8 years ago

8 years ago, November, I was suprisingly ending an agonizing pregnancy with an emergency C-section. The result....my Savannah. I have been thinking about her a lot laltely, staring at her eating dinner, walking up to the school, playing the piano, and marveling at the little person she has become. It is a bitter sweet thing to see your children grow. I continue to be in awe of her as I watch the daily growth of my sweet girl, and wonder how we ever got to this point!
When I found out I was pregnant with her, we were a bit shocked. According to my health history and previous tests, it was supposed to be difficult for me to conceive. And suddenly, the week I was scheduled to have surgery to increase those odds, there she was! That shock was soon followed by the realization that because of what my health tests showed, it may not work out...although it was too late since we already loved her. This realization was soon followed by another very real obstacle...months of relentless, agonizing nausea and constant throwing up (which was later determined to be hyperemisis gravedarium) which lead to various medications, a tear in my esophogus, quitting my job, and endless days in bed. Those days are still a torturous, dark memory as I look back.

Around the sixth month, I began to tolerate eating and came off of my medications, only to be bombarded with some very real pain, etc. that was thought to be kidney stones. This, along with a few other hurdles, went on to the 38th week. It all led up to the night I became increasingly anxious as I realized I had not felt Savannah move all day long. Through thoughtful prayer we decided to run to the hospital (again) to make sure everything was ok. Neither of us was prepared to have a baby that night. But as we arrived at the hospital, checked in, got all hooked up to the monitors...it quickly became apparent that she was in fetal distress. Within half an hour of arriving, we had a baby. I will never forget my Dr. reading me all the "could happen" things on the form I was supposed to sign to allow them to do the surgery, as they were quickly inserting my IV and wheeling me down the hall. It all happened so fast. I admit I was terrified! But, I will never forget the miracle of Savannah when I first looked into her eyes and saw her turn her head when she heard our voices. She instantly imbeded her way into my heart.
The nurses told me she had a knot in her cord, and it was wrapped around her neck...if we had waited any longer to come in, we would have no Savannah. It is very humbling to know that she made it here, as I know of many instances where this has not been so. I just always figured she was supposed to make it here. And I am incredibly grateful that she did.

Savannah was my rainbow after what seemed like a relentless storm. I cannot believe I have been allowed to be her mother. I have felt from the moment I saw her that she is a very special person, and I am so honored to have the opportunity to love her, teach her, and watch her grow into the amazing daughter of God that she is. I can't wait to see what the next 8 years bring. I am sure those years will be full of twists and turns, but I can't imagine anything more important than traveling those roads with her. So, here's to my rainbow, my first little miracle....and to the years ahead.