Gratitude

I've thought a lot recently about how hard it would be doing the parenting thing alone. My heart truly goes out to the single mamas and I don't know why anyone would choose to do it alone. I'm extremely grateful to my mom and my sister Jennifer for their support in getting Aaron here.

Mom helped me get labor started. We thought I was going to start labor on Sat as I had contractions off and on all day, but no can do. Mon when I went to my Dr checkup he stripped my membranes and said if it was going to work that labor would start in a couple of hours. It didn't really seem to do anything, but we decided to try and get it over with. I did a cycle of soaking in the bath and walking. We had about decided nothing was going to happen when bam the contractions hit and hit hard at 11:40 pm. It was a pretty excruciating labor as it was all in my back being posterior. It was almost 1/2 as long as Miriam's, but seemed twice as long some how. Mom stuck with me while Eric was sleeping till we decided to head to the hospital at 1:30 AM. I am grateful beyond anything I can say for the tender loving care both Eric and my mom gave me through all those hours. I would have been highly tramatized without them. I was also very grateful to know Miriam was in good hands with Jennifer and mom (once Aaron came that is). I had worried what to do with her most of the pregnancy because by accident I hardly asked anyone else but mom to babysit her making it harder for her to be without me. Jennifer had stayed with us for a month by then and knew the routines and Miriam was very comfortable with her. Besides Jennifer didn't have any other responsibilities for me to feel like I was inconveniencing her. They brought her down to the hospital 3 times for us to see her and her to see Aaron. Thanks again Mom and Jennifer!

Then when we got home they again sparred me the trauma of learning right away how to take care of 2 children by myself. We had been up early to check out of the hospital and I don't think I could have handled Miriam on my own. Fri Miriam was really cranky and if it had just been me she probably would have spent a lot of time in her bed screaming her head off. Also the next week Miriam had some sort of stomach bug and once again I was immeasurably thankful for extra help as she turned very needy. I'm also thankful that Aaron has been very mellow and sleeps a lot- its sooo nice! Miriam says thanks for playing with me and taking care of me!!!