  We talked about names and by the end of the day we had decided on Annika Marie, but no one knew yet. (The email went out that night.)  Aunt Susan and Emma came back with dinner from Monty's that night. We introduced them to Annika. Emma approved the name.
The next morning Aunt Susan dropped Emma off around 7am. We had a long day of sitting and waiting for our doctor to give us the OK to leave. Dr. Flannery came by around 12:30 so we went home not long after that. Emma chose Chinese food for lunch so they went and picked it up leaving Annika and I at home. It was a wonderful beginning of the next phase of the adventure- being home!

Emma seemed genuinely to love her little sister right from the start. And even though the days were disrupted by her, Emma seemed mostly concerned about the lack of attention. She didn't try to take it out on Annika. Whew. :)

Apparently Emma corrected Tom and Karen on the correct pronunciation of Annika during a morning visit before preschool.

She seems shy when people ask her if she likes being a big sister. Sometimes she says yes. She has yet to say no.