~ Wednesday's Walk - A Wedding & A Baby ~

I'm taking a walk back to Feb 27-28, 2000. My friend Sherry was getting married in a small wedding just family & few close friends, on Feb 27, 2000. I had been staying w/ her going thru a tough time in my life. I had recently been laid off on Jan 4, 2000 but found a job on Jan 28, 2000. I was working alot & for just starting had been working 60+ hrs a week. I hardly had time to help w/ the wedding but somehow the day was soon coming together. I'm a crafty person when I have time & I made all the flowers for her wedding plus stand up for her. I finally found a apartment on Feb 20th. Exciting time things were falling into place. The day of the wedding came & I had worked all night came home to sleep but my back hurt sooooooo bad. Nothing like it had ever hurt before. I kept trying to think of what I could have done. I slept a few hrs & then got up to head over to Sherry's to get ready for the wedding. My back still hurt but I tried to not let it bother me, took some more Tylenol & thought this has to stop soon. We joked about my back & Sherry said maybe it is because the weekend before we took her out for her last nite single. I usually don't drink much but I didn't have to drive so I did & I know I had a good time. I know i danced alot & I love to dance. Time to leave for the weddding it's noon the wedding started at 2:00pm. I did Sherry's hair & her daughter's & mine. Just about time for the wedding my back got worse, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stand up. Somehow I did it, don't know how I was in pain. The wedding went great & things were over at 7:00pm. Sherry knew I didn't feel good so after we got things cleaned up, she tried to talk me into going to the hospital. I of course said No I'm fine. I have to go to work tonite. I worked 3rd shift & told her I hate to miss work I just started there. I went home & couldn't sleep it was 9pm so I decided to call off of work. At 10:30 I felt worse & decided to give in & go to the hospital.

It is now 11:15 & I just arrived at the E.R. They were busy of course & the lady signed me in & told me to have a seat in the waiting room. The pain got so bad I could hardly stand or sit. It's 11:55pm & they take me back to a room in E.R. The nurse asked some questions & had me put a gown on. She asked me where it hurt & next thing there is the Doctor. He had me lay on my side & then I laid on my back. He said I have great news I know what's wrong with you. You have about 45 minutes your having a baby. I was in shock & what was I supposed to say........ They hurried & told me to O.B & so many thoughts went through my head........ I never was to a Dr would this baby be stillborn I know I never felt anything. I never took classes for a baby, How bad will this hurt, & lots of other things. While they were getting me ready for the birth they asked me if there was someone I wanted to call. I couldn't think...... I said No. I had just broke-up with the baby's father & who would believe me so late at nite. Sherry was staying at a motel in town but I wasn't about to call her. I prayed to God so hard that you help me do this. I knew he would be there. Well the time came 1:15am I gave birth to a baby boy. I was so scared I heard no cry & all I can remember is laying there praying. Finally they told me your baby is fine & being checked out. Wow it wasn't bad having him 3 Big pushes & he was out. I still hadn't held him but they had lots of tests to run & I was still trying to let it soak in that I'm a Mommy. At 5:00am my nurse who had held my hand during the birth came in. She brought me something to eat I was starved. I might have slept a little cause they were poking at me so much.After breakfast about 9am a nurse came in & asked me do you want to hold your baby ? I was still in shock & hadn't called anyone yet. I said Yes & it was so wonderful to think he was mine & so beautiful. I will never forget the first moment. I called Sherry right after lunch & told her. Took her 5 minutes to get there it seemed like.No one could believe it. I called my sister next & told her it made her become a Aunt for the 4th time that month. Her husband's sister had twins on Feb 16th & his brother had a son on Feb 8th. It was also leap yr that yr. Things all worked out & the hospital called our pregnancy care center & they came to the hospital with lots of stuff for us. It took some getting used to & my life changed so much,so fast. My special little boy Ridge Logan weighted 8lbs & a gift from God. I was always told I would never be able to have a child or carry one. I was 35yrs old. God was watching over us & everyday he is there for you & me.

One more thing before I close Ridge is 9 yrs old today & a very normal boy. He is also in a class at school for gifted children. He is very smart & I think I carried you without a Dr & we made it w/ God by our side.