What does it mean to have a baby? Where do I start. For 9 months you run around looking at things to buy for your new baby, especially if its your first one. You go to every baby store in town, then you drive to the neighboring towns looking for stuff you really don't need. Excitement about a new little one penetrates the air with anticipation. Wonder fills your very soul with the thought of a little baby sleeping in a crib next to your bed.
Ayanna's first picture after her first bath
After all of the preparation, parties, dates, and outings the big day finally arrives...
MY STORY...
Ayanna's ultrasound image
It was September, 2010. The Big day finally arrived. I got up out of bed to do my regular routine and then my wife calls out "TIM". I ran to the bedroom to see that her water broke. I thought to myself "Its only 8 months into the pregnancy". How can this be? I then ran around the room trying to figure out what I should do. My wife then called my name again and said "get some clothes packed for me". I then immediately worked on the bag. Kathlyn got dressed and walked to the car. I RAN to the car and gently helped her in. We drove (Sped) to the hospital. The hospital staff was wonderful. They got Kathlyn right in and then called the doctor. The baby began to crown a little so the nurses all said "Don't Push Yet". The Doctor finally showed up in shorts and tennis shoes (The Dr. was celebrating his wife's birthday at the time, on a Saturday).
Ayanna, first time in her car seat. See how tiny she is. Waa!
I'll never forget what the doctor told Kathlyn. He said "Ok Champ, you all ready?". He then got his scrubs on and the nurses all gathered around to assist. The doctor did all of his preparation and examined Kathlyn to see where exactly the baby was. The baby was still crowning some. No time for meds or epidural. This kid is coming and coming fast. The doc yelled "Push". She pushed a few times and the baby came right out. Labor lasted about 1 1/2 hours from the time when her water first broke. Out came Ayanna. She cried some and looked around. She was a quiet baby and so sweet.
Another pic of Ayanna after her fist bath.
The doctor handed me the tool to cut the umbilical cord. I cut it and then stepped back so they could finish up on Kathlyn and the baby. I was invited in with the nurse to watch the baby get her first bath. She then weighed Ayanna at a whopping 5 pounds. She was very tiny.
That night in the hospital was pretty intense. I thought to myself "I don't know how to change a diaper. I don't know how to milk a baby". I called the nurse in every 30 minutes. I then was able to milk the baby with a little formula. Later my wife breast fed her.
(image off of google imaging).
Two days later we left the hospital with baby in tow. I was so nervous. I really didn't want to leave those nurses behind. I thought about kidnapping them so they could help us with the baby. Ha. So began our new adventure of having our first baby.
Ayanna pictured with my Grandmother.
The adventure continues later with 2 more girls. God is good. Thanks for reading.
What a beautiful story :)
It's really amazing isn't it? Sometimes I pause and look at my 8 year old, (8 already????) and it's STILL amazing :-)
Yes it is amazing. Really a miracle. Thanks for the post and congrats on your 8 year old.
Congratulations! She's beautiful.
Thank you.
Oh my gosh congratulations!!! thats wonderful news!!
Thank you.
Ayanna is beautiful.. you parents are blessed to have such a lovely baby.. congratulations and loads of good luck to Ayanna.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words.
Congrats! That's great! :)
Thank you so much.
Happy days!!!!
Absolutely. Thank you for posting.
What a sweet story, @crowe. Your daughter is adorable in these photos. Thanks for sharing them. After years of trying to get pregnant, I realized babies and actually being pregnant are kind of intimidating to me, so the fact I can't carry a baby is actually somewhat of a relief, now. Maybe one day, with a surrogate and a full-time nanny until the kid is like four or five years old.
I just had my first overnight visit with the girl I'm looking to adopt last night, and it was a ton of fun. It was like having a slumber party. Of course, she's 17, which means we can have fun together right away (and, we did), and wants to be a chef, and was eager to cook an elaborate dinner and breakfast for us. I don't think anyone has ever cooked a meal for me in my own house, and it was nice. I took her to meet my mom, who was thrilled to see her at last, and even my dad, who has expressed zero interest in this up till now got kind of excited when he talked to my mom on the phone the next day and she said the girl likes to cook, because he likes to cook, too.
Even though she's a teenager, we're all getting excited about buying her the things she'll need and want, and fixing up her room. My mom is super excited about going on a shopping spree. She is going to hook this girl up. I've joked I should get an "adoption shower," but I think my mom is going to take care of everything. :)
What a beautiful story. This is so awesome. I am super excited for you and for the teen you are looking at adapting. Hey, you really need to copy and paste this story you just told me to an article on steemit. I bet you would get tons of support. Thanks again for the wonderful share. Take care.
I already have....well, the story of how we came to the idea of adoption and how we found this girl. The post paid out a couple of weeks ago, and did pretty well. It's still getting comments. :)
I've found that you can copy and paste your story again in a new post. I do it if viewership is low. Plus, sometimes I go way back and re post stories I did when I first began. When you copy the image on your post right click and copy image address. Then you can post it right on your new post. PLUS, you probably have a lot of new followers that would love to read your story.
That's a good idea. I never thought of it. I HAVE noticed a good number of new readers going through my back catalog on here. I suppose if I just re-posted them, I could get paid again on upvotes from new readers. Does that strategy work well for you?
It works VERY WELL. When you repost just put a little line at the bottom saying it is a repost for those who haven't read, or for low viewership. It will pay out, probably better then before. Good Luck. You may want to change the window picture though to a new picture on the post.
Awesome! Thanks for the advice, @crowe. I'll give it a try.
Congratulations my friend, very happy for you, a beautiful addition to the family. Cheers
oh~ You have a beautiful litter one
She so cute , I have a boy, he is in 13 month now!^^
I will see your stories more often.