Buffalo Family’s Outer Banks Vacation Takes a Surprise Turn
In a heartwarming tale that took a twist no one saw coming, a family from Buffalo returned from their late-August vacation to the Outer Banks as a family of four. Alyssa Narkiewicz and her fiancé, David Zajac, welcomed their second daughter, Emersyn Mae Zajac, in their rental house in Corolla, North Carolina, on August 26—just hours after settling in for their vacation. This was a trip they had planned to relax and unwind with friends and family, but it quickly turned into an unforgettable experience.
Vacation Mode to Baby Mode
Zajac shared that their vacation started off quite normally. “It was our second time going to the Outer Banks,” he reminisced. The family group consisted of eight adults and ten children, and their first day was all about unpacking and settling into the beach house. Narkiewicz was just shy of 35 weeks pregnant and initially dismissed her discomfort as simply being sore from moving boxes. However, it wasn’t long before reality set in.
Just after 1 a.m. on August 26, Narkiewicz realized she was in labor. “It was kind of panic mode,” she explained. “I was supposed to have a scheduled C-section at the end of September, so I wasn’t mentally prepared for a natural childbirth.” As they raced to the hospital, her water broke, prompting them to call 911. Before they even planned to leave, the Corolla Fire and Rescue team arrived instead.
A Beach House Birth
What followed is a miraculous story that left everyone in awe. Just seven minutes after the emergency team arrived, baby Emersyn entered the world on the floor of their beach house at 2:43 a.m. Narkiewicz was overcome with emotions, saying, “I thought we’d be able to make it to the hospital, but once my water broke, I knew there was no turning back.”
The couple faced another twist when they learned that Outer Banks Health Hospital wasn’t equipped to handle babies born before 36 weeks or those under five pounds. So, little Emersyn was transferred to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach for 12 days of care in the NICU until she was stable enough to travel back to Buffalo with her family.
The Journey Home
After what can only be described as a whirlwind adventure, the family finally returned home to Buffalo on a Sunday. Zajac jokingly mentioned, “Our daughter Paislee was happy to be there because she got to miss the first two days of school.” The family couldn’t wait to hit the road after receiving the green light for Emersyn to go home.
Narkiewicz shared that having a new baby in the house has been a big change for Paislee. Since Emersyn spent those vital first days in the hospital, “we didn’t have a baby for her to see at first,” she noted. However, Paislee has stepped up as a big sister, helping out with feedings and showing her baby sister plenty of love.
A New Normal
Although it has been an adjustment, Paislee is thriving in her new role. “She’s been a great help so far,” Narkiewicz said. “Today, she went back to school, so she’s back in her little routine, but she’s been so excited to help.” It looks like the family’s new adventure is just beginning. The doctors were even calling Emersyn “Beach House Baby” — a fitting nickname for the little one who surprised everyone during a seemingly ordinary vacation.
This unexpected yet beautiful experience reminds us that life is full of surprises. For the Narkiewicz-Zajac family, their trip to the Outer Banks turned into a cherished memory they will carry with them forever.
