A Day to Remember

This is my daughter's birthday. Here are a few of the things I remember from the day of her debut into the world.

Realized at 11 a.m. that something might be happening, but that it might be some time yet. She was our second child, and I was in labor a while with our first, so I figured I had plenty of time.

Nevertheless, I phoned the folks who'd be looking after my son, just in case.

Had lunch, then -- miraculously -- a nap with my son, who was two and a half at the time. Miraculously, because this lad believed naps were for other (presumably less exciting and/or interesting) children.

Woke up from the nap at about 2 p.m. to realize, yep, this was it. No doubt about it. (Labor pains are like really bad menstrual cramps, at least in my experience.)

Phoned the hubby, who was going to be wallpapering the baby's nursery that weekend (she was due the 25th), at work. His reaction? "NO!" Mine, "Yes! Come home NOW!"

Phoned the folks again. My mom had been practically sitting by the phone since 11 a.m. They're on the way!

Hubby arrives home about 4. With a take-out dinner of KFC. Because when we had my son? He didn't get dinner. A second child might come quicker, but he wasn't taking any chances.

The folks arrive. Bid adieu to them and my son. We get in the car, with the KFC, to drive to the hospital.

Arrive at the hospital at 6 p.m. -- the same time I arrived when I gave birth to my son, who was born at 1 am the following morning.

I walk in pretty much calling for an epidural, STAT! Pain is not my friend. Now, I had never seen one of these, or I might have reconsidered. However, I had not, so...give me the epidural! I am making with the jokes, because this is my reaction to stress. "You must have a low pain threshold," I'm told. Okaaaaay, but give me the epidural anyway, okay?

Then comes the labor room, which was decorated as such rooms were many years ago. In other words, not decorated. Institutional green, blinds, machines. Cozy as an operating theater.

When things reach a certain stage, I'm wheeled to the delivery room. In transit, my water breaks. I -- and I kid you not -- apologize profusely for this.

The rest is kind of a blur, until the baby arrives and my husband announces, "It's a boy!"

My doctor immediately says, "No, it's not. It's a girl!"

It was 8 p.m. and there was much joy in that room. Not only was our daughter here safe and sound, she was the first granddaughter for my folks, who had three grandsons at that time (they have 9 grandchildren now).

My folks let my son stay up so his dad could come home and tell him the news. Good thing he'd had that nap.

My mother thought I'd have a lovely night's sleep. I didn't sleep a wink. Too excited and happy.

Yep, truly a day to remember!