It was a Monday afternoon. You weren’t due for over another month, but I just had a feeling. That day when I went to my OB appointment I was greeted with the news that I was 3 centimeters dilated. To go home. Put up my feet. Rest. And so I did. But as the afternoon wore on I couldn’t stop thinking that it was time. I packed my bags. Unpacked them. And packed them again. I tried to furiously get our work email empty and tried to cuddle with Rachel every second that she’d let me. Ewan kept telling me to relax. Put my feet up. Rest. But I couldn’t be bothered because the kitchen floor still needed to be scrubbed and I wanted to make sure I had packed socks for the eighth time. And then the contractions started. Hard and fast and one on top of each other. Knowing that your big sister had been born in less than three hours, we knew we had to move fast. Off we went.
But by the time we got to the hospital the contractions had stopped. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I was six centimeters dilated, but definitely not in labour. The doctors wouldn’t let us leave because obviously something was going on, but labour not so much. We spent the night walking up and down the halls, trying to get you to budge, but you weren’t interested. The nurse told me that if you weren’t interesting in joining us by 9:00 that I’d be induced to start contractions and I was far from okay with that thought. So I walked. And jumped up and down. And cried. I begged and pleaded for my body to kick into gear, but in the end it just didn’t happen. At exactly 9:01 the doctors were ready to get the show on the road and low-and-behold labour finally started. At this point you decided that you wanted to be in control of the world and made your appearance less than 1.5 hours later. You were apparently anxious to meet us and we were excited to finally hold you too. Your sister on the other hand took a few days to warm up to you :)
Sarah Elizabeth, you are without a doubt the world’s happiest baby. We have heard you cry a total of 4 times your entire life. You’re just always happy. You charm everyone you meet and your smile is infectious. Your big sister loves you more than you’ll ever know and gets so excited when she hears you wake up from your nap. She can’t wait to just throw her arms around you and start playing again. You’re her best friend. Every single minute with you has been a blessing and we are so thankful to have you in our lives. You may have arrived early, but right from the beginning you’ve been ready to conquer the world. You’re going to go far in life and we are already so proud of you. So, on your first birthday we want you to know how much we love you. Happy Birthday little girl. xoxoxox.
- Love Mommy, Toti and Rachel (oh, and the 2 chubby cats you like to terrorize)
by Brianna
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