Happy Birthday!

This is the same thing that I posted on Facebook, but there a number of you who are exclusive blog buddies. Morgan turned 16 today and got her driver's license. She immediately went off to get Rozzie at a friend's and take her to an appointment. Now she is off to get Travis' credit card he dropped at a gas station. Later on, it is the Clay County Fair - where redneck reigns. (Remember, Roz, just because they are giving away the goldfish for free, you don't have to take one.)

This note was written on May 11, 1993. It is in Morgan's journal that I've kept about her. On April 6th, after a visit to my doctor, the nurse called me at work and told me the doctor wanted the baby out ASAP. Having the baby 2 weeks early was fine by me. So Travis and I got up early on April 8th (we couldn't sleep anyway) and went to St. Joseph's (Denver, CO). My nurse was Lorissa. She said I was actually already in early labor, having contractions every 5 minutes. That was news to me- I couldn't feel anything. The perinatologist who was going to deliver you was Dr. Starke. He had them move me to a birthing room where at about 8:15, Dr. Barta broke my water. That was weird. Then I started cramping in my stomach. About 10 minutes later they gave me pitocin to start the contractions. I went into hard labor pretty fast. That hurt!! Contractions are unlike anything I've ever felt. Travis was right at my side the entire time. In between the contractions, I'd just think about the next one coming up and how I wish it would stop. After about an hour, I had already dilated to 4.5. Travis kept me cool with a washcloth. He held my hand and gave lots of encouragement and support. Because of my blood disorder (myelodisplastic syndrome), I couldn't have an epidural so they gave me Demerol which only helped in between contractions. I wish that I hadn't gotten the Demerol because I don't remember much about your birth. At one point, Travis said I could say anything mean to him that I wanted to and he wouldn't be mad. I just wanted him to spit out his gum because it stunk. Lorissa helped me focus and breathe so that I'd stay in control. THen just before noon, Dr. Barta came in to measure me and I was at 9cm. TIME TO PUSH!!! I was so shocked that it was already time. Dr. Starke said he wanted you born by 5 pm that night and here it was only noon and you were almost here! The nurses pulled my bed apart....Delivery didn't hurt as much. It was tiring, but not so painful. I remember thinking, "This is the strangest thing I've ever done." (Morgan was born at 12:10 pm) The next thing I knew, I heard you cry and they put you on my tummy. I couldn't believe it! You were gorgeous! Travis cut the cord and then you were whisked away to get cleaned up. Travis got to spend lots of time with you, but I was being monitored pretty closely. My blood pressure was 70/30 and I wasn't really alert. I knew they had taken you to the nursery for tests and was sad because I didn't get to see you very much. They brought me my lunch, I ate 3 bites and threw up all over the floor and bed. Then Lorissa came to get me up to go potty and I passed out. I woke up with a bunch of nurses yelling at me, laying in a pool of blood. At that moment, Travis came back with Rick and Holly Alden. I was a great sight to see!!! After a few hours, I was moved to the antepartum ward with all the high risk pregnancies as my doctor's patients were all on that floor. My hematocrit was 19 and the doc's were pretty nervous. We had lots of visitors the next few days (I worked at a hospital across the street from where I had Morg, so everyone came over during lunch.) We were all very relieved that this ordeal was over and our little Morgan was perfect.

On the 8th in the late afternoon, we were finally got to have Morgan to ourselves. She had to go to the nursery at night because I was on a different unit. But she was brought to me when she needed to be fed.

On Friday, the 9th, I got a blood transfusion and had an allergic reaction to it while Holly Alden was visiting. On that day, I got to have you with me all day!! We had lots of visitors, lots of doctors were in and out checking on us and giving us instructions. Travis was enthralled with you. I was shocked at at how much he liked you -- I knew he would but he was acting crazy!!

I went home on Saturday, the 10th. I was scared. I didn't know what to do with you. Every time I thought about my new little miracle, I cried. Travis stayed home with me that first week, thank heavens. I"m still in school so I had to go back to class and Travis came along to take care of you (and took you to the Rockies first ever home opener). The 2nd week, I took you to school with me. The last 3 weeks, you went to a friend's house. I graduate tomorrow!!

March 10, 1995: Mr. Rogers had butterflies on sticks on his show which you love --- at Grandma Olsen's, you got the flyswatter out and called it 'butterfly." Walked into Grandma's sewing room and said, "sewing."

June 5, 1995: We were on our way home from California and were in line to get off the plane --- "Make 'em scoot, Mom."

July 2, 1995:
Grandma O: What color is it?
Morgan: Green
Mom: No, it's pink.
Grandma: It's HOT pink.
Morgan: It's COLD pink.

January 1996: Grandma and Grandpa Smith were here for Christmas in our new house. One day you caught Grandpa snoring and you had never heard that before. You ran over to him, looked at him strangely and then you blew on him! You loved the show "Frosty the Snowman" and have taken to calling your dad, Frosty. (This continued for a year.)