Happy Birthday to my Be-Be.

Tripp arrived on June 5th, 2005 at about 6 a.m. in the morning.
It was magical.

In the end, all things worked out. Dave was there. He did all the wonderful, supportive stuff he does every time we have a new baby. He held my hand. He kissed my forehead. He told me he loved me.

In the operating room, I told Dr. Terry a big "I told ya so." He asked me if I picked up those new Oreo's at Wal-Mart the night before. I musta just missed them.

Tripp had the cord wrapped around his neck either three or four times. Dr. Terry announced it in his doctor jib jab, and unfortunately I understood his medical terminology. I had a moment of panic, then the baby cried, I cried, and the world was OK.

I thought I would be smart and so I requested NO MORPHINE because I got fever blisters when I had Emma (and was told that it was from the morphine). Boy, was I stupid. Who has a C-Section with no morphine? This request only lasted just an hour or so. By time I got back to my regular room (which combined with recovery time) I was M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E. And then, the nurse laid the drugs to me. Wheee!

I looked at my sweet little boy, the baby who looked like a baby version of my sweet Dave, and I was IN LOVE. Some mothers talk about falling in love with their children over a period of time. Some fall instantly. Well, I fell hard - right then.

As with all my kids, I held that connection when he was born.

Over the last four years, I have completely enjoyed being Tripper-Do's mother. He is wonderful. He makes me laugh. I enjoy his temperament. I love him just because he looks like his daddy. They have the same personalities, the same mannerisms, the same smirks. Every one of these four years have been wonderful.

I love you so much, Tripp. You will always be my be-be.

The Night Before Tripp Was Born. Part 2 of THE SAGA

June 4, 2005

In the early afternoon, the contractions started again. I knew that this time, I was having a baby. So I started getting ready. I vacuumed out the van. I ironed all of Emma's clothes for the week. About six that night, I took Emma and Eli and we went and got groceries at Wal-Mart.

While I was there, I ran into Dr. Terry.

I told him that I would see him in a few hours. He just laughed.

My contractions became much worse over time. I knew that Dave would be home about midnight, and I did not know if I would make it that long. I put the kids to bed about nine. Then I showered, put the finishing touches on my bag, and got comfy in my mu-mu. And I waited.

Around 11 p.m., Dave called. He was going to be home soon! When he drug himself in a few minutes later, I could tell how tired he was. So, I did not say anything yet. But I knew it wouldn't be long.

He walks by me in the laundry room, rubs the baby and says,"Boy, your belly is tight." So I say, "That's because I am in labor."

I would like to say that he ignored me, but that may be a little inaccurate. Maybe he was just hoping it wasn't true.

So then he says, "Are ya hungry?" So I cook him a cheap pizza. And he ate it. And I think I was baking cookies, too. And he ate those, too.

After some time, he turns to me and says, "You ready to go to bed?"
And then I say, "Buddy, your not gettin' it. I am in labor."
And he says, "Don't you think your are over-exaggerating?"

And I killed him. Well, not really. But I could have.
So, he gets his paper. And he starts to time my contractions.
And then he says, "well, they are 5 minutes apart." Surprise!
And then he says, "You ready to go to bed?"
And then I say, "I am calling your mother. I am having his baby tonight. You can go to bed and call me in the morning. I am going to the hospital."

We called my sweet mother in law. She came over and looked like, well, like she had just been woke up at 3 a.m. A little shocked, but a lot excited, too.

And off to the hospital we went.

Dave carried in his laptop so he could catch up on some paperwork. And, he took the papers from the previous week, so he could catch up on the latest going-ons of the town.
Imagine his surprise - about 5 a.m. - when Nurse Amanda says, "well, you are having a baby.
In about an hour."

****disclaimer****

This story is told to the best of my recollection... I was in labor. It hurt a lot. Like, really bad.

Four years ago today.

Four years ago today, I was 36 weeks pregnant.

Four years ago today, I had a 20 month old daughter. And a nine year old son.

Four years ago today, I woke up in a hotel room in Nashville, TN after visiting my husband. He had been gone for about a week. He was heading up the building of the Cheesecake Factory in Nashville.

Four years ago today, I wore denim overalls from Motherhood and a white tshirt. And flip flops.

Four years ago today, I had plans to go buy baby stuff at Babies R Us... then, go home with the two kids and finish getting my baby stuff ready. Little did I know that when I woke up and went to shower that morning, my mucus plug would dribble, or drop out, or whatever it does. It stopped the shopping plans.

Four years ago today, I ate lunch at a hamburger joint in Green Hills at the mall, and I saw on TV that the guy who was "Deep Throat" in Watergate died. I found much enjoyment of running around all day saying "Deep Throat." In my "deep throat" voice. With my 50 inch belly jiggling.

Four years ago today, my mother spent the night with me. It was one of the best times in my life. It was the first time in many years that she was "my momma." I had no idea that it would never happen again.

Four years ago today, I spent the afternoon doing laundry, and getting stuff ready because I started having contractions. Really bad contractions. I realized when I saw Dave the day before that he was so tired. so. so. tired. So I didn't tell him. And when I drove myself to the hospital that night, all by myself, at about 10 p.m., I had devised my plan of how to call Dave - just at the right moment - because I knew that I would have a one and one half hour time slot for him to leave Nashville and make it to the hospital justintime to see the baby arrive.

Four years ago tonight, Dr. Terry stopped my labor. I was PISSED. But, he said if I went into labor again, he would let me deliver. So I spent the night in the hospital and never called my husband to tell him where I was. Why give him extra worry? Well, that backfired on me, four years ago tomorrow. He was PISSED.

Four years ago today, I would have never dreamed that I would be getting ready to celebrate my last babies' birthday, in just two days. And that my daughter would be 5 1/2 and my firstborn son would be 13, so quickly. And that I would be loving my kids so much.