Happy 31st Birthday Caitlin!

After 31 years, I finally convinced my own Mom to write my birth story. Don’t worry, it’s G rated.

Happy 31^st birthday Caitlin Ann Mary – Today I, Deborah Reynolds, am sharing Caitlin’s Birth Story.

I still remember the day I went into labor with you. It was a beautiful fall day in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I had been driving around with your two grandmothers in the back seat of my Subaru. They had come from Connecticut a week earlier to await your arrival.

I spent that week with them watching my every move, waiting for me to display labor pains. Knowing they would send me off to the hospital the moment I had a contraction, I said nothing to them as we drove around shopping and my labor kicked into gear.

When I could hide the pain no more, I told them we had to go home. Grandma Lewis was, of course, in tears, stating she couldn’t bare my pain. Grandma Mary insisted she should drive, even though it was a manual transmission and she didn’t know how to work the gears. I told them both, “Stop. I will get us home safely. Be quiet until I get there!” (Lord I was mean).

Once back at the house, we called your Dad to come home from class at the University of Michigan. While waiting for your Dad to come home, the Grandmas were like two nervous hens. At one point, they actually wanted to call an ambulance.

Finally, at 3:30pm, your Dad arrived at the house and off we went to St Joseph Hospital. One would think your Dad should be a nervous wreck and completely consumed with his wife in labor. However, just as your Dad would, he found a nurse upon arrival to chat with about his classes. While I was trying to push, he and my Dr. looked out the window to discuss the clouds. Do you see a pattern here?

During the next four hours, I had to remind him to focus, gave him one lecture after another, and even pulled him into the shower (which they did at this birthing center). At 7:17pm, I gave birth to the most beautiful little fair-haired (almost bald) porcelain doll baby. When they told me it was a girl, I didn’t’ believe them. I was so sure you were a boy. Dad says I thanked everyone, including the cleaning people, after I gave birth. He likened it to when someone wins an Academy Award.

I am sure every woman remembers the day they give birth. It is probably one of the most memorable days of their lives. Today, 31 years later, I have a daughter who I cherish. A young woman who I am so proud of. You have given me years of laughter, tears, joy and now two granddaughters. I would never change the outcome of that day for anything.