The air was already warm at 7:30 a.m. as it usually is at that time of year in Utah. I couldn't have been happier to deliver my last child and finally see and hold her on that Monday in May of 2006.
We were checked in, situated, water broken and the epidural completed......the wait began. With Bill by my side, we chatted about life, family, birth, miracles and about our other three kids. We wondered how they would accept the new addition! It was pleasant to have time alone while waiting to bring this baby into the world.
The clock seemed to stand still. I lay gazing out the window, into the Salt Lake valley at the hectic lives going on out there. It was quiet for me though, at least for a minute. Before we knew it, lunchtime had arrived. As usual, I didn't feel contractions for about 7-8 hours, so I sent Bill to go get himself some lunch for I knew I'd be there a while.
The nurse came in around 5 P.M. and said, "You'll know when it's time. You will feel a major pressure on your bottom." I figured that she was right and that I'd know. She was right. Shortly after she left the room, I had the urge to push. I told Bill that I was pretty sure that this was what the nurse was talking about. He called her back into the room and checked me and sure enough there was Amber, trying to enter into this world.
The nurse reassured me that Dr. Smith was on his way, but I thought to myself, "Why hasn't he been on his way this whole time?" Dr. Smith walked into the room, rushed to wash his hands, put on scrubs and gloves, assumed position. I pushed ONCE and there I saw for the first time, that precious face that I had been waiting 9 1/2 months to see. At 6:09 p.m. Amber Brooklyn's tiny 6lb. 9oz. body was gently placed on my chest and at that moment I wanted her forever. I gave her my heart just as I had given it to my three other children.
Maddy, Jacob, Ashley and grandma Bird came to see our new addition and she was a hit! They all loved her and were so gentle with her. She was definitely a keeper. I made the stay at the hospital as short as possible and before I knew it I was home with my baby.
To celebrate her 3rd birthday....dinner at El Tapatio, cupcakes instead of a cake...(she knows what she wants)...and then she opened presents, naturally. I shed a few tears knowing that she is my baby and she is already three! I love you Amber, to the moon and back! mom.
