Happy Birthday Kaylee! It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since you arrived on Valentine's Day, 1991! When you were little you loved watching the Valentine's Day decorations go up because it meant your birthday was near. You'd get so excited for the party at school on your birthday and carefully planned the special treats you'd bring. Of course, as the baby of the family, you were our little sweetheart! You've grown into such a wonderful young woman. I love your ready smile and subtle humor and admire how hard you work at everything you do. You're talented, beautiful and smart. It's a treat to be your mom and your friend and I love your dearly!!! Look at the end for the story of your birth.
June 1991 - Age 4 months
Feb 1992 - First Birthday
Sept 1992 - Age 1 1/2
Sept 1993 - Age 2 1/2
You look just like a little Valentine!
Sept 1995- Age 4 1/2
Sept 1997- Age 6 1/2 - first grade
Sept 1998 - Age 7 1/2 - 2nd grade
Sept 1999 - Age 8 1/2 - 3rd grade
April 2000 - Age 9 - 3rd grade
Sept 2000 - Age 9 1/2 - 4th grade
Sept 2001 - Age 10 1/2 - 5th grade
Yours was the only birth we scheduled. I'd been walking around for a couple of weeks dilated to 5 cm with tons of false labor and Dr. DeLeon was headed out of town, so we finally decided to induce labor on Thursday, February 14. We arrived at Kennewick General about 7 a.m. and settled into the new birthing room. Since John's office was right next door, literally two minutes away, and since I had a history of taking a while to get down to business, John decided to see a few patients first and left about 8 a.m.
The nurse and I chatted for a few minutes as the pit started mild contractions. I wasn't even uncomfortable yet when I told her that I kind of felt like I wanted to push. Wise nurse that she was, she ignored the fact that it was way too soon for that and instead took the word of a mother of five. No sooner had she wheeled the deliver equipment in "just in case" that I was absolutely CERTAIN I was ready to push and she started hollering out the door for help. Things moved quickly then as they simultaneously converted the bed into delivery position, firmly told me not to push and frantically looked for Dr. Dockum. They got his office on the phone and were told he was in with a patient and would be over when he finished. It wasn't exactly shouting, but they probably heard me from across the room tell the nurse to tell him to get over here NOW! Three minutes later he breathlessly arrived just in time to help me with your delivery. Dr. DeLeon also ran from her office across the street and barely made it. Time of birth - 9:39 a.m. Shortest, easiest labor ever!
The kids made us promise to let them know as soon as you arrived, so by 10:30ish they were announcing your arrival over the classroom PA systems at Cascade and Amistad, which added some excitement to the Valentine's parties in progress. Nanette and Nollie got notes from the office. By lunchtime John was back in the office, leaving us to get acquainted. We'd talked about the name Kaylee and that fit you perfectly, so the name game hadn't taken long. Knowing you'd likely be our last baby, we decided on Donelle as a middle name, since both you and John had an uncle Don.
John brought everyone over to meet you after school. Bekka and Rikker carefully showed you all their valentines and Kira brought a special one she'd made just for you. You calmly posed for pictures with everyone and didn't seem to mind the crowd. Normally we'd have gone home the next day, but specifically because of the crowd at home, we got an extra day of rest in the hospital and another fun visit. It was hard to find any baby pictures of just you, since everyone wanted to hold you. You had lots of mothering from the sisters, but Nollie became your big sister friend. Nanette, almost 13, was pushing your stroller later that summer and someone asked if you were her daughter, which mortified her. She decided to stick with Kira and Bekka in public from then on. You became the last of the "little girls" and the three of you were best buds and roommates most of your childhood. I can still hear John calling, "Where are my little girls?" as he came in the door at night. After you'd all mobbed him, he went in search of his son and the big girls, for hugs and kisses. You were the perfect ending to our wonderful family!
John brought everyone over to meet you after school. Bekka and Rikker carefully showed you all their valentines and Kira brought a special one she'd made just for you. You calmly posed for pictures with everyone and didn't seem to mind the crowd. Normally we'd have gone home the next day, but specifically because of the crowd at home, we got an extra day of rest in the hospital and another fun visit. It was hard to find any baby pictures of just you, since everyone wanted to hold you. You had lots of mothering from the sisters, but Nollie became your big sister friend. Nanette, almost 13, was pushing your stroller later that summer and someone asked if you were her daughter, which mortified her. She decided to stick with Kira and Bekka in public from then on. You became the last of the "little girls" and the three of you were best buds and roommates most of your childhood. I can still hear John calling, "Where are my little girls?" as he came in the door at night. After you'd all mobbed him, he went in search of his son and the big girls, for hugs and kisses. You were the perfect ending to our wonderful family!
No comments:
Post a Comment