I know it’s been a while since I wrote. I have been a whole lot of busy…. my Sara had a pregnancy where she needed a lot of help. After what happened with baby Russ, she had to be stitched closed. That meant no lifting, no pulling or pushing, and that meant she needed help.
And my time was chewed up with what had to happen. So my weekends were spent with one day on Sara’s house and laundry and one day on my own. Between all that, my tutoring kids and my teaching job and just life, there wasn’t much time for anything else.
Sara’s doctor decided to induce her on Thursday. I was beyond touched that she and Russ invited me to be with them for the birth. As a mom, it was one of our greatest bonding days. I walked with her through contractions, became her breathing buddy, making her laugh and smile. It was all great until,she got stuck at 8cm and no progress. Rachael wasn’t liking the pitocin and Sara was getting so tired. They cut it off awhile and let her rest but I could see on her face, it was wearing.
I massaged her back, she slept a bit and they came in and gave it another go.
Russ and I had to wait outside in the waiting room for the epidural to be done. My stoic son in law was pouring excess energy from ever cell. I told him I just wanted to lay there and take a turn for her and he he did too. We just wanted to help. An epidural helped but it still was 8 cm.. Russ held her hand and I left to go let Bailey out for a bit. Then I called in the big guns. I texted Dr. Jack who just kept encouraging me to keep doing what I could to help. He is always the voice of optimism and hope.
I believed him and hung on, but stopped to pray outside under the tree in the only way I have ever prayed….. “God? It’s me….I need help here…. help for my daughter. We have never done anything the easy way, I get that, but my Sara needs big help. Please, this needs to move along, she needs hope, and so do I! so please…. I have to have one miracle left for myself to gladly give up to help this along. Russ Jr, this is your grandmother calling, Shannon, mom, dad, gather up everyone in our family! I need help! We can’t do this alone, so send help!”
When I got back, I told Sara that whatever the doctor said when she returned we would go along with and she cried but agreed. The midwife told us that the doctor decided to cut back the pitocin and top off the epidural and just give Sara a chance. Awhile later, Sara asked the midwife to check and she said, “Sara, I can feel her head, you did it, and she has hair! Looks like this is a go.”
Between that, hope, and the heaven sent cavalry, the Doctor came in ready to go. I got to be right there holding her foot and helping her bear down, at 8:13 p.m.this happened….
With only a few pushes, Rachael Christine Eddy came into the world weighing a mere five pounds, ten ounces, 18 and 1/4 inches long. They laid her on her mom’s chest she opened her eyes and locked eyes with her mom. I watched the tears roll from my daughter’s eyes, my son in law, so moved and the tears in my own…..
I thanked God and whoever else filled that room. Finally…. after all of it, the joy had arrived…. The hospital stay was all normal and fun. Joey came to visit and immediately became smitten with his niece, as did Sara’s dad and his girlfriend.
The Family came home yesterday. Rachael wore the same sweater and hat that Sara wore when she came home, a family heirloom made by my Oma for Sara.
I came yesterday and today to lend a hand, will come to help on Monday, do laundry, vacuum, grocery run. I am trying to just give time. I love to hold her and would non stop but I don’t. My daughter needs my help. Help to get a routine going, time to shower, to eat, to nap. Russ is taking a short leave to bond with his little girl, so I will feel okay leaving them.
Everyone worried about Bailey, their dog’s reaction, but his role of big brother,is very serious to him. He sleeps by Rachael’s basinette. This morning as Sara got ready for her day and Russ showered, I was working around and Rachael made some baby noises. He immediately jumped up and sniffed near her and whimpered. Then he ran for mom and dad. Sara has to tell him Rachael is okay. Today while Sara napped he heard her and ran to get me from the basement.
All is well..all is wonderful, and as I watch the joy on Sara and Russ’s faces….. watching them fall in love. And the world was so good. And then it got better yesterday. Joey came over for the day to help. I watched him hold her, and talk to her. He kept calling her sweet pea, and gently cooing to her. His massive hands engulfed her entire body. She snuggled into his chest, happy, loved, content.
I looked at his face, and he smiled….. he actually smiled. And I immediately welled up with tears. He was happy….. I thought I might never ever see him happy again. It has been forever since I saw a true smile on his face. Not the pretend kind that he shows the world, but the real thing. And I thanked God for that moment, to see his face, the total love for this little girl. 
After all my family went through, all of us….. there is this sweet tiny miracle. So much love in such a tiny little love bug, sweet pea, as Joey calls her.
Thank you to all for prayers, for helping us hang on…. for Dr. Jack and his constant encouragement and help in treating Sara’s pcos. For him holding my hand through the most stressful year of my entire life, for not giving up on me, but instead helping me hang on. Thank you to Dr. Sanfilippo who took every necessary precaution to help Sara make it, and for not giving up on Sara, being so encouraging to her. Our thanks to the labor and delivery nurses at Mercy hospital, who went all out to help, who remembered our family from baby Russ, and everyone involved in Sara’s treatment and care. But especially thanks to prayer friends, friends who never gave up on the prayers, and who held our hand through this whole journey…. and most especially to God…. God has been so kind to us, sending this child, this sweet faced baby with her beautiful big eyes and sweet personality.
Best Mother’s Day of my entire life. I stopped by the cemetery this morning to thank my grandson for coming when I called. I am most grateful.
Miracles do happen, they really do and joy definitely came back to a family who needed it, and just when we needed it the most….. but especially thanks to Rachael for choosing us. You are a sweet little girl, and we all love you so much already. Your cousin Natalie is so taken with you. Great Aunt Sara came by yesterday for a snuggle and all agree you are just so cute…. We are an interesting family, but I promise you will have every ounce of love and support you will ever need. We will be here for you every step,of your life. We waited a long time for you angel girl…. some babies are rainbow babies, but you dolly, you are so much more. …..
love, Grandma
beautiful written brought happy tears