A Birthday Blogpost

I just spent my 35th birthday at Piedmont Hospital, and have lots to be thankful for.

Every time a baby is born here, some chimes play a few measures of "Turn, turn, turn" by the Byrds. So I woke up reflecting on my own June 17 early morning birthday, and my husband greeted me almost immediately with a yummy breakfast from the outside world. We spent some GREAT family time together with the babes twice. I got to witness daddy's heart being stolen by a new girl as he held Meredith for the first time.

My parents came with balloons, cake, and gifts. The nursing staff joined the family in serenading me with another small cake--compliments of Piedmont Hospital. Mom very proudly remarked that 35 years ago today, she was the one in the bed! It was fun having her take care of me today. Hopefully I will be able to do the same for Meredith one day, when time will "turn, turn, turn" to the next generation. It is a pretty awesome thing to realize your place in the cosmos like this.

I must give a shout out to all the nurses and practitioners who have cared for me at Piedmont. I hadn't ever given much thought to what nurses do, but it's incredible. A couple of times I was sure that I was on the way to meet my Maker. How powerful it was to suddenly have a team of seven or so lovely women at your bedside poised and ready to perform even the most unlovely of tasks. They were so vigilant, caring, and personable. They even help you through random fits of crying at lonely hours. Of course it's easy to revere doctors--OBs, anesthesiologists, and neonatal specialists. But nurses are truly incredible people. Actually, a NICU nurse gets the birthday surprise prize. When I went to visit Fisher and Meredith at 5:00, they (she) had left me a "Mommy, we love you!!! Happy Birthday!" card in one of their heated isolettes. It was signed with both pairs of their tiny, sweet footprints. I was instantly brought to tears. What a bummer to not have been able to gestate the twins any longer, but Meredith and Fisher are so lucky to have the NICU nurses to finish out the last trimester with skill and grace.

By the way, Meredith and her mom are both thankful for the gift of blood. I've not given enough in my lifetime, but realize now how valuable it is. It helped save her life and reboot my own.

Steve's dad has come to visit from Santa Fe. He's here to help get the house in working order and to keep Steve out of the Looney Bin, as that is my rightful place in our relationship. So tonight Sid got to begin the epic spoilage of his 3rd grandson, with the NICU nurse letting him stay way past visiting hours to hold Fisher and feed his 21 ml's of dinner! We practically had to drag him out of the NICU, which was another birthday present to me. I never had a grandfather, but these newbies have already gotten to be held by two of the best.

Then dinner from the outside, compliments of my husband, Candice, and all the wonderful team at Capozzi's (my culinary refuge). And from my doctor, a final dosage of birthday Percocet and an Ambien. It's true--I won't get too many good nights of sleep this year, but I'm positive it will be worth it.

Also, random thanks for wonderful blessings (large and small) that I've discovered anew this week: laughing, walking, hot showers, compassionate aunts, friends that pack and feed you, flowers, and the determination of life and the human body.

A time for sleep.