Coming of age

This time 18 years ago, I was lying in a hospital bed waiting to find out what was happening with the baby I was carrying. I'd been in for monitoring as the doctors said the baby was big and needed to come out soon; I also had high blood pressure brought on by the pregnancy. It was 10 days before my due date. 
In the morning I was told that my little sister Carolyn had gone into labour on her due date, and by lunchtime I was told that I would have a C-section that afternoon, after the surgeons had finished their planned list and before they went home for the day. That way, it was decided, the baby could be brought out safely and we'd avoid maybe having an emergency section in the next few days. So it was that my beautiful daughter Claire was born, 12 hours after her cousin Marie.  From the start she was quiet and slept for hours at a time. One of the nurses commented "c'est une tranquille" unlike that "screamer", Julie, in the next crib. 
It just seems like a moment ago. I can remember every detail, especially how terrified I was of being in charge of this little mite, but at the same time how incredibly natural it all felt. 
Happy Birthday darling! May you always know how much you are loved, and may all your hopes and dreams come true. Mum xxx

Comments

[SR]

Happy Birthday Claire!!!

[Soojay]

Aww Happy Birthday Claire :)

[you know who]

wow, way to make me cry, mommy :(
<3

[christine laing]

Oh Jen ... This is making me cry. Happy Birthday Claire. I hope that you know how great your Mom is. I know how great she is. She is my best friend. She has been for many many years and will forever be the only one. Gros bisous. Christine

[liz]

I hope you had a great day, you can see that its you as a baby (obviously you have blossomed!!!!)