OHANA: June 2012

Tonight when JJ curled up with me to say goodnight, we chatted for a bit about her very quickly approaching birthday. The big 06. Whoa. Better start looking into retirement homes. Fortunately, 6 years is enough time to forget the "adventure" of her birth and it was fun telling her all about it. I think her favorite part was when I threw up on Sarah. My favorite part was the epidural. I think Matthew's favorite part was the conception. Oddly enough, this is exactly the time 6 years ago that labour started. True, she wasn't born for 2 more days ... 40 hours of labour. This is often my argument when I want some affection from her. "40 hours of labour ... that's why you're going to come over here and let your mama kiss you." So, 6 years ago we were sitting at Swiss Chalet when the adventure that is JJ began ... Feels like a lifetime ago. So ... I would like to invite you to share the story of the first time you met JJ or heard of her birth and what you thought ... or maybe just an early memory. For some of you, it will be day 1 ... for some it will be recently. I want to read them to her for her birthday. The other night I came into her room late at night as the tears came down her cheeks and she told me she didn't know what was special about her. I'd like to show her.

JJ, the first time I met you, you were flopped on my belly. I looked at my midwife and asked, "is she mine?" Misty laughed and said, "yes" ... considering you were still attached to me. It was hard to believe even though you were the spitting image of your daddy. I can still remember that feeling of you resting on me. I held you against me like I was holding onto a football during the Superbowl. I was definitely a new mommy. You were strong and beautiful and you had a head shaped like a cone. You looked so much like daddy we thought we should keep you. :)