On The Day You Were Born ~ at home

And as they held you close they whispered in your open, curving ear,
” We are so glad you’ve come!”

~Debra Frasier On The Day You Were Born

Today you are two. Wow. What an adventure your journey into the world was.

I can hardly believe it has been two years. You and I went on such a wild ride together and we beat the odds together when no one thought we would.  At 29 weeks you were so impatient and you tried to come join us before you were ready.  You and I had this fantastic plan to bring you into the world at home and you just didn’t seem to understand that plan could only happen with patience.

We had to go to the hospital together, the one place we didn’t want to be.

We had to get pumped with things that made both of us sick.  You were the only person I had that understood how it felt to be in this body that felt like it was on fire day after day.  You were the only person I had at night when everyone was asleep who knew that each day and each night that we endured this pain brought us one step closer to going home and staying there.  They all told us we couldn’t do it.  Each of them said that you and I needed to accept that we were going to make your first breath be filled with cold hospital air, bright lights and strangers prodding you.  You and I both knew that we would not allow that scenario to play out.  You and I were right.

We went home and we stayed there.

We laid in that bed for 8 long weeks.  We watched a lot of Food Network didn’t we?  When the day came we walked, we talked and we enjoyed those last few moments sharing the same body.  Then the time came and everyone was ready.  Your doula was there, you had two midwives and your siblings and your parents. Your dog paced the hallway awaiting the moment of your birth.  Your cat peeked in the door often to see if you had arrived so he could snatch his spot on the bed back.  The moon was up and stars were out.  Music played softly and the candles were burning.  The room smelled like sandlewood and everyone waited.  You and I were home surrounded with love and calm.  There were no strangers waiting for you, only the people who loved you and had watched you grow. We did it  and your first breath came and it was filled with love and sandlewood.  You took your first breath in my arms and you stayed there.  No one whisked you away.  The first words you heard were whispered into your ear by your father.  You were warm and new and content and you were home.  The moment you were born the only thing that surrounded you was your home and your family. The way you and I planned. The way no one believed you would be born. We did it.

This morning I woke up in the same bed you were born in two years ago.

You were curled up next me and your soft curls were laying against my cheek.  You beautiful lips were parted in a sleepy smile.  You looked so happy hogging this bed of your birth. I spent the morning staring at you and looking around this room you were born in and remembering so clearly the day you were born. The room still smells like sandlewood.  Your cat is still curled up in his spot on the bed.  I am so glad you were born at home.  I am forever grateful to have had that long journey with you.  If I had to do it again I would do it a thousand times over.  I cannot think of one thing about that day you were born that was not absolutely perfect, including you.  Thank you for hanging in there with me.  I know it was hard. I know it was worth it.  I hope your life is filled with the happiness and peace and beauty that surrounded you on the day you were born.

Happy Second Birthday Wylde.

~RM1 (your mama)