Her Birth Day

I have been trying to organize all my pictures. Editing, deleting, organizing them into monthly folders. It is a big task. It has been really fun for me to go back and look at pictures of me and Anton just after we were married and working on our house, me being pregnant and having Lilly, Lilly growing up, and now our life with Claire. Pictures always bring back memories I had forgotten about, or didn't think much of. The day Lilly and Claire were born, I can remember every little detail. It is so funny. Even now, I look back on when Lilly was born, and I can remember the strangest things. Same with Claire. The morning I went into Labor with Claire, I was such a basket case. I thought for sure I was going to go into labor with her the night before. I was up all night with contractions, but they weren't consistent enough to have me go to the hospital. So, the following night, I decided to take a Tylenol PM to help me get all the rest I could. Apparently it worked. I woke up with soaking wet pajamas and sheets. My water had broke, and I didn't even know it. I hopped in the shower, and had a good cry. I was so worried for the big change that was going to take place. I worried for Lilly. I worried for me and Anton. It was just a roller coaster of emotions. I remember calling my parents and telling them "it was time" and that we needed to drop Lilly off. I also called my sister to tell her I was in labor. I cried to her on the phone about "what if it is a girl, and I can never say to Lilly 'you are the most beautiful girl in the world' again. I cried again when I got to my parents. I was a wreck. We stopped at The Store to get some breakfast for Anton, then we were off to the hospital. I remember being so afraid of my epidural. I was shaking I was so afraid. I couldn't handle the thought of having complications again. But, all went well. After a while, I had progressed enough to send the doctor down so I could start pushing. At the same time, my epidural was wearing off. The pain, OH THE PAIN. I don't know how women do it naturally. Really. Finally, the anesthesiologist came and gave me some more of the good stuff, and it was starting to kick in right when I had my first push. Claire came into the world, not 15 minutes later. It was the best moment I can remember, when the doctor said "Its a Girl!", I remember looking at Anton and laughing. I was so excited I had another little girl. My mom cried, then I cried. I loved that the nurses and doctors that were in the room were so excited and anxious to find out what we were having. My dad, and sister who were outside the door, could hardly wait to hear the news. Anton called his mom seconds after she was born. Letting everyone know what we had, was so fun!

The whole experience was amazing, and exciting. I fell in love with her the moment I met her. I couldn't imagine my life with her, and instantly I couldn't imagine my life without her.