Happy Birthday Leah!!

Leah is a year old today!
This year flew bye so fast. I can remember last year like it was yesterday! I was going in for weekly non stress tests and diabetic check ups. I went in on a regular check up all looked great, fluid was right on, heart beat perfect and the most beautiful face ever! Then the general questions of how I was feeling and such. Then the nurse asked me how my insulin levels were doing and I didn't think anything of it but told her "well I haven't had to take any insulin and I had a cookie and my blood sugar was around 80" The nurse looked extremely concerned and said that is not normal you don't go from needed 100+units of insulin to nothing and being able to eat a cookie! So she got my doctor who said go get a milkshake drink it then check your blood sugar level 2 hrs later! I did exactly what he said and called and told them it was in the 80's. He said we were to come in the next day and be prepared for Leahs birth happening tomorrow! I told Justin and of course we were nervous but also knew we made it a lot longer then 25 weeks and we knew of the possibility of some NICU time. We went in checked blood sugar levels and then did a NST then the doctor came in and said we had to deliver! So Justin wheeled me down to birthing area they started hooking me up, everyone was taking guesses of weight and no lie I guessed 5 lbs 5ozs Justin guessed 6lbs and everyone else was in between except for some crazy resident that thought she would be about 7lbs?! They said the birth(c-section) would take place approx. 2pm we called everyone and did some texting we had lots of prayers going on for a safe and healthy baby. Justin was extremely nervous I was a bit nervous but I was also at peace knowing that this time the whole time I was pregnant with Leah I never had control but its God that I put in control. I knew this pregnancy would be o.k! It was 3pm when the doctor came in and said its time, o.k now I was nervous just because c-sections and the last time with the boys was so fast and scary! This time was so different. I was wheeled in met the doc that would give me a spinal and he was a cool as heck never felt a thing!So after the spinal Justin came in. There was the doctor and his assistant, a resident, a nurse and the anesthesiologist. Justin held my hand until they gave him the all clear to start video taping. Then he video taped them cutting me! This is kinda how it went down:

Justin with the video camera no less: Laura this is so cool, I have never seen someones guts just laying on them!

Me: Justin please, I am a little nauseated

Justin: But Laura this is so cool, OH MY GOSH THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THERE!!!!

Me: Justin SERIOUSLY!

The doctors: Justin why don't you sit down next to your wife for a little bit!

Justin o.k but can I keep the camera so we can watch this later?!

docs: thats fine just sit down!

Me: Thank You

Then all of a sudden there was this ear piercing cry, Justin jumped up, I was crying and laughing what beautiful music!Out came little miss Leah! She had the cord around her neck twice! They let me hold her all gooey and everything cord still attached. Then they took her, cleaned her up, weighed her 5 lbs 4.7ozs!They told us she was perfect and didn't need any intervention, she was sucking away at the nurses fingers and breathing perfectly! All I kept hearing was Justin asking them are you sure she doesn't need any oxygen or anything are you sure and even though they kept reassuring him he still was very nervous. At one point he said should I come get you if she looks like she may need more oxygen and they said she won't she is perfectly normal! I watch the video often so thats how I know all this part! The pediatrician looked her over and then they gave her to me, my beautiful, perfect, healthy baby girl! I only held her a minute because I was so nauseated and when they handed her to Justin he looked like a brand new dad! He was so scared of breaking her even though two years prior we had a 1 lb 12 oz baby and a 1 lb 15 oz baby! SO after I recovered I was sent to my own private room where I got to hold my baby and bond, she latched on the very first time I tried. I was crying so hard that my tears where going into her face! I never wanted to let go of the feeling the bonding that I felt at that very moment. I praised God, I laughed out loud, I sang "What a Mighty God We Serve" I was so happy no. really. I was happy! I didn't sleep a but maybe a couple hours I just wanted to hold her they kept me there a day longer because the lactation consultant and my doctor just found it hard to believe she lost her weight but by the second day was already gaining it back! We went home on a Saturday and I put her in the bassinet and just stared and thanked God for the billionth time!


Oh Leah where do I start. Our first few months together weren’t easy. You and I had long stretches of alone time every night doing what I began to refer as the midnight march. Starting at around 6 p.m., you were only happy either nursing or nestled against my chest as I walked and walked until the new day had begun - usually some time after midnight.There's one tough night that stands out from those foggy, sleep-deprived days. I just bursted into tears. And so did you. It was just the two of us crying so completely in the darkness, neither one of us knowing what was really wrong.Oh, but it was so worth it. You are so worth it. I remember thinking I’d do anything to have those long nights end. But now that they're just a piece of our past together, crazy, maternal me sometimes misses those marches and bouncing you and whispering to your sweet, helpless self.


Leah, in just one very, very quick year you have given me more than I could ever imagine. Your smiles are endless. Your giggles are constant. That fussy newborn has been replaced with a very happy baby. You’re crawling and cruising along furniture while standing, but I don’t think you’re going to be walking too soon. You love it when I crawl on the floor with you. You’ll start giggling and will speed up as if we were playing a game of chase.I love hearing your giggles or seeing you grin and wave your hand to everyone you meet. Every day with you is a gift.

I love you so much, Leah. I can’t wait to see your personality continue to emerge and to watch you grow and change.
Happy first birthday, sweet baby girl!


Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy