HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE

1n 1984
I pushed and you I bore.
Today you're 25
With joy, I want to cry

Happy Birthday Nicole. My sweet second born. I hope your day is a wonderful as it can be. Here's your birth story:

Twenty five years ago today, I started my day disappointed that I hadn't gone into labor the night before. Bored, unable to drive (back then they didn't' let you drive when you got too far along) my neighbor took me out on some of her errands. While walking through K-Mart, I wasn't feeling great. I started getting really strong cramps. By the time we got back into the car I was timing my contractions. Having delivered my first child in just a four hour start to finish labor, we were very cautious about waiting too long before getting to the hospital. Once home I called your dad and told him I thought I was going into labor. He came home and we sat and looked at each other for a while. Nothing more was happening. So, your dad went back to the office.

I just stayed close to home, every now and then a mild cramp, but nothing. At this point I was getting pretty bored with the whole thing and envisioned yet one more day of not going into labor. You were already almost 2 weeks late, so I was ready to have you.

Late afternoon, around 4 or so, my mom called to see how I was doing, having spoke with them earlier in the day, they were on alert that I may be having you that day. I told her I was okay, no contractions, but that I was loosing bladder control. She just yelled at me "Stefanie! Your water has broken.. get to the hospital!"

Well, she was right. So, off we went, and the ride in your dads very bumpy work van confirmed my water had broken. Still no contractions. So, they hooked me up to all kinds of stuff, and we waited. Because my water broke, I could not do the new fancy bedroom type birthing rooms, so the environment they put me in was a regular delivery room. But they told me I could walk around if I wanted. So your dad and I went out into the waiting room to say hello to everyone who was there. I remember your yai yai, papoo and Aunt Chrise. I don't remember who else. But there were lots of people out there waiting for you. At some point I felt something and looked over at your dad told him we needed to get back. I passed the nurses station and told them, something was happening now. They of course figured I was crazy... 20 minutes later your dad was in the waiting room announcing "it's a girl!"

You were named Nicole after my Uncle Nick, who died before you were born, and your middle name, after your godmother.

And you've been a joy and a pain in my butt ever since.

Love,
MOM


big sister and you do Pilates


Love from your big sister.