One year ago...



My big ol' belly.

 One year ago, I was miserable. I was humongously large, hot, tired, and ready to give birth to my second baby. It was a Saturday, and I was doing all I could to keep my mind off of the fact that I had been having contractions for 3 weeks and dilated to 3 cm, but baby just refused to let go. I wasn't overdue... In fact, this was her actual due date, but considering my first came 3 weeks early, I was sort of expecting another early arrival.

After shopping all day at various places, including World Market, where I picked up some Marsala sauce for dinner, we finally decided to go to the evening service at church. I was determined to pray and worship this baby out of me!

I ran into a bazillion people who casually commented, "No baby, yet, huh?"  Uh, no. Dang it.

It was just another worship service, saving the fact that the only thing on my mind was managing to get this baby out of me. I figured if I could go into labor during worship, that was the perfect scenario. But, alas, church service ended, and I was still without even a hint of baby's arrival.

We headed home, where I proceeded to cook up a big ol' batch of Marsala, which is a spicy Indian dish... Uh, huh... You see what's about to happen, right?



I love this shot - says so much.

 Marsala consumed, Jeffrey in bed, and Scott on the opposite chair teaching his online classes, I was sprawled out on the couch, constantly changing positions due to terrible sciatica, forcing myself to stay awake because I just so wanted this baby to come. After flipping through channels, and finally landing on some show that I don't even remember, I decided that once this show was over, I was going to bed.

It was about 10:40, and I was sitting through another commercial break arguing with myself about going to bed when I felt this sudden **pop** and a rush of fluid....



This is one of my favorite pictures. Jeffrey's little personality just shines!



I knew exactly what had happened, so I jumped up (as much as a 9 month pregnant woman can) and waddled off to the bathroom. I yelled to Scott, "Um... Honey! I think my water just broke!" 

There was a long pause... followed by, "Are you sure?"

Seriously? Men sometimes say the dumbest things. As if I wouldn't know this. As if my sitting in a massive puddle isn't the first clue.

I responded, "Yes, I'm sure."

Scott already had my bag in the car, the car started, and his coat on by the time I walked out of the bathroom, and was practically hyperventilating, apparently very excited about having a baby soon. Why I was so calm, I don't know, but rest assured, I was excited too.

True to Matkovich form, some hilarious things happened both on the way to the birthing center and during labor.  Most of which may be way TMI. Here are some punchlines. (If you want to know the whole joke, just ask.)

1.  "Just say, 'Vindaloo!'
2.  "My boat doesn't lie."
3.  Me:  Giggling...
     Nurse (from behind door): "What's so funny?"
     Me:  More giggling... pause... "VINDALOO!"
4.  "Ever had a broken face?"
5.  "Where's your boat?"
     "It's speeding for shore!"
6.  "Um... I need to push."
7.  "Don't push!"
8.  Doc running in... "Ok, PUSH!"
9.  Scott on phone with Mamasan, "Is that Kyra crying?"

It was 3 hours and 18 minutes (just 1 hour and 18 minutes past her due date), from the moment my water broke to the moment I was holding a precious little gift in my arms. The picture-perfect birth. Hardly any pain. Just a tiny bit of discomfort for the last 45 minutes. An amazing experience. (You can read more about it under The Arrival of a Wigglebean.)

A perfectly healthy 9 pound, 3 ounce baby girl:  Eden Noelle...

A day and a half later, we were home with our new darling baby, and introduced her to her big brother. He fell in love the instant he saw her, and he's been her biggest fan ever since.

Our little Eden is one year old today. She's beautiful, curious, cautious and snuggly. The first year of her life has been a whirlwind of change, but she weathered through it all like a champ.

To my dearest Eden on her first birthday:

I'm so proud of you, baby girl. May God shine His light on you, show you favor, and bless you beyond words. May your life be a reflection of His goodness and grace. Happy birthday, Wigglebean!
All my love,
Mommy