One!

Today, my sweet little Charlie turned one. We celebrated with a birthday party for both her and Lydia with our extended family. Charlie is such a little trooper. She's always smiling and has a contagious giggle. She only ever really cries when she's tired, and then it's just a quick bottle and she goes to sleep like a champ. She eats whatever we put in front of her, but when she's done, she throws the rest on the floor. She doesn't talk much yet, but has finally started saying "Mama" in addition to Dada, Lydia, and dog. She waves, and she sucks her thumb when she's tired. She loves to wriggle away from you when you change her diaper. She follows her sisters around the house and laughs at them and screams when they get rowdy.

Charlie made quite an entrance into the world. Both her sisters were induced after their due dates. I was sure Charlie would also be late. I went to a Brewers game for my sister-in-law's bachelor party the Saturday before the Thursday I was due. When coworkers would say, "Maybe you won't be here tomorrow!" I would say, "Don't worry, I'll be in."

On my due date, Lydia had a rehearsal for her dance recital. I took her to the rehearsal and then we got home and went to bed. I woke up at about 1:00 am with very light contractions, and as they became more frequent, I figured I would be having her the next day, and tried to sleep some more. They got to be about 10 minutes apart, but didn't increase in intensity. I called the doctor on call for my OB/GYN office and she told me to call the delivery room to see if they wanted me to come in. I explained that my contractions were consistently 10 minutes apart, but not very strong. They said to come in, but sounded like it wasn't a big deal. We called Jayson's mom to come over to watch the girls and while we waited for her, I took a shower and got some things together.

As I walked around more, the contractions became stronger and more frequently. Suddenly, I was sitting down in pain and gasping as they came. I told Jayson I was going to wait in the car, and when his mom drove up, I forced a smile and waved. Jayson rushed to the hospital as I gripped the arm rest. Luckily, the hospital was only ten minutes away. When we arrived, the triage nurse checked me immediately and said we were ready to go. She told me usually moms walk from triage to the room, but she was just going to wheel me. When we got into the room, I asked with hope if I could still get an epidural and the nurse looked at me like I was a little kid who just discovered the truth about Santa Claus and said, "No, not enough time!"

So, we started. I couldn't even breath. I had not planned for this. I was used to slow labors without much pain. When I had Lydia, the nurse told me to push the button when I needed more pain meds, and I pushed happily away. She told me that I should still be able to feel the contractions and I smiled and said I could even though I couldn't. As contractions came, the nurse would excitedly look at me and say, "Do you feel this one coming?" and I would smile and nod and pretend I felt it, and push when it seemed like I should be pushing. Not with Charlie. Oh man, did I feel it. I think all of West Allis knew I felt it. Luckily, it took all of 20 minutes, if that, and she was out.

All 9 lbs, 12.5 ounces of her. With a fractured collarbone because she was so big and came so quickly. Charlie will always be my reminder of what I can do. This past year, when I've been afraid of something, I tell myself, "I gave birth to an (almost) ten pound baby without drugs. I can do this." And now look what I have! Such an amazing, sweet, little girl. As I look at her older sisters -- Lydia with her curly blonde hair, blue eyes, wild imagination, and zest for life; Audrey with her wavy brown hair, green eyes, serious attitude, and quick temper; and I wonder what life will bring for Charlie. I can't wait to find out.