Four years ago today my tiny girl came into this world. Thirteen days late she was induced at our local hospital, where both her big sister and I were also born. Mr B was sick with a stomach bug so vile they wouldn’t let him into the labour suite until moments before the birth, so my mum joined me for the process that took 7 hours from the moment they broke my waters to Miss M’s arrival.
Apart from the sick daddy, she followed the exact same pattern as Miss E who was induced at fifteen days. Miss E came at 4.01pm, Miss M arrived at 4.14pm.
As births go I think it was fairly normal. I managed on gas and air until near the end when the contractions were coming thick and fast and I needed a little help. An injection of pethidine didn’t really stop the pain but allowed me to detach myself from it enough to push my little girl into the cold air and gentle lighting of the delivery room.
I remember looking down at the little scrap they had laid on my chest and being met by coal dark eyes staring up at me as she managed to lift her head to meet my gaze. It was instant love. No doubts, no fear, she was just perfect and I was so relieved that I could love her like I already loved Miss E.
I don’t remember her crying. She probably did, but not enough that it stayed with me, and the first night, while other babies squawked and snuffled, my little one slept.
Of course that all changed when we got home, but for that first night she was sweet, and serene and I just lay and watched her beside me, too overcome to sleep, taking her in, learning her face, listening to her tiny kitten breaths.
Now four years on and I still find so much joy in watching her sleep, and I don’t mean just because of the lack of noise, the fact that it means time for Mr B and me at last, or that I can climb into a bubblebath with a good book and glass of wine and know I won’t be disturbed, but because she looks like safe and happy and rested. Sometimes if I gently brush a hair from her face she smiles this slow, wide, smile and my eyes fill up.
We love you Miss M. You bring out the best in all of us (most of the time). You make us laugh every day, drive us mad with your scattiness, your singing and your persistence, and we wouldn’t change you for the world.
Happy Birthday babe, lots of love Mummy, Daddy and Miss E.
Enormous great huggles coming your way today. Mwah.
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January 25th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
What a beautiful baby Miss M was/is.
Happy Birthday Miss M and many happy returns. x
January 25th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Bon anniversaire, Miss M!
January 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
She is beautiful!
Happy Birthday, Miss M!
January 25th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
That first look into their eyes. I’ll never forget it.
January 25th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Happy Birthday Miss Madness! You’re a star and we love you.
Rosie and Miss H xxx
January 25th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
she’s brilliant,beautiful and happy.it was ages before we could meet officially and then it was love at first sight.
have a great day.
ju xxxxx
January 25th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Happy Birthday Miss M! What a gorgeous baby you were, I can see why your mama fell in love instantly! Mwah from me too! You have a great day!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:19 am
all crisp- and cookie- aversion suspended *in this house* for the day.
junknot 2009 resumes tomorrow. 
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS M!!!!! -auntie holly (in hawaii, all other adult women are ‘aunties’, so pththth) (and no, i never really mentally left hawaii.)
January 26th, 2009 at 5:17 am
I love that when they react in their sleep. Max sometimes smiles when he hears my voice. Warm, warm, moments.
Happy Birthday, another in the four-club, are you too having 25 kids in fancy dress at your house?
January 26th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Happy belated birthday, Miss M!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
beautiful post. I feel horrible that I missed the big day..but I was having issues. I’m good….now…just issues that kept me away.
Happy Birthday hugs to miss M! LOVE the baby photo. sigh….beautiful.
we really are blessed.
January 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Akela thanks. (Proud)
Dumdad, merci beaucoup mon amie or is it ami??
Sybil thanks babe.
Potty definitely. I can still see it now with both of mine. It makes me so emotional.
Rosie, she is mad isn’t she, hee hee, but you love her right?
Ju thank you my lovely, and thanks for her prezzie. I’ll email a pic of her wearing it soon. I’m so excited that you’ll hopefully get to see her again this year. She’s very different to E but a riot. Love you. xoxox
Karisma thanks. I bet your 5 were stunners too, like their Mummy. xoxox
Holl, you are so Auntie Holly. She wants to know when we will see you all again. I told her soon. Can’t wait. x
Singleparent Dad, it makes me go so wibbly when they do that. And we’re having 40 kids at a nearby Sports Centre on Sunday. I have to provide food, party bags and a team of skilled kid-keeper-safers to watch the Bouncy Castle and enormous blow up slide. Fun.
Coding Mamma thank you.
Kim thanks hon. And it’s Miss Becca’s soon isn’t it. They need to slow down, tsk.
Corey, no feeling horrible allowed my sweet. Hugs.
January 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
What a beautiful story, and beautiful little girl! Happy Belated Birthday!!!
January 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Maureen thanks hon. We all have these stories but it still gets me when I read them.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Happy (belated) birthday Miss M. Nice post.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Cute! They’re so wonderful when they sleep, especially when they smile, talk and chuckle. Thanks so much for the Carnival, I’ve read every post and experienced a whole swathe of emotions – what a fabulous thing this is!