In the days leading up to your birth I was of course very anxious to meet you. I was hoping for a girl. At our ultrasound I had told the doctor I wanted to know your gender, but that Daddy didn't. She whispered to me that it seemed more like you were a girl, but she wasn't sure. So I decided not to get my hopes up, and just assume you were a boy.
The days before your birth I tried to stay very active, as active as one so big could be that is. . .
Friday- Daniel and I went with your Daddy to work. While he worked, we walked around a park, by the river. Friday evening I received word from my friend Gunta that her baby was the way. Early Saturday morning their son Reinis was born and the midwife (our midwife) came to stay at our house for a few hours of sleep.
Saturday we went to a garden show/sale. On the way there while listening to the radio a song came on that I really like, "My Idea of Heaven". I just started crying when I heard it, it is so sweet and romantic. Could this have been a sign you were to be a girl? I very rarely cry when listening to music and this day I was a basket case. . . Perhaps a sign of your soon to be birth :) In the middle of the night I started having a few contractions.
My Idea of Heaven
My Idea of Heaven Lyrics by Leigh Nash
I never thought I'd get here; I was so far away
I didn't believe in love, thought it was just a game
People played
Everything changed when I met you
I touched your hand, you took my heart
And you led me to a better place, just the two of us
In the dark...
This is my idea of heaven, lying here with you
This is my idea of heaven, nothing else, I'd rather do
I never thought you'd get here, why'd you make me wait?
And when I looked into your eyes, I recognised your words
My faith
I've been living in a lonely shell, with no windows, to the world
How in God's name did you find, a lonestar
Loneliest girl...
This is my idea of heaven, lying here with you
This is my idea of heaven, nothing else, I'd rather do
To feel your heart, beating
To feel our limits, meeting
This is my idea of heaven, ooh
In heaven, love is everywhere
There is no pain, there are no tears
In heaven, love lasts forever, it doesn't, disappear...
This is my idea of heaven, lying here with you
This is my idea of heaven, nothing else, I'd rather do
To feel your heart, beating
To feel our limits, meeting
This is my idea of heaven, ooh
This is my idea of heaven, lying here with you
. Sunday- Your Daddy thought we should send Daniel to his godparents since it appeared you were on your way. But I wasn't having regular contractions and didn't want Daniel to be gone the whole day. Since after a while it appeared nothing much was happening we let him stay home for the day. I went on a walk by the river, hoping to get things moving along again. Towards evening my contractions started to be a bit more frequent and it was agreed that Daniel would spend the night at his godparent's and that our midwife would come later.
When Daniel was picked up and your Daddy and I were left alone, he decided to help me try and relax. He game me a back massage and turned on some relaxing music. He had chosen music ahead of time to help me relax. Rudite, our midwife arrived about 23:00. We had tea and chatted, she observed my response to the three contractions I had during our tea and informed me they were good contractions :) I was glad to know things were going somewhere, as I had doubted whether things were really happening for real. You would have thought I would have known since you are the second baby :) Rudite went to bed and I decided to try to get some rest as well.
I was able to sleep for about an hour when I was awakened by a very strong contraction which brought me quickly out of bed. I find contractions unbearable when lying down. From this time on I was on the move.I sat on the birth ball. Daddy supported me and we swayed together for some contractions. Other times I just leaned against the wall, and so forth. Throughout the night things continued to progress. When I got hungry you Daddy made me my requested food, which was toast with butter :)
Towards morning I decided to try a bath for relaxing. But I had such a strong contraction in the bath that I became very discouraged and started crying. I asked Daddy to wake up the midwife and have her come give me some encouragement.
She came, and informed me that I was 7 cm dilated. Almost all the way open, but that you still needed to come down. She estimated you would be born by noon, in just a few hours. I continued my pacing. In between contractions I even played a song on the piano and sang. It seems I had more breaks when nothing was happening during this labor. I don't remember that happening with Daniel.
The midwife suggested I lay down and rest. I didn't like lying down. But I gave in, and when I laid down and she had gone downstairs my water broke. It wasn't just a nice little break, but it seemed like an explosion and I screamed in shock and pain from the contraction. From this moment on things really started happening and within an hour of pushing you were out!
I ended up having you laying down on my left side. This wasn't how I had imagined things would be, I didn't like lying down. But this ended up being the pose that made things happen. I was just glad when everything was over and you were out.
There you were, my blueish little lady. Your Daddy quickly said, "It is Amelija. Your dream come true." How precious! You were laid on my tummy, crying in protest. Being born is hard work I know. I couldn't believe how big and chubby you were. You weighed over 9 pounds, 4350 grams!! Wow!! You seemed to me like a little cherub, so cute and chubby.
In the four weeks we have known you we have already fallen in love with you. I love your happy moments, and the sweet sounds you make. You have a lot of crabby moments now, where no pose is good and nothing satisfies you. At moments like these I feel very exasperated and don't know what to do. Thank God he gives us patience. I have found also that if put in the baby carrier you will soon fall asleep, after a bit of protesting.
We look forward to the days and months ahead, of seeing you grow and develop. We love you our little sunshine.
Oh, that's so sweet! I can't wait for the day I get to hold your cute little Amelija and spoil her and her big brother, who is growing up so fast!
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