One year ago today, I was rounding out my second day of labor. The funny thing about labor in the movies is that it just happens like THAT. The water always breaks when the woman is yelling or doing something important or in the middle of an awkward conversation. Truthfully, Evie would not have been born on this date without an induction. She was 39 weeks and 5 days old when she was born. It took a bunch of Pitocin, Cervidil, a Foley Bulb, and thank God (an epidural) to get here here. Some people would describe her birth as traumatic, but I don't think of it that way. I think she entered this world with ATTITUDE! 

Being Pregnant a 2nd time

I remember exactly when I knew I was pregnant again. I smelled alfredo sauce being reheated and retched. In fact, I couldn't eat alfredo sauce for my entire pregnancy. It made me want to die. Being pregnant when you have 1 kid already is different. For one thing, you can't lie in bed until noon in your pajamas and eat nothing but jalapeno chips and cookies for lunch. You have to feed, entertain and clean up after another human being. You can't start being a subpar mom just because you started cooking the next meal before you got the first one off of the table. I remember calling my husband when I found out and he was so Happy. All I remember thinking is "I don't know how I'm going to do this". 

It wasn't so bad once I got past morning sickness. Declan, bless his soul, was a trooper. He was content most days to play with his toys while I lounged on the couch. The need to go vertical was a rare occurrence. Having morning sickness in midsummer in Southeast Georgia should be a penalty for something. Not pregnancy. But something. We moved while I was pregnant too. It was terrible. We weathered deployments together, just me, my bump who would become Evie and Declan. I slowly started to realize that I could do this whole Mom of 2 thing. Really, I had no option. 

And honestly...labor wasn't awful. It was long sure. And hard. But I'd do it again. 

Evie

She came barreling into this world full of sassiness. I was so exhausted the first time I held her that I didn't register a lot of what they said to me. I remember hearing something about how she had dimples. Case closed. I guess we know who her parents are. We had an adjustment period for sure. Life for Evie has been a series of uphill battles. It took us 3 months to learn she was lactose intolerant. There were rivers of gripe water in those days. And then came the binkie I never thought my children would need. She also had to contend with an older brother who is a tornado of energy. She won him over from the first time she looked at him. And she rolls with the punches now. It took her a while but she learned how to give as good as she got. 

She does things slower than Declan did. She didn't sit up until 6 months. Didn't crawl until 8 or 9 months. But then two week after that she decided..."Eh...I'll stand up today and see what all the fuss is about". She constantly surprises us with her ingenuity. She has a zest for life that is infectious. She will cure a bad mood with one smile. I see in her already a solid core of strength and determination. If she goes down, she's going down swinging. But she will pick herself right back up and try again. She makes me believe that our children are the best parts of our souls mixing to create a new and wonderful person. 

So to my Evie Grace. My little love. Our Princess Pudge. Baby Sister. Angel Face. Num Num Cheekies Savela. Happy Birthday from Mommy, Daddy and Declan. We love you so much.