Life coming full circle.......

Every year on my children's birthdays, I reminisce and tell them their birth stories. And every year they would sigh and say things like "OMG- here she goes again." "Mom, please don't cry, Oh God, she's crying!"

I can't help it. I can't! Those were life changing events for me. I want them to know how they made their grand entrance into this world. Today, I will share with you my daughter Lucie's birth story.

I was 19 years old, married and we were living in Junction City, KS. Like most 19 year olds, I thought I knew everything. Reality, I didn't know shit. This was soon to be revealed to me.
I was two weeks over due with Lucie and completely miserable. After begging my Dr. he finally agreed to induce me on Dec 9th 1995.

They day of induction was pretty routine. IV med, heart monitors, baby monitors, Dr.'s and nurses in and out of the room, me sucking on ice chips, you know the normal stuff. Then it came time to push. I remember thinking how amazing it was that my body just knew- something primal takes over when you are delivering a baby. I knew- Now!- I have to push. So- I pushed and pushed. I felt like I pushed for hours- I was exhausted. The Dr. suggested to bring out a mirror, so I could see my progress and watch myself push this child out. The mirror was incredibly helpful. As I pushed I saw Lucie's head make her way out. Finally- after hours of pushing- one last push and Lucie was out.

I firmly believe Lucie was a born talker. She came out screaming. She was pissed. The Dr. laid her on my belly and she was this tight little package. There she was, this little pissed of being- Lucie had shit to say and opinions from day one.

What I didn't know at the tender age of 19- when I thought I knew everything- was that you bleed after birth. Not just a normal period bleed, I mean you B.L.E.E.D! The first time I stood up out of bed to use the bathroom, I had blood rushing down my legs. I just stood there crying- thinking something was wrong. Looking back on it now- I laugh at how naïve I was.

What stood out the most to me was the day we left the hospital. Lucie's father got to carry her out of the hospital. He stood tall- taller than he actually was- and proud. He had large tears falling him his face- all while smiling the biggest smile I have ever witnessed. I knew, in that moment, that was the happiest day of his life. I recently recognized that same smile in a picture Lucie shared with me when her father came to visit. Both standing next to one another his hand on her belly- and that same proud smile.

Life coming full circle.......