Every year, before my children's birthdays, I recount the hours (and sometimes the days) leading up to their birth. I think back to what I was doing, how I felt and what the labor was like. Today is no different.
Sage, my third born, will be eleven tomorrow. I know that it is a parental cliche, but I truly can not believe how fast the time has gone. As I look at Sage's baby pictures I feel a surge of nostalgia, happiness and love. The tiny little baby that I see in the pictures is now a young lady full of opinions, ideas and gumption.
My pregnancy with Sage was pretty smooth sailing until the end. The last few weeks were really rough with pre-term labor and even a false alarm trip to the hospital on Febuary 12th (I was four cm for almost two weeks). I was able to time contractions down to four, five minutes apart for hours in the days before I actually had Sage. I remember walking the hill by my apartment with my mom trying to bring on full blown labor.
The real deal finally began on on Feburary 21st. It was a Thursday and I had attended a baby shower at my Ex's work. When I came home, I felt a little off and I knew this was it.
After several hours of walking and watching Winter Olympics skiing (timing the contractions with the skiers going down the slopes was actually helpful), Sage entered into the world with a bang! The last part of labor actually happened very fast and one thing I remember in particular, is that the nurse argued with me on wether she was actually coming. She had just checked me and I was an eight, but with a quick change of position, (I had turned over and was on my knees holding on to the back of the bed for dear life) suddenly, I could feel that it was time. She said I couldn't be fully dilated and refused to check me. I have to give my Ex credit for what happened next, he told her I had already given birth to two other children (recently, I might add, my son was only one and my daughter three), and that I was laboring naturally, which meant no drugs, aka I COULD FEEL EVERYTHING! After encouraging her to listen to me, they called for the Dr., (who by the way didn't have time to put on her glove.) Moments later, with barely a push, she arrived into the world. I was even able to help pull her onto my belly.
Sage was beautiful. Perfect. She had this gorgeous olive skin and these black eyes that just stared into your soul. There was barely a peep out of her and she nursed right away. She was born just before two am, so everything was quiet and peaceful and I was left in my dimly lit world to love on my brand new baby girl.
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Eleven years later, I still remember the peace that I felt just after she was born. I have always thought that if I had one wish for heaven, it would be the ability to relive the birth of my children (and every second after). Having the ability to re-experience those moments, when the most amazing love-at-first-sight magically takes place, I'd know I was in heaven for sure. Happy Birthday sweet Sage! I love you (and all your brothers and sisters) to the moon and stars and back!
