On Being A Mother

These two are the reason I get to celebrate Mother's Day. I can't even express how much I love them. I have done so many things in my life for nothing more than the sake and happiness of my children. I can't believe how much joy and fun kids bring to your life, and you can't comprehend it until you have your own. Adelaide has been my little angel for the past four and a half years. She is a feisty, spunky, independent little girl (wonder where she gets that from) who is full of personality and I can't get enough of her. She has become the best big sister and loves her little brother completely. That brings me to my little Reggie. I can't quit looking at him because I am still absolutely amazed that he has finally made it to our family. Even with the sleepless nights and non-stop feeding, I feel like it's all been a dream, like I'm not quite in touch with reality. I am so thankful for the opportunity to raise a second child, I am lucky indeed.

There is nothing in the world as hard and also as rewarding as being a mother, I wouldn't take it back for a second. I am so thankful for my two beautiful kids. I love being a mother and I know how blessed I am to have given birth to both of them. As I have said before, I don't take it for granted, not one bit. They are amazing and I look forward to watching them grow and learn every day.

I love you Adelaide and Reggie, more than you can ever know.

Señor Cool

Monday was a big day. We got to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. and I was officially in labor by 7:15. I have to say that for the most part, it was a normal, uncomplicated 7 1/2 hours. We started feeling like there might be something going on, though, when Reggie's heart rate struggled to recover after each contraction. I also started clotting which made them think my placenta was detaching too soon. So my awesome nurse, Susan, started throwing around the C word (c-section).

I started praying that we could find a way to avoid that route if at all possible. Prayer answered. The clotting stopped and I was able to find a position to lay in that allowed Reggie's heart rate to recover.

Then came time to push. My little man should have been delivered in two pushes, unfortunately no matter what I did after a certain point, his body wouldn't budge and he was not recovering from the pushing and contractions. Out came the vacuum and two more pushes, he was finally here. Fortunately, through this process, I was unaware that the cord was tightly wound around my son's neck and this was the reason he was stuck and not recovering.

All the while, Davey stood watching patiently as this was going on, with a smile on his face, coaxing and assuring me that me and my son were doing great. I never once recognized a sign of fear or distress on his face. I can't even express how grateful I am for this quality of his. I discovered after the fact, that his cord had to be clamped and cut before he could be delivered because it was tethering him back. I was only able to hold him for a minute before they had to whisk him away because of breathing difficulties. If I had known exactly what was going on through the process, I would have been terrified and stressed beyond belief for the health of my son.

Davey stayed by his side through an hour and a half of his struggle to breathe until he was finally stabilized. They brought him in to me pink, sucking, and breathing like a champ.

I was so relieved. I am so thankful for simple answers to prayers and for a husband who is calm and collected in the face of uncertainty. I am grateful for my fabulous doctor who also kept his calm and did everything he could to get my baby here safe and sound. I am completely in love with my little boy and thankful to have the opportunity to raise two beautiful children.

Life is good.