Memories from August 31st

5 years ago.

I had hard, fast contractions all of a sudden, after finishing a piece of leftover pizza and a diet coke.

The doctors couldn't find the anesthesiologist--the paging system was down, so they offered me another drug which made me feel drunk, but still completely in pain.

It was in this state that I realized that the doctor who was to deliver my baby was from the family practice clinic, and had catheterized my two year old just days before.

My water broke as I was getting the epidural. . . the baby was coming, and there was mild chaos in the room as the anesthesiologist tried to finish up and everyone else took their places. No, I'd say it was full blown chaos.

She arrived just after 6pm. She looked like her daddy. We didn't know her name for a while, but Jess was anxious to call family. We asked the doctor and nurse this question: We have a 'Sam.' We might name her 'Ella.' Do you see anything funny about that?" No one immediately thought of a food poisoning, so we named her Ella Rose.

The minute Jess left the room I changed my mind. It was too late, though, for he called everyone. Good thing. She's definitely an Ella Rose.

The first night, we realized our little girl wanted to be held and snuggled all the time. She still does.

Our makeshift hospital room was a joke. Tiny, stuffed with unnecessary equipment, loud. We were anxious to leave.

We walked out of the hospital with a screaming newborn AND a tantrum throwing toddler and knew life was about to change! And it was for the better!

Rosie, in my bed, the morning of her birthday. She snuck in in the early hours of the morning.

waking up five.