My Princess Is 5!

My big girl is 5 years old! Five years ago, Ellie turned me into a mother; a job I always wanted to have. She has filled my life with smiles, hugs, kisses and silliness.

Let me tell you a little bit about the day she was born.

We arrived at the hospital around 5 am. I was not given the okay to push until 7:30 pm. It was long and painful. And in our little town, an epidural is not an option, you just deal with the pain. For all those hours, Ellie had her little foot jabbed against my ribs. I would push it down and in no time, she was digging it in again. Not a nice thing to do to mommy when she is trying to bring you into the world!

I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. And her little foot was still pushing on my ribs. Outside the delivery room was my mom, dad, little sister, aunt, cousin, and 2 friends of the family. They say they could hear me screaming and that it was taking a long time. I do not remember any of that, except her little foot.

One of the nurses said to me, "Push like you mean it!"

What? Don't you mess with me right now!

"What do you think I am doing!" I screamed right at her.

She smiled, "Now, that, was your best push." She added on, "Let's make her angry so she can push that baby out."

Ellie did not crown, she did not come body part by body part. She just finally got her little foot against my rib just the right way, and she pushed herself all the way out! One moment she was all in, and the next one she was ALL out! You should have seen the doctor's face as he had to catch the flying baby!

Then they laid her on my chest as I cried, "My baby, my baby, my baby." Ellie looked up straight at me, and just like that, I felt a love I had never felt before.

Happy birthday my sweet Ellie. I am so proud of you. You are a dream come true. You help me remember what it is like to play, and dance, and accept others. I have so much to teach you, yet you have taught me so much more. I love you with all my heart, and foot, and belly, and hands!