Friday, October 2, 2009

Seven

7 years ago tonight I was in the hospital. I had been in labor for 41 hours at this point, and had just finally given in and decided to get the epidural. My birth plan had been to go completely drug free, but at 2 weeks overdue and labor not progressing I was worried I wouldn't be strong enough to deliver you if I didn't get some rest, which the epidural did allow me to do. I don't regret that decision, although I wish I hadn't had to make it. I remember that The West Wing was on when they came in to give me a shot, and I was trying to watch it at the same time that they were sticking a needle in my spine.

I would be in labor for another 7 and a half hours beyond that, with nearly 2 hours of that spent pushing.

I think you must have been pretty comfortable in there.

But on October 3, 2002 at 4:35 am, PST, you finally entered the world.

And my world will never been the same.

You have brought me immeasurable joy. Pride. But most of all, love. Some days you exasperate me to no end, but the love is still there. Will always be there. There is nothing you can do that will change that. Nothing. I will always love you.

48 hours of labor. It's a story I always tell expectant mothers to ask for AFTER they've given birth. I don't want to scare them.

But I always end the story the same way.

I would do it all over again, in a heartbeat. Without a second thought. It was more than worth it.

Happy 7th birthday, baby.

14 comments:

Melissa said...

Sounds like the labor I had with Thing 1. And he is still totally exasperating!

Happy Bday!

kayerj said...

Somehow the little one is worth the pain, and not just at birth. After raising 5 kids and going through painful periods of growth with them, I still find myself saying it was worth it.

Happy Birthday to the May Queen.

Chrissy said...

You are a very strong woman.

Happy birthday MQ!

Beck said...

Happy birthday to your sweet girl!
Your labour story sounds a lot like my labour with my 2nd kid. Next one? Under 5 four hours, pushed for 2 minutes. It was startlingly different, to say the least.

flutter said...

Aw, so sweet, HBD MQ!

Rima said...

I hope the May Queen had a fabulous day!

P.S. I remember trying to watch West Wing while I was in labor with the V-meister. It was my favorite TV show at the time.

Aunt Becky said...

Happy Birthday, sweet May Queen. I hear 7 is the new 6!

Anonymous said...

I hope she has a very happy birthday and a year full of wishes come true.

Magpie said...

A belated happy birthday to the May Queen!

Furrow said...

Phew! Good thing she's a doll. Totally worth it.

Anonymous said...

happy birthday!!

Kyla said...

Happy birthday, MQ!

She has the same birthday as BubTar's best buddy, just a year later.

Amy Y said...

Sorry I'm late (I was away!) but Happy belated Birthday to your beautiful MQ! Hope she had the happiest of days!

Louise said...

Happy Birthday May Queen! (I know this is late.)

As for your mom, I'm sorry she had to do something she didn't want to do, but all I can say is that labor before the epidural (especially the first one) was horrific. Labor after was pleasant. I didn't mind that decision one bit! But I think it had to be the right decision for her, even if not desired. That is too long to have that kind of stress.