Since we have moved to Arkansas we are continually asked how many children we have. (That is a common question, especially if people know we are on staff at FamilyLife. Four children around there is average) In the back of my mind I am always thinking five even though we only have four with us. On March 1, 2002 I went into preterm labor and delivered our third baby 16 weeks prematurely.  Emma Mae was born at 24 weeks gestation weighing 1 pound and 10 1/2 ounces. She was 12 1/2 inches long. Emma was with us for 35 1/2 hours. She died from a pulmonary hemmorage (a major vessel in her lung “popped”). 

From time to time the kids will ask about her and we explain (again) what happened.  Elizabeth was the most impacted and still longs for a baby sister.  I sometimes feel cheated when I look in the mirror and see all the stretch marks. I have been pregnant and given birth 5 times and have 4 to show for it. It is those times I recall the way God worked through our lives during that time and that His plan is perfect. There are times I still wonder what she would look like or how girlie would she be. She would have been 4 this year.  Then I look at my family and thank God for each and everyone of them.

Here is a link to the page Mike made in 2002.

http://mikeriley.freeservers.com/emma/emma.html

In one of the pictures you can see a normal sized syringe.  Also, my hand is next to her in one of them. It is really hard to grasp how tiny she was.  The diaper is about the size of a panty liner.  Her head was about the size of a large lemon. Her hands were so tiny that she could only grasp my pinky half way.

On her grave marker is the scripture: Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.