A Birth Story

28 years ago I became a Mom for the first time.

I remember desperately wanting to get pregnant and have a baby. I had been married for almost 6 years and I had watched my sisters and sister in law bring home new babies and I knew with all my heart I wanted to be a Mama.

We tried for almost a full year with out conceiving. When I finally thought I might be pregnant I scheduled an appointment with a obstetrician and went to see him in secret. The next day they called me with the results from the pregnancy test they were POSITIVE.

I remember when I told John I was pregnant his eyes welled up with tears, we hugged and kissed and
then immediately got on the phone and started calling our families. We were both so excited.

My pregnancy was pretty uneventful just a little bit of morning sickness. Nothing that a few crackers or shortbread cookies couldn't fix. I loved being pregnant.

The sad part is I don't have vivid memories of the day leading up to the delivery.

I remember leaving the house to go to the hospital, John drove me in his 1982 Trans Am and he was concerned about my water breaking on his car seat so he had me sit on a stack of towels. I on the other hand was concerned about doing this whole delivery thing.

I just have a few memories of the labor and delivery...

• The enema prep thank God they don't do those anymore.
• The Dr. coming  into the delivery room and telling me it was "his Birthday too" and that I should have Neal look him up when he turns 21 and they could go out for a drink together.
• That at one point I thought I was dying, because no woman could have ever experienced as much pain as I was having and live to tell about it. (It was the 80's and we women thought it was cool to have a totally natural child birth.)
• I also remember being surprised how the pain just stopped after the baby was born. I guess I thought it would continue to linger on, but it didn't.

I delivered at 3:59 am after just 4 hours of labor. I was so happy and so in love that I couldn't sleep I just layed there awake counting the hours till I was allowed visitors so I could show him off. 

I wish I could remember more of the details of that day, but I don't. I wish I had of been blogging back then so I would have a better account of the day, but I wasn't. I do however remember bringing our baby home. It was a perfect Spring day in the middle of winter. We pulled up to the house and some of our family was already there waiting to welcome the baby, John had cleaned the house and bought and prepared food so we could have a little celebration when we got home, and I was perhaps the happiest person alive.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Footnote to Footnotes: Lady's/Gentlemen I highly suggest you start a journal documenting your life especially the big events. I know you think you will always remember "that day". The wedding, the new baby, the engagement the special Christmas, but life goes on and memories become blurry. It only takes a few moments, get your self a blank book or start your own little blog. It can be totally private if that's what you wish. JUST DO IT you will thank me 28 years from now.