My Most Favorite Girl in the World

Hannah’s birthday was last Tuesday – on April 7th. She turned 11-years-old. It seems like time is flying by now. I remember when she was first born and someone told Alan and me that the next years would go by so fast; to enjoy them. At the time, Hannah was getting up several times a night and Alan and I were both sleep-deprived, so I didn’t think things were going by very fast then! But, alas, it’s true. She will be in middle school this coming fall and that just blows my mind.

I still remember vividly the first time I ever laid eyes on her sweet face. She was due on March 30th., but she didn’t come then. A week later, she still hadn’t decided to make her debut, so the doctor induced me and helped Hannah come into the world. She was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Augusta, Ga. – back when it was called St. Joseph. She was born in the same hospital her father was born in, which I thought was pretty cool. Her dad held her first because my arms were sort of strapped down – I had a c-section and apparently they do that for some reason. Alan held her over and I kissed her little velvet-soft forehead. She had on this tiny blue and pink striped knit hat. I was absolutely overwhelmed with the incredibleness of God’s creation.

I wouldn’t see her again until about three hours later. I had to wait in a room until the feeling came back in the lower half of my body, and she had to go get her first bath and first bottle. I kept asking everyone about her. Finally, a nurse brought her to my room about 10:00 at night and I got to hold her. I held her for a long time, just looking at her. There is just nothing like holding your child for the first time.

She was perfect. I think she still is.