I didn’t do pregnancy well. I didn’t glow, there was no ethereal quality about me…my goal was to get that person taking over my body out as fast as possible. Peyton was a miserable pregnancy. I spent the last couple of months on bed-rest, and I wanted nothing more than to NOT be pregnant anymore.
Peyton has always done things her own way, she came into this world in a spectacular manner and I can’t imagine why we ever thought life with her would be dull. I traditionally have quick labors, I believe less than 10 hours total with three kids (but it hurt for like 25 hours each, just condensed down, I swear!). I’d managed to go without epidural drugs during my first two deliveries and because I have the womb of steel, I decided I could do it again this ONE LAST TIME. It didn’t take me long to decide that I was a complete wuss, I would not be doing this whole pushing out of the baby thing without some serious drugs. At that point, I didn’t care if they were spinal, IV, or if Pete had to run out to a 7-11 parking lot and find a “guy”….someone was giving me some drugs and fast.
During delivery, I was supported by Pete and my best friend Dawn. One on each side of me and doing their best to keep me sane through it all. I remember being totally focused on the monitor and through each contraction, I would ask “Is it going down? Down? Down?” (for those of you who’ve never had the privilege, the monitor shows an uprise when a contraction starts, then goes down as it starts to receed)….all I wanted to hear was that it was going down because that meant the contraction would eventually end…and there’s Pete “No, it’s still going up, honey, still going up….oh wait, it might be….no, still going up.” If I hadn’t been laid out giving birth to the man’s child, I seriously would have taken a swing on him.
After what felt like a week, but in reality was about 20 minutes, the anesthesiologist came in!! Whooo hooo….the drug pusher is here! I go to sit up so that he can administer the epidural and Peyton basically falls out. Yes, slid out like she was coated in Crisco. She bounces across the bed and only the perfect timing of my friend Dawn saved her from using her umbilical cord as a bungee string, because she stopped Peyton’s roll off the bed with her thighs.
Peyton was born.
I turned to the doctor and the anesthesiologist and let them know, in no uncertain terms, that I wasn’t paying for the jobs they didn’t do!
Life with Peyton hasn’t been easy. There have been moments of sorrow and fear, but each day with her is a blessing and I cannot explain the joy and gratitude I feel to be given the awesome gift of being her mother. To look at this little God-given treasure and know that I had a part in bringing her into the world, it never fails to astound me.
Happy birthday, my sweet girl. I love you and you will always be my baby.
f.r.o.G…fully relying on God
–Anissa
Birth day….ok, really, did you need that one explained?
1st birthday…that’s how I eat all my cakes, don’t judge us!
2cnd birthday
3rd birthday
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 3:15 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEYTON. :SMILE Just to explain, my name is Dawn and I'm Stephanie Walker's aunt in England. I have been following your story for a few weeks now and think your Mum writes brilliantly about all your experiences. Her description of your birth made me laugh till I cried, I can really empathise – tell her you'll leave the bungee jumping until your 21st birthday, then go and celebrate in the best way possible. I can't wait till she publishes her book – I'm sure we can make it an international bestseller. Well I'd buy it anyway!!
Peyton, 4 is such a special age. I hope you and all your family really enjoy today even though Daddy can't be with you, I'm sure he's sending all his love and hugs down the phone. I wish God's blessings on all your family for a very happy and HEALTHY year to come. Go show the world just what you're made of – although I think you've probably already been doing that!
Much love,
Dawn.
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 3:52 am
Happy Birthday- Peyton! Love your sweet smile!
Love, Karen
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 5:59 am
HAPPY birthday to you – happy birthday day to you – happy birhday to Peyton – happy birthday to you – CHA CHA CHA – kombaha – HUHHHHHH/
Okay really didn't know how to spell that last part – but I hear my kids sing it that way. I hope you have another WONDERFUL day – all about Peyton. Mom try not to be too mean to the baby girl…… put the hot sauce AWAY! Love ya – Penny (Mom to Princess Nicole)
[url=http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nikkihawkins]www.caringbridge.org/visit/nikkihawkins[/url]
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Happy Birthday Petyton! Anissa- love that birth story. You always crack me up.
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Happy Birthday Peyton! I hope you have a WONDERFUL day!
Love ~ Kim Dubin
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Happy Birthday to the cutest, funniest, girl in the whole wide world!!!
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Happy birthday, sweet Peyton! Have a super day!
Love and hugs! 🙂
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Happy Birthday Peyton!!!
I love your birth story, it's so you.
My husband caught our third child, Savannah. She's quite a firecracker too. I hope you have a awesome day sweetie.:WINK
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Happy Birthday Peyton!!! What a beautiful young lady you are becoming!:SMILE
Love,
Gwen
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Happy Birthday, Beautiful Peyton! I hope you have a SUPERFANTABULOUS day!!!
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
:SMILE
Happy Birthday Peyton eat lots of cake!
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY PAYTON & FAMILY….Obviously you are always a "team" effort – share and share alike – including b'day cake. I hope that you will pay mom back one day for sharing all your secrets when YOU write about HER old age and what life is like taking care of a Mom with an amazing sense of humor and a huge/loving heart. By the way, even though you celebrated BEFORE dad left, chances are if you play it right – there may even be yet another b'day cake for say 4 1/2 – cause you wear b'day well!!!:SMILE
on Dec 5th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Happy Birthday Peyton I hope you had a great day! Love and prayers- Amber- Nikki Hawkins pal =)