Five years ago today

I was hanging out at home wondering what was going on. My back was hurting, had been since church early that morning. Every now and then I would feel a pinch in my back and then my stomach would tighten. It didn't really hurt, but it was definitely uncomfortable. JD casually mentioned, "Maybe you're in labor." Nah, I thought. Everyone says you'll know when you're in labor, and I certainly didn't know. I went about my business--ironing my clothes, planning dinner, etc., but as the day progressed, the pinches became more painful and the tightening felt more like cramping. Things also got a little more consistent. So much so that JD set up a spreadsheet to time the cramping. When the cramping, well let's call them contractions at this point, was 5 minutes apart, we were pretty sure I was in labor. We had just sat down to dinner and I was pretty uncomfortable, but I was afraid to call my doctor because he had stressed to only call him if my contractions were 3 minutes apart for an hour or more. So, I did what any normal girl would do, I called a friend who had just delivered her first baby a week before. She wisely advised me to call the doctor because I could hardly make it through the conversation.

Fast forward 3 hours later, and I was in the hospital begging for an epidural. Eight hours later, on February 21, 2005 at 6:45 am, Madelyn entered the world. Wow! FIVE years ago! I don't know why 5 feels like such a milestone, but it does. I'm not too emotional, but if I think I about it enough, I get a little misty eyed. Thankfully, she won't start Kindergarten for another 6 months or so.

She's such a spunky little thing, and she's so excited about tomorrow. However, because our Sundays are so jammed packed with activities and church, most of our celebrating will happen next week. She will have some cake and open gifts tomorrow, but she'll have a party here on Tues. with a few friends from school. I'll take some cupcakes to school on Wed. Then, we'll have a few friends over next Saturday as a combined party for Pierce and Madelyn.

Let the birthday season begin! Happy birthday to my beautiful five year old girl!