The Birth of Claire

This is me pregnant and in labour with Claire Allyson

(water had broken at night, heading to hospital)

Claire Allyson...she was due March 19th...and on the 23rd of February, I had just finished getting my hair done at the salon (I was determined not to have roots as I did in Cameron's birth)...Cliff came to pick me up. He asked if I wanted to go for dinner...nope. A movie? nope. Didn't feel like it. I was tired and restless. So, we picked up fast food. McD's in fact. We ate. We drove home. I took out my pregnancy journal and began to write in it about my day. I felt a warm trickle...a familiar feeling. I continued to write. Another trickle. OMG my water is broken...I do not believe it. This is 4 weeks early. It cannot be. My sister phoned me, and asked if I wanted to meet them at the local Tim Hortons. I said...uh...shocked. I think I am going to have the baby soon. What?? I told her. I called Cliff into the bathroom...My water has broken...he was in disbelief. We called the hospital and they asked us to come in. So at around 10:30 pm we made our way to the hospital. I got the "big room" this time. Yes...I hardly had any contractions all through the night. So, at about 9 am my old L and D nurse from our first set of prenatal classes Judy was my nurse! That was awesome. She got me on the big ball and had me rolling about...the contractions started...they got harder and harder. So, my doctor arrived just around 10:30. I had a nurse, and another nurse was invited in to watch a "beautiful birth"...too funny. So...I had a bit of gas, got ready to push, Cliff at my side, and my sisters at my feet. About 20 mins later at 11:00 am on the nose. Claire Allyson was born February 24th. It was a beautiful February day and sunny! She was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was COVERED in vernix...she was so white and soft, and had downy hair on her back. She smelled so good. She had a bit of trouble warming up, so she was in her warmer, and had a temp. patch on her to make sure she stayed warm. Eventually she did. I got to breastfeed her. She latched right away. She did so well. My Sister's were there for her birth, and April rubbed my feet, and Amy took pictures. The rest of the family came in right away to see her...a sister for Cameron! I called her my little tulip, as somebody brought tulips to me for her birth. Beautiful pink ones. A big box of Tim Bits were brought in too...As others call her a Timbit as I ate A LOT of those and hot chocolate during my pregnancy. We went home 2 days later.

Cathy