Happy 1st Birthday to Pumpkie!

One year ago, today, I was scheduled for a C-section. My daughter was breech, with the cord wrapped around her neck. I was 36 weeks, 6 days pregnant, and I had been contracting for weeks. Although my previous two children were born vaginally, this was a whole new experience, and I was kind of scared.

The night before, I had a fabulous "last" meal with my sisters. We dined on Mexican food, courtesy of Lalo's in Moorpark. During the meal, I was contracting pretty hard, but that was becoming a normal thing for me. We finished and decided to go to Target to pick up some baby things. Both my sisters were having a grand time finding the cutest baby items to buy for their newest niece. I was miserable, walking through the isles, having the hardest contractions I felt, thus far. I finally called it a night around 9pm and headed home.

The next morning, I got up and got ready. I thought, "Hey, this scheduled C-section thing isn't such a bad thing. I can look fabulous when the pictures are taken! No sweating and laboring. I just go in and they pull her out. Presto!"

We arrived at the hospital right on time, at 6am. As soon as we checked in they said, "You'll be delivering your twins today?" Billy and I looked at each other and said, "Wait! What? Twins? I thought there was only one baby in here!" We went up and they got me hooked up. Then the nurse comes in and says the same thing, in her cheery voice. "So, we'll be delivering twins today, right?" I'm not sure I've ever seen blood drain from a man's face so fast in my life!

That, of course, was some clerical error. I'm not sure how it all began, because I didn't care. I was contracting pretty hard by that time and I knew I only had one baby in me, even though they kept coming up with this twins stuff.

By now, everyone who was supposed to be there, was there. My sister came in from Vegas the night before, and she arrived with my other sister. My two other daughters were there, and we were all waiting on my doctor to arrive. Once he came in, there seemed to be some confusion amongst the staff. I'm pretty sure it had to do with a C-section being performed on a 36 week-er. The staff shuffled out of the room and then the telephone rang. It was my doctor.

He told me that they were going to send me home, because he thought my water would break by now and was worried about the cord coming through the canal, causing the baby's oxygen supply to cut off since the cord was around her neck. However, my water didn't break and he felt one more week would allow the baby to develop better. Are you freakin' kidding me??

I hung up the phone and sat there in disbelief. I had to tell everyone we were going home and that my sister, who traveled pretty far, left her family and responsibilities, did it for nothing. Not only that, but she had to make the trip out again next weekend. She was going to kill me. Naturally, I did the only thing I could think of at that moment.....

When the doctor came in to announce my departure, I kindly said, "Dr. Van Geem, would you mind checking me, just as a precaution, before you send me home? I've been contracting all night and they are pretty strong." He sent everyone out of the room while he did his check.

Sure enough, I was dilated to 4cm and in active labor. Guess we'll be occupying a room instead of checking out of Club Med!

After they drugged me up and layed me out, Jesus style on that table, I started crying. I was scared shitless. Probably due to the fact that I was unable to feel, move or do anything, and that is quite the vulnerable state to be in. Billy came in and grabbed my hand, told me a few things and I felt better. They asked me if I wanted to watch my child being born. I really didn't want to, but they have those mirrored lights above your head and I couldn't help seeing what was going on.

I watched in fascination as they cut me open. The water poured out, and I could see her legs. The doc pulled her out and I heard her cry for the first time. It was such a miracle, of the modern kind. I couldn't believe that we made this beautiful little girl (let's not lie here, I did all the work). I continue to be amazed at her development over time.

Happy 1st Birthday to my little Pumpkie! Boy, this year has gone by very fast. You are taking your first steps, have nine teeth, you say "mama, dada, yaya, baba, whatssat", you wave hello and goodbye, clap your hands, dance every time you hear music, you love being outside and would live outside if I let you, and you are very expressive with whatever you are babbling. We love you, and are so very proud of you!