Eleven Years Ago

Eleven years ago, I was the mom to a 5yo, a 3yo, and a 1yo. And happily pregnant with my beautiful daughter Jane. I remember taking the three kids to Boston and people asking me 'when are you due', only to take a careful step back when I said 'next week!' I remember having to find someone to jumpstart my van in the parking garage because one of the kids must have left on the lights. I remember being pulled over by the police when I went the wrong direction in one-way street because of being so frazzled trying to drive, navigate, and telling the kids to stop bothering each other, all at the same time.

Then one day, when I was back home, I had this 'hmmmm, maybe today?' feeling. I desperately ran around all day, trying to finish all those things I had not finished before (going to Boston was more fun after all), and when night rolled along it was pretty clear that the birth was imminent.



I called my midwife and told her that labor had started, but it was going to be a while. We tried to inflate the kiddie pool which was where I wanted to give birth, and found out it was a lot more work than we thought it would be. We dropped off the boys at a friend's house and hoped Tara would sleep through the commotion.

Finally the pool was set up and filled. I got in, relaxed (as much as one can in labor, that is) and it didn't take long before Jane came out in a very gentle way. About 20 minutes later, the midwives arrived. Yet another birth where they missed the baby, but at least she was in time to catch the placenta ^^

Tara woke up about an hour after her sister was born, so that was perfect timing to meet the baby, but miss the birth. She was only 13mo, and a big sister already!



Jane is eleven now, a great artist and story teller, and very athletic. Every day, she spends hours and hours drawing. She is quite a talented girl. She spends a lot of time together with Dawn, they are very close. Happy birthday, my beloved daughter!