15 Years Ago Today.....

Sasha, you are 15 years old today!!!  It hardly seems possible, but you are growing so fast.  Literally, as in the past few months you have been growing UP and are now @ 3 inches taller than me.  And in many others ways as you mature through your teenage years.

Hope you enjoy these memories of 15 years ago....

• Christmas, 1996 had been very nice, though I was not especially interested in it.  I was already on leave from work, and remember going to Boscov's to look for after-Christmas bargains on Dec. 26th.  I was very large by that time, and though I hate to admit it was probably at the waddling stage.
• Grandma, Aunt Pam, Dad and I went out to dinner on Dec. 28th.  I was sure labor was imminent and as evening approached I remember saying something like, "If we're going to go, we better hurry up and leave".  At the restaurant, my water broke....  it was pretty alarming and on the messy side (luckily we were toting a towel around in the car, so Dad went out and got it).  Think Dad asked whether he could order desert - can you imagine what my answer was?
• We went home, got the rest of my things together as I was mostly packed to go to the hospital, and Dad took a picture of me with my stomach out to HERE.  Dad drove us to Nesbitt Hospital (then the "baby" hospital), and I got settled for the night as absolutely Nothing else seemed to be happening.  He went home to get some sleep.
• Early in the morning @ 6 a.m., the hospital people decided I needed some help to start the delivery.  So I got a medication called pitocin to induce contractions.  Dad arrived about this time, and brought me flowers.  The nurse thought the flowers were just lovely, but to his disappointment I was in no mood for flowers as I was excited, anxious, and focused on having my first baby.  By this time, after 9 months, I could not wait to meet you.
• You arrived @ 11:30 am. weighing 7 lbs. 11 1/2 ozs., after a very difficult time.....  thankfully, Dr. Ferraro (who is still one of my doctors) was determined to get us through.  You were born "blue" as you hadn't gotten enough oxygen at the end of delivery.  The nurse cleaned you up a bit and put you under the baby heat lamp to stay warm.  Dad went over and held your hand, while you stared up at him.  After a bit, you were swaddled i.e, wrapped up nice-n-tight in a blanket, and I got to hold you for the first time.  I remember you looking at me with firm concentration as if to say "Do I know you?"

• Aunt Pam came over after church (at that time, she was music director at Central United Methodist in Wilkes-Barre), while we were still in the delivery room.  She was thrilled to hold you.
• After a bit, the nurse took you off to the newborn room while I rested.  Once you had started fusing because you were hungry, you were brought back to my room in a "newborn push-cart" complete with all kinds of supplies.  So then you got to experiment with eating - you were only semi-adept at nursing.  But you figured it out enough, and were happy to be cuddled.  Don't know if I ever told you this, but the tip of your right ear was folded down and I was focused on straightening it as much as possible.  Meanwhile, Dad and I had to figure out how to change your diaper.....  Later in the day, you had lots of company including Grandma and Grandnana.  There are quite a few pictures I can show you, including your newborn picture taken in the hospital - I carry it in my wallet.
• Dad went home to make phone calls to family and friends about our good news.  As you know, your first name was our favorite "boy" name (and historical too); your middle name is for Dad's great uncle.  The next day, we got a demonstration on how to give you a bath and how to clean out your nose with a nasal aspirator (I called it the "squiggy" ).  You didn't like either process.  You got more visitors, including Aunt Di, Aunt Julie, Meagan, and Nicky as well as Uncle George and Aunt Rebecca.  It became clear that you needed to eat @ every 2 hours - yikes!! 
• On Dec. 30th, we brought you home - New Year's Eve!  I remember bringing you all snug in your baby/car seat into Grandma's TV room.  We stayed for a bit, then spent your first night at our house.  Well, I was pretty tired - but incredibly happy too.  Then it was on to 1997!  You were a sweet, alert and very social baby.

So, early today you are spending time at Lake Jean with Aunt Julie & Mark (hope you get to fish, though perhaps not too long given winter temps.).  Then Robby and I will meet you to go bowling with Kyra and Lucy.  Should be lots o' fun! 

Remember, you are loved by all of us.  Am looking forward to seeing you in a few hours, and wish you a Wonderful, Happy Birthday!!!