My sweet Ella turned one this past Sunday. I remember back to a year ago when I was in labor. I had done this two times before, so I knew what labor was. I absolutely KNEW I was in labor. My husband and I walked out of the Di Vinci Code, called my parents who were watching the kids for us while we were out on our date, and told them we were headed to the hospital. When I got to the hospital, the cursed nurse hooked my up to the monitors and told me that no…I wasn’t in labor. I wasn’t even having contractions. Excuse me?? I could hardly walk, could hardly talk and I knew I was in labor. She wasn’t convinced because the monitor wasn’t showing anything. She said I could get up and walk the halls some, but if I wasn’t having contractions by midnight she was sending me home. I was so peeved and while my husband and I were walking the halls, we timed the contractions at 3 minutes apart. I went back to my room right before midnight and the cursed nurse hooked me up again and said "Nope… you aren’t having contractions. I need to check a couple of things, but I’m going to go ahead and send you home." I was peeved to say the least. I knew I was in labor.
Thank God, at midnight there was a shift change and the blessed nurse arrived. She came to check on me and looked at the monitor the cursed nurse had hooked me up to and said "This isn’t hooked up right at all." Then she hooked me up to the monitor correctly only to discover that my contractions were 2 minutes apart. At that point she checked me and I was dilated to an 8, almost 9. She called my doctor and everything went into speed mode. Within an hour and just a few pushes, sweet baby Ella was in my arms.
What I’ve loved the most about this past year with Ella:
- When she was an infant, we would take a nap together on the couch everyday. She would snuggle up on my chest and we would drift off to dreamland together.
- She is almost always smiling. She has such a sweet disposition.
- I love how when she was an infant, her hair spiked up on the top and there was nothing we could do about it
- Since she is most likely going to be my last, I’ve really tried to savour the small things with her. I have babied her more than I should, but it is only because I want time to slow down.
- I love her "hugs" and big slobbery kisses. I love how she plays patty cake, does itsy bitsy spider and likes to "sing" along with us when we sing.
- Even though she did not sleep through the night until she was 11 months old, I really didn’t mind getting up with her. I enjoyed our quiet time in the middle of the night together.
- I love how, at one year old, she can hold her own with her brother and sister. She is a tough little cookie!
- I love how she is a total mama’s girl. My other two kids have always been stuck like glue to their daddy, but Ella is a mama’s girl through and through.
I could go on and on, but I won’t bore you all anymore than I already have!
Happy first birthday sweet Ella!
I can’t believe she’s one already! I love your list of things you’ve enjoyed this year. She is such a beautiful girl. We are truly blessed with some happy babies! Happy Birthday Ella!
She is so adorably cute, Kristen! And you could NEVER bore us with tidbits about her! Keep ’em coming. Happy birthday, Ella! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Ella! Such a fun day and I hope the years continue to be blessings to all of you!
Happy First Birthday, sweet Ella! 🙂
I got happy-teary-eyed reading this! This is so beautiful!
Btw, I agree with Karen Beth, I also can NEVER be bored–I love reading your posts!!! 🙂
Yeah bring on the cuteness, I say. She is adorable and I love reading about her! Happy belated birthday to your darling!
Happy Birthday Ella! When you’re 18, I’ll introduce you to my nephew Ephraim. He’s only 5 days older than you. 😀
Happy Birthday Ella! What a tough little girl and I love the cake picture!!! She is absolutely adorable!
Oh Kristen – what a wonderful and sweet tribute to a little one’s birthday.
Every time you share something like this, I am given a real-life glimpse into the beauty of motherhood that I don’t often get to see and it’s lovely.
Something maybe I can join someday. 🙂
Thank you for sharing and happy birthday to little Ella!
I look at Ella and try to figure out who she looks like…and end up realizing she looks like Ella, her own darling little self. Love her and think she finally realizes that.
Happy belated birthday Ella. Take good care of mom who loves you so much.
Oh, my! This is my first comment on your site (I’ve been lurking I’m afraid…) but I just adored this post! Having had my third child on May 21st of this year (we share the same birthday imagine that!) I absolutely love that you mentioned the cursed nurse and the blessed nurse, I have experienced them myself! And you also give me hope that I might this time have a mama’s girl as my other two children are and have always been glued to their Daddy! Thank you so much for this post, it was absolutely adorable as are your three children!
You are a tremendous Mom and a wonderful writer. I honestly feel like I don’t know you at all but can relate with you tremendously and am awe struck with your talent & cooking skills. Keep living the dream..oh yes…see you in a few weeks