Today (in Australia) is our middle "baby's" birthday. Brianna turns 22 today. How fast the time has flown. I so clearly remember the day Brianna was born.
It was not an easy pregnancy. At about 7 months we had a routine ultrasound performed both to check gestational age but also because we wanted to find out what we were having! What normally would have been quite routine began a chain of events that ultimately ended up in an early delivery for Brianna.
As the ultrasound technician scanned my belly I watched intently. (I have always been fascinated by medical things.) Being able to "see" this little person that was living my my stomach was such a cool thing. Everything was there... fingers, toes, a little nose and yes, those chubby, chubby cheeks were already there. Her little heart was beating and... as the technician pointed out, "There's the upside-down McDonald's sign." (Indicating that indeed we were having another little girl.) But, as the tech measured head size, femur length etc. she noted that something didn't look quite right. Unable to disclose what she was seeing she went to get the midwife.
What they thought they were seeing was a breakdown in the placenta and a lack of acceptable growth of this little person. The feeling that comes over you when you hear that there may be something very wrong with your baby and their development is undescribable.
Fear washed over me. We had already lost a baby. I didn't know if I could endure the loss of another.
What the Drs. decided was that I was burning more calories than I was taking in. (I wonder if running a 12 child daycare out of my home had anything to do with that??) Their prescription was for me to drink a very high protein drink made up of protein powder, ice cream, and raw eggs AFTER I was in bed for the evening. Great, who doesn't like a milkshake delivered to them in bed after a long day?
WRONG.... What that prescription brought on was NOT fun. Horrible leg cramps, serious kidney infections (from an overload of protein) and a whole host of other issues continued for many weeks. After ending up in the hospital more than once and passing out in the middle of the kitchen floor at 6am in the morning they finally decided that enough was enough. Brianna would be better off "out" than "in". In the end, Brianna was just fine. Which goes to prove that even with all of the advancements in medical technology they can sometimes get it wrong! Either that or God just overrules!
You know, as I think back to those days they seem like such a distant memory but at the same time like they were yesterday. Even with all of the physical and emotional stress that accompanied Brianna's arrival I would not for even one second change any of it. From the moment she was born she has been such a joy. Oh, don't get me wrong... we had the typical "I don't think she's going to live to see...." days! A very stubborn nature (She once went two days without looking at or speaking to her "Grandpy" because he spanked her!) and the tenacity of a little pit bull puppy often landed her in a fair amount of trouble. However, along with those traits came a little girl who has a penchant for finding fun every where she went. (And still does!)
I've often said Brianna came out singing. She has always loved to make music and has made some of her most hated tasks, whether chores, schoolwork and even pain more bearable by singing her way through them.
This is the very first time in her life that Brianna hasn't been at home to celebrate her birthday. It makes me a bit sad because I'm quite aware that it will likely be the beginning of many that she will not share "at home". Yet another reminder that life moves on.
To say that it is strange having grown adult children is an understatement. We work hard to raise healthy, happy, responsible adults and before we know it... they are gone. Adults. Out in the world making their own way. It's odd isn't it, how fast that happens?
Happy Birthday Brianna! You are loved more than the sun, moon and stars!