It’s a good start to my Friday before a 3 day weekend! Sitting here in my desk with my grande iced mocha (We visited the Connection Church in Kyle on Sunday and they sent us a $5 gift card to Starbucks!) and thankful that the week is over, has ended successfully, and my mind wanders to my little girl’s First Birthday.

Her FIRST Birthday. It’s been ONE YEAR. It was exactly one year ago today that I would check into the hospital in the evening to be prepped for induction….I remember everything. Chris had to work that day. I made sure all our stuff was packed (thank goodness I overpacked because we were there EXTRA WEEKS!), took Brodie to Fish’s house to play with his friends, and TRIED to relax. We ate dinner at the Chili’s off Lamar (gross, I don’t like Chili’s, why did we eat there?) and then headed to the hospital at 6:00 pm. Walking into the doors, I was waddling pretty bad b/c I was so large by this point….trying to look calm & under control (my normal Summer look when really I’m not so good on the inside), and the WEIRDEST male nurse jumped on the elevator with us and informed us that he would be working in the labor/delivery part of the hospital that evening and would try to be my nurse. I about had a panic attack. This was not only a male nurse (no offense guys, but I don’t want male nurses looking at certain parts of my body), but a FREAKO. I quickly informed Chris he better make sure that this guy is NOT my nurse and Chris is to NEVER EVER leave my sight, in case the guy returns. Thankfully, I had a nice little gal instead. I was given all my wires and needles and monitor on my belly with my beautiful new outfit (aka hospital gown). We tried to do some small talk, but all I really wanted to do was enjoying our last moments before being parents (and labor!) and then sleep. The nurses gave me an Ambion so that I could really rest, and I did. Until 5:30 am the next morning when they are knocking on my door, saying, ‘ok summer! it’s time, let’s induce you.’ I was so nervous, but really excited. It was happening. I honestly hadn’t ever imagined that day before, at one point in my life, I wasn’t so sold on having kids. Long story short, with lots of patosin (sp?) in my system, by 11:00 and dialated to a 5 cm, I asked for my drugs. I was having contractions every minute that were pretty rough, and I literally saw NO REASON to continue in this pain. The rest of the afternoon was a BREEZE. We watched TV, I napped, and by 4:00 pm, I was beginning to push! It was so exciting and such a great delivery. I had the BEST nurses that talked with me, we laughed and made jokes. Chris and the nurse had to hold my legs up to push, pushed for 10 seconds, and then talked in between contractions. We pushed for about an hour and a half, but really didn’t seem that long. Right when she started to crown, Dr. Oliver has me if I wanted a mirror. I looked at her like she was crazy. No thanks. Chris can watch, I don’t want to be grossed out or distracted. Let’s move on! When Tatum came, they placed her on my stomach, and I was like, our baby has DARK HAIR? Is this my kid? I was so happy and can hardly type right now thinking about it. The rest of the story I’ll leave for another time because I realize I’m writing too much, all probably more so for my satisfaction of loving my memories.

So, last night, as Chris and I prayed before going to sleep, I prayed for our sweet Tatum and the wonderful year that we’ve had. We both were very silent afterwards, and then when Chris felt wet, hot tears on his shoulder, he asked ‘are you crying?’ We both just wanted to go and pick up our little girl and hold her! What a great year.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl.

Categories: Thoughts