Valentina 2.0

My sweet baby girl is TWO!  Another fabulous year of blessings...

I was very emotional this morning as I relived every moment of your wonderful birth.

You were due on May 15th and I was certain that you would come early like Salvatore did.  On the 17th, the doctor told me to go in the next morning at 9 a.m. for induction.  That night, I wanted to sleep with Salvatore and hold him while I cried and feared the change that was suddenly going to happen.  I made lots of promises about how calm and patient I would be with him and how he was always going to be special to me because he was my first and only son.  And while he slept, I didn't.  Around 1 a.m., I felt the familiar signs of quick labor.  I woke David up, called my dad to come over and stay with Sal, and off we went to St. Jude.

I remember the drive there was so peaceful, as the streets were empty and dark.  I was so happy that labor started on its own and I prayed for another wonderful experience.  We parked, told them upstairs that I was scheduled for that same morning and they admitted me right away.  I was at 4 cm.  I labored on my own for three hours until I got to 8 cm, and then took the epidural.  While I rested, Daddy rested.  Everyone there took wonderful care of me,  and by 8 a.m., they thought maybe you were ready. Not yet.  We stopped the epidural.

When my favorite doctor, Dr. Buchanan, finally started his shift at 9 a.m., we were all ready.  He sat down casually at the foot of my bed, and we easily welcomed you at 9:18 a.m.  Everyone gasped at how much hair you had and when I first saw your face, you opened your eyes and looked right at me.  I gasped and then cried a river at how much I instantly loved you.  Daddy and I both cried.  And you were such a good baby. I loved nursing you for 13 months.  I loved how attached you got to your big brother.  I loved how easy it was to grow into 4 and how you act independent and affectionate at the same time.  

(She and Benedict spent the night together here and this is how I found them in the morning.)

Valentina, you are the daughter that I always dreamed of.  You fit right in.  You make yourself heard.  You speak your little mind.  You try hard to figure things out.  You adore your brother.  You dance like the music is in your SOUL.  You scream and cry and fuss but always apologize and want a hug.  You help feed Benedict and put your dirty clothes away.  You love to dress up and wear your many favorite shoes. You look as beautiful with wild, unkept hair as you do with perfectly styled hair.  You sing the alphabet with gusto.  You prefer Spanish to English.  You feel empathy when others are sad or crying.  You pick yourself up and go on.  

That's my girl.  

I. LOVE. YOU.