rainy day woman: On the Day You Were Born

You are here! You are finally here! I keep pinching myself to make me believe you are truly mine. (I also keep pinching myself to keep me awake, but that's for another day). My sweet girl. Today is your Daddy's birthday. Yesterday your Lally was telling us all about the day he was born. You are 7 weeks new tomorrow and I'm so afraid of forgetting any piece of the day you were born. It was long. It was tough. But it was the most beautiful day(s) of my life- right up there next to the rainy day I married your amazing Daddy.

The night before you were to be evicted from my tummy, your Nettie, Papa, She She, Bry Bry, Lula, Lukey, Daddy, and I went to dinner. It was great to be together.

Nettie and Papa spent the night at our house so that they could wake up with us in the morning. I didn't sleep a wink. I was so excited and nervous about becoming your mama.

In the morning, Nettie and Papa walked us out to Daddy's truck and gave us big hugs. Now, they REALLY wanted to be getting in the truck with us at that moment, but Daddy and I had decided we needed some time to settle in to the hospital just the two of us.

My sweet girl, tears rolled down my cheeks in the dark for the entire drive to the hospital. I thought all the way back to the first time I ever saw your Daddy, then through the years of our lives together, and how all those years brought us to this exact moment. It was one of the craziest feelings I've ever had. I can't explain the intense emotions that were drumming through my body. Your Daddy took my hand and told me everything was going to be okay. And like most times, he was right. (But don't tell him I said that.)

When we got to the 3rd floor, I remember a nurse named Kim showed us to our room. Two other nurses came to help settle us in. I made sure to tell all of the nurses "Happy Nurses Week." I wanted them to know I appreciated everything they were doing to take care of us. I don't know if it was my acknowledgement of Nurses Week or what, but they were all incredible. Seriously. They are some of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth. Every single one was so kind and did anything and everything to make us comfortable. I couldn't stomach half of their job requirements. I have the biggest respect for nurses. But let me stay on course. This is all about you, my girl.

Those nurses left us at the end of their shift and then we met Barbara, or Babs. She was a friend of some of your cousins, so I felt comfortable knowing that we had an "in". Babs was our nurse for the day, and she was as awesome. She even stayed on past her shift to be with us. Dr. White came in to check on us and we started the pitosin to help get you moving. Soon after, Babs made sure I had an epidural to help with the pain from contractions. I was terrified about this, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Again, your Daddy held my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.

Our family members started pouring in around 8:30, beginning with your Lally. Around lunch time, she began taking bets on what time you would arrive, how big you would be, and what color your hair and eyes would be.

I bet 1:30 p.m. because it was in a half hour and I was ready. Of course, I lost. Good news...we still won all of the money though. Your college fund is already started with $12!

The day ticked by. Your Nettie helped me breathe through the nauseousness with each contraction. Your Papa quietly stood by watching my monitors while I slept. Your Daddy sneezed into his shirt and practically bathed in hand sanitizer. He had come down with a cold that morning. Everyone kept coming back to check on me and to see if you were ready. Your entire family was there waiting for you. They waited. And they waited. And they waited a whole lot more. They were really patient.

At 7:00 p.m. when the nurses changed shifts Babs left us and in came Kim. My oh my, the I love I have for Kim. Kim gave me peppermint oil to help with the nausea and then dosed me with some Zofran. She joked with our family and placed her bet on your arrival time and size. She would gently wake me between contractions to change my position to help you move along. Kim was an angel and she will forever hold a place so dear in my heart. If you had an unmarried uncle, I would have married him off on the spot.

At 1:20 a.m. she woke me up to tell me it was time. Dr. White, who also stayed on past her shift for you, came in the room, and in that moment I remember thinking how everything was so calm and peaceful. Dr. White is also very special to our family. She delivered your cousins years before you. I began pushing at 1:25. Your Daddy was on my right side and Kim was on my left both coaching me along. Once more, your Daddy held on to me and told me everything was going to be okay. At 1:36, I closed my eyes and pushed with all my might until I heard Kim tell me to open my eyes... And there you were... Your teeny little hiney staring back at me. Dr. White's hands wrapping around your small chest. And suddenly I felt as if my heart was now outside of my body; and I knew that my life -our lives- would never be the same again. When they placed you on my chest, I held you close and told you everything was going to be okay- just like your Daddy said it would. You are an amazing little miracle and you have stolen each of our hearts. Welcome to our lives, Sweet Girl. You have made my heart so full and our world so much more joyful. We love you always.