About the Day You Were Born

For Ellie

Three Septembers ago, I waited for you.  I tried to remain patient since babies come when they’re ready, but you were eight days behind schedule.  {We are often late now because you always have one more thing you need to do before we go.}

On Monday, Sept 29, I had an appointment with the midwife to check in on you in your little world.  The ultrasound tech said that you had plenty of room {shocking} but what you don’t know is that Mommy had PUPPP {like chronic hives} all over.  The only cure was to give birth.

We left the office and I was feeling tired, sad, and a little scared.  I called your Nana and started to cry, “I don’t want to be induced,” I said to her.  Nana cried a little, too.  When I got home, I packed a bag and tried to remember that no matter how it happened, I was finally going to be holding you in my arms.

When we got to the hospital, they gave us a room that made my teeth chatter. My teeth chatter when I’m nervous.  Finally, the midwife came.  To help you out, the midwife had to break your indoor swimming pool.  {It just occurred to me how much you hate getting out of the tub & how I have to pull the plug on you nightly.}

It was almost dinnertime on that Monday and you were ready to get out.  Daddy ate pork & mashed potatoes while I hit my head on the tile in the bathroom just to feel something else.  Some mommies get pain medicine while they wait for their babies, but your Mommy is crazy.  Instead, we listened to music {your current bedtime CD} & when it was really ouchy, I pretended to pet our Toby dog.

I was so tired, but then Marcia said, “Reach down and get your baby.”  I pulled you out and Marcia helped lift you to my chest and I cried.

“There you are,” I said.

You were wide awake and absolutely amazing.  I thought I knew love before that moment, but then I met you.  I could feel my heart growing as I held you close.  To feel your soft skin on mine, to look into your eyes – it brought me joy.

With you, I experience that joy everyday.  When you come down the stairs in the morning with your hair a total mess carrying five baby dolls in your arms- joy.  Walking hand in hand in search of butterflies – joy.  Snuggling, reading, laughing together – joy.  You are my special girl, a gift to us from God.  And I will love you, protect you, and help you to grow, but…  you’ll always be my baby.

I love you sweet girl.  Happy Birthday.