I pick up the phone and it's Sarah (one of my best friend's who's due with a baby girl at any moment).
Me: "Sarah, are you in labor?!"
Her: "I'm not saying I'm IN labor, but I'm not saying I'm NOT in labor."
Then I hear a huge inhale and exhale on the other end of the phone. It sounded painful!
Looking back, I'm pretty sure she was in denial she was actually in labor.I left for Cleveland at 6am the next morning, because she was admitted that night to the hospital. I knew I was speeding, but I was on a mission and sooooo excited for my friends! {And for me, because I was going to spend a few days with a couple of awesome kids}.
Looking back over the past few days, I am amazed at myself - I mean I knew I was an adult, but I kept two children happy and fed and busy for 3 days! And I even took them to church and out to dinner one night!
Yes, I'm tooting my own horn here.
My first mission on Sunday morning, was to pick the kids up at the neighbors house and get us all to church on time - 10am. And I did it! Well, pretty much - it was 10:02am, but we definitely were not the last ones in the door, so I call that a WIN! And everyone looked fabulous...just look how excited they were...
After church, we came back home and did a little craft - I asked the kids what they wanted to teach their new, little sister. Their responses were awesome - "swimming, dad is really funny, knives are sharp, don't pet animals (only dogs), the zoo makes you really happy". I put each of their comments on a page of construction paper and had them color, draw, sticker it, etc. and then we put it in clear pocket pages and tied ribbon through the 3-holes.
They were very proud of their hard work, and couldn't wait to give it to their sister and Mom and Dad!
We headed to the hospital to meet Sweet Baby Hazel, and the entire way there, I was answering questions about how big she is, how she eats, what she would wear. It was really cute to hear all the questions they were coming up with. Here's an excited Asher (4), giving his dad their first craft:
Elsa (3), meeting Hazel for the first time - she was so gentle and kind and touched her skin so softly.
And this picture that shows the absolute love and adoration these two have for each other, and for family. They truly are the PERFECT match. Not just anyone could keep up with Sarah's fun, outgoing and optimistic personality - it took a very special man to keep up ;-) When Sarah and I met, we instantly hit it off and I tell people we're sisters from different mothers - we have the same outlook and passion for life and love and fun.
After the visit, we were all exhausted - I took the kids to a quick dinner (because I realized that Elsa can't go more than 20 minutes without having to go potty hahaha). So we had to do an emergency stop off - why not grab dinner too?! Then we grabbed some fruit and veggies for the next couple days, took baths and CRASHED.
No one fought me on bathtime or bedtime - not even getting their pj's on. Neither of them even flinched when we had to brush teeth, say prayers, read some scripture - they just fell asleep after it all! I realized they were pretty exhausted when Asher started getting tears in his eyes and said that "2 days with me isn't enough, it needs to be like 12! Why can't it be 12?!"
We had a nice, lazy morning on Monday - slept in until about 730, played legos and princesses, had "Blueberry surprise" for breakfast (blueberry Chobani w/cut up banana hidden in it). Then we packed some snacks in our Lunchskins - the kids really liked packing their own, and then headed out to the hospital.
Of course, we had to stop again on our way to and from the hospital, and it's only a 25 minute drive. And we even went potty before we left! I was getting better at reminding everyone to go though (you just don't think of these things if you don't have kids or a small bladder! lol)
Hazel is just beautiful! We found out that she had a slight fracture in her elbow from birth, and had to have 2 small pins inserted via surgery, and wear a cast for 3 wks. But then, she'll be good as new again and will grow normally and perfectly again! Seeing a two day old baby in a tiny cast though, hurts your heart a little.
The kids and I headed home and enjoyed the nice weather - played on their awesome playset, swung them way too high for MY liking, but not nearly high enough for them. Then we had a picnic dinner outside. That same night, Monday, Sarah and Micah headed up to the Cleveland Clinic for Hazel's surgery the next morning.
We made sure that our prayers were even stronger than ever, and the kids prayers were priceless - "what's our little baby's name again?" They prayed for "all her little toes, and the little sounds she makes and how soft she is". It was so sweet to listen to.
We slept in until 830 on Tuesday morning - I felt sooooo refreshed! Elsa came in and snuggled me for a while, then we got up and had "Strawberry Surpise" for breakfast, then started on the next couple craft projects - homemade onesies using their handprints and fingerprints! They looooooooooved getting messy in the paint! The each got to pick which animals to make - here's what we made on some newborn and 3 month onesies:
We let them dry and quickly decorated a "welcome home" banner, then headed to the hospital in the afternoon, once Hazel got the all clear from surgery.
The hospital had a beautiful fish tank that the kids loved watching and naming every single fish in. We were allowed 3 at a time into the room, so we took shifts. Hazel looked so sweet laying there with her little cast - and then we got the good news - Hazel could come home! Of course it took a few hours to compile all the paperwork, etc, so the kids played in the playroom for a while - Asher was the King of the Wii! {well, it wasn't a Wii, but it was a wireless game where you jump and run, and it knows where you are - I'm not cool enough to know these things lol}
While we were waiting, we ate our packed lunch by the fish tank - I packed more substantial snacks than the day before AND sandwiches - I'm learning! Then they were finally released as a family of 5!!!
Just in the knick of time too, because Namma Lawson landed at 5pm! I drove Sarah and the baby home, while Micah took the kids to pick up Sarah's mom. I don't think I've ever been soooooo careful of a driver in my ENTIRE life! I mean, I had some very precious cargo with me!
I was going to head home last night, but ended up leaving early this morning instead. I just couldn't leave. I was enjoying my Hazel snuggles too much, and I really loving all the celebration of life that was happening. The energy and adrenaline kept me going, even though my body was sooo exhausted.
I remember at one point, I said to the kids "gosh I'm so tired". Elsa said "why don't you rest yo-wa eyes?" So I did - I literally closed my eyes while they played legos. Then Asher poked me and told me that was long enough LOL. It was 10 minutes, but those 10 minutes were the best!
I really had an amazing few days with my friends, and yes, I might have cried when I left. (understandably, right?!)
I'm beyond honored that they thought to include me on this huge, momentous, life-changing occasion and entrusted me with some of their most prized posessions. I am amazed at how much women go through to give birth and afterwards, and Sarah just took it in stride. I never stop being amazed by this woman - she has such strength! All women do, but especially her - there's just a calm Grace about her that I love. She just brings everyone around her, Peace.
As I was leaving today and hugging everyone goodbye, Asher said: "Adrienne, you've got something in your eyes". Sarah looked at him and said "you mean the wet stuff?" Me: "those are tears, buddy". This morning was such a hard goodbye!
My heart hasn't been this full in a while, nor my body so phsyically exhausted. And it's all so worth it.
Thanks again for including me in this amazing journey! Love you all!
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