Life’s Little Blessings – Babies!

One of my good friends just had her baby yesterday! And, ah, the feelings it brings up for me. I am immediately taken back to Lucy’s birth and how it seems like so long ago. I know – it sounds ridiculous. She is only 16 weeks old. However, it was such a whirlwind of emotions that I have a hard time remembering one specific moment. The moments that do stick in my mind are odd. It is funny how the mind works.

I am not sure why, but once I realized that the pain I was feeling were actual contractions, I was weirdly calm. I was excited about Lucy making her way into this world! But, the amount of pain I would soon be feeling never really dawned on me. Yes, the contractions at home were painful, but not that bad in comparison to what I would later feel. That is something I remember well – the first really painful contraction. Once checked into the hospital and into my stylish gown, I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face. I had been walking up and down the stairs trying to progress labor and the radiators had the temperature at least 100 degrees; I’m sure of it! During my attempt to cool down,…bam. For some reason I thought that if I wiggled around enough I could relieve the ‘cramp.’ So, immediately I started hunching over, squatting, and ended up grasping the handicap assistance bar and thinking I was going to rip it out of the wall.

The next things I remember include being annoyed by Heath standing in front of my ‘focus picture’ during a horrible contraction, watching the scene from Sweet Home Alabama when she shows up at Jake’s house(while trying to sleep), then next thing I knew I was holding my baby girl.

The feeling of looking at that tiny baby that you carried around for so long, knowing that they already love you with all of their little heart, and trying to talk your brain into understanding that you actually created this miracle is amazing.

So, when I heard that my friend’s water broke, I was ecstatic for her. I knew that she was about to experience one of the most wonderful things that she will ever experience. But, it was 7 weeks early. I was terrified for her and sad about how she must have felt. I immediately felt blessed and silly for begging Lucy to come early. I didn’t want to bother her, so I compulsively checked Facebook and texts for updates…nothing. Then, an update - she had to get an emergency C-Section. My heart raced for her and I did some serious praying.

On May 25th, 2010 at 4:56 pm, her son was born. A healthy, almost 6 pound baby boy made his parents’ life complete! A later update claimed he was eating and didn’t need to be on oxygen. It was a true miracle for a 7 week premature baby, truly a miracle.

I thought a lot about it. Her experience was so much different than mine. I felt oddly reassured, and annoyed with Heath and the pain. She had to be scared and willing to feel any pain to guarantee well-being for her baby boy. But, it doesn’t matter now. Two different experiences; but, one wonderful outcome, life’s blessing – a baby.