I have been reflecting on this past year a lot this week as Heidi turns one. I realized I was “on hiatus” when she was born, so in honor of her, I will post what I wrote in her baby journal from my hospital bed while I was in labor.
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April 15, 2004 11:00am
So here we are! It’s Thursday, April 15th and I am sitting in a bed at Livingston Memorial Hospital getting ready for a dose of penicillin and then a little “help” to start my labor with you. I visited the doctor yesterday and found that I was 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced, so they thought it might be a good idea to get this party started in a controlled environment so you don’t accidentally catch my group B strep. I was all for it! No more aches, heartburn, or hourly potty trips! I hope and pray all goes well.
We woke up at 6:45am today. It’s clear and 55 degrees. We gave Addie a bath and got dressed. We took Ad to Gram and Gramp's at 7:30am and I got a blessing from Papa and Daddy. Addie is staying at Grandma’s with Gram and Aunt Angie. Daddy and I got a sausage McMuffin and I at 2 plums and checked in to the hospital at about 8:15am. Nurse Ruth got me set up in a room and robe. Daddy took some video. Ruth put in an IV for antibiotics and I almost passed out (why do needles freak me out so much?!). But I am fine and just waiting to get the drugs through my system to you then start LABOR…that should be this afternoon with Dr. Burwell.
In the mean time, I am chewing soft hospital ice, writing, watching cable news, etc. Dad went back to work for a while, but he’ll be back soon. We are so excited to meet you, yet still a little in shock that today is the day (you were due on April 25th or 28th, depending on who you ask). Adeline is so excited to be a big sister—she keeps talking about, “doctor gets baby sister out of mommy’s tummy and I will hold’em and rock’em!” You will be loved to death! So do you part—don’t forget to tuck and roll around that pelvic corner, and be sure to breathe and cry mightily so we know you’re really here! I can’t wait to meet you, baby!
IN THE NEWS: Today Kim Jong Il turns 62 and Roy Clark from Hee-Haw turns 71. Also, Osama bin Laden released a tape offering to halt terrorist actions against European nations if they turn on the US, leave the coalition, and pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Most coutries have already said NO WAY: WE DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS—good for them—but I think Spain will cave.
April 16, 2005 3:20am
Dear Baby Heidi,
You made it safely in to the world at 9:41pm on 4/15. For the record, you were born during the finale of “
The Apprentice” TV show, right when they announced BILL as the winner. Of course I was breathing and pushing and thrashing, so that’s about all I know about that! You are a beautiful girl, joyfully welcomed by daddy and me [and Dr. Burwell, 2 nurses, and an EMT student observing], and later at 10:30pm by Grandma, Grandpa, and Addie. We all love you so much and feel blessed to have you, lovely and healthy, in our family! You are nursing right now—so sweet and tiny—so I have to go snuggle you!
Love, Mom
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Heidi has been such a cool addition to our family. One of my greatest daily joys has been watching the sister relationship develop between Addie and Heidi. I love my sisters so much—I am so glad Addie and Heidi will always have each other and I pray they will be best friends (at least
someday). It has been a great learning experience for me as I get to know Heidi and her temperament and adjust my teaching and discipline accordingly. Her personality seems to have two extremes—she can be sweeter and snugglier than Addie was, but she is also much louder and furious when things don’t go her way. Sometimes I think her hair should have stayed red (we call her Captain Furious)! I still can’t get over the feeling of her hands on my face, her nuzzling my neck and murmuring, “Ma-ma, Ma-ma.” Somehow that erases all the sleepless nights and crying jags and the cleaning of various bodily fluids—and it makes me try to keep living up to the privilege of being her (and Addie’s) mother. Here's to a wonderful second year, Heidi Lynn!
