You were such a surprise. Never a mistake, a wonderful surprise. And I loved you the moment I realized you were coming (and the 6 tests confirmed it). It wasn't the best of circumstances, but I knew we'd be okay. People kept asking if I was having twins since you made your presence known quickly. The ultrasound really just looked like an alien, but for some reason everyone thought you had a penis growing in there. Except Auntie Skip, who kept insisting you were going be a girl.
As the day grew closer I was getting restless. I just wanted you in my arms. I had all sorts of clothes in greens and yellows, Pooh themed décor, a pack & play set up with bassinet that fit in our one room cottage. But you weren't budging. The doctor thought you'd be a little early. So as I watched the Patriots win their way into Super Bowl XXXI I realized you weren't going anywhere.
I went to the doctor's office the next day and they told me it was time to start getting you out. It was still a day before your due date, but they thought it was time. I was sent to the hospital and given an IV of Pictocin to start inducing labor. Then I was sent home. On the way I stopped to get a haircut. Because I knew I wouldn't have time once you were here. The hairdresser asked when I was due...I told them they had already started inducing me. The fastest damn haircut I've ever gotten! I think they were afraid my water would break there in the salon.
The doctor said that the labor would progress, but that if I didn't start having contractions we had to be back at the hospital the next morning. Needless to say I didn't sleep so much. Apparently you did, because you made no effort to get that labor going. So back to the hospital we went, no contractions and no water broken. I was starting to wonder if you were just too comfortable in there.
When we got there, all the technical stuff started. They had to break my water, hooked us both up to monitors, and gave me the drugs. Ah, the drugs. I'm sure all of this would have been worse without the wonders of pharmacology. And then it was again time to wait. You still weren't budging. So I watched soaps and talk shows and just tried to keep myself calm. Until your heart rate started to drop. All of a sudden people were moving quickly. The doctor checked me out and thought we could give it a shot, even though I wasn't dilated enough. Meanwhile, they were prepping an OR for us to be taken to.
It was time to push. And the only chance I'd have, before they wheeled me into surgery. So I pushed. And pushed. For a stubborn one you came out pretty quickly. Had to make a dramatic entrance, I think. Or maybe you were drawn to Oprah's voice. As they were checking your stats the doctor said "it's a girl". My response..."Are you sure?" I guess all those people who were convinced you were a boy must have gotten into my head.
When they finally brought you to me I looked into your dark blue eyes and knew exactly who you were. You were my baby. Whether we're together or not, whether you like it or not, you will always be my baby. And as of 4:42pm Tuesday January 14 1997 I am your mom. And nobody will ever love you like I do. I just hope that someday you will realize that.
