Happy Half-Birthday to You
Dear Alexander Josef,
I can’t believe you are six months old already. I remember the week you were born. We had planned to have two Doulas-in-training assist, but you were already a week late. One of our Doulas had to leave for a roller derby in Las Vegas, but stopped by the hospital to wish us luck. I was admitted Monday morning at 8 am. They started the induction, had a hard time finding my vein for the heplock. Tried two rounds of Cervadil. We spent an uneventful night. Tuesday morning I had a pitocin drip turned up to 20 and beautiful contractions. By lunchtime I was on oxygen to make sure you were getting enough for all this activity.. By 2:00 my water broke, and things really started getting uncomfortable. Doula Grace gave me wonderful massages, and we worked and worked on the labor ball. Over 36 hours since admission. Got an epidural. Didn’t get much sleep the second night. Was pretty tired by Wednesday morning, but finally 5 centimeters. Things got faster. By 11:24 I was pushing. Nurse Esme brought a mirror so I could see the top of your head, but you were not getting any closer. After two and a half hours of pushing we were worried about your heartrate and prepped for surgery. At 2:31, Wednesday, July 30th 2009, you were born. Your father held my hand and Doula Grace took pictures.
You were so beautiful. Your APGAR score was nine. I got to hold you right away in the operating room. We all went down the hall to the labor room and you nursed for the first time before you went with your dad up to the nursery and I was wheeled to the post-partum room where we would spend another three nights. You were the best-looking baby in the nursery. You still are. I love you so much little bug.
Happy Half-Birthday. Many happy returns of the day. Love, your Momma.
