Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Happy Birthday, Heidi!


For the past 5+ years, my kids have been having kids. This is a lovely time in my life - watching them parenting and reaping the rewards of being a grand-parent. But a mother never forgets when she had a baby. It was 32 years ago this morning. The weather had been extremely hot: 101 degrees! Thankfully, we had central air conditioning in the parsonage in which we were living. Vacation Bible School was in progress out in our yard - in tents. This was a new idea for our church and seemed to go over well. I lucked out of not having to teach that year since I was too uncomfortable.

I woke in the morning with a slight back ache. My baby wasn't due for another three weeks. This is probably just the position of the baby right now, I thought. I passed it off. But soon the ache became stronger and I knew I was going to be delivering that day. Our sweet neighbors just across the road had 3 wonderful daughters that had become our baby sitters. I phoned them and told them my situation. 2 of the girls came over to stay with Hans and Peder, and Steve and I left for the hospital. Later that morning, around 9:45, Heidi ReneƩ was born. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 17 inches long. Since I had two boys already, I hadn't gotten my hopes up for having a girl and had the name "Nels" picked out had she been a boy. I was so surprised when the doctor said, "It's a girl!" I remembered asking, "Are you sure?"

Once home and able to go shopping, the first thing I bought Heidi was a little cloth Fisher Price doll named "Lollie." I still have it.

Happy Birthday, Heidi. I have loved you since I laid eyes on you!

3 comments:

MamaD4 said...

Happy Birthday Heidi, we hope you had a lovely day!

Donna, your story was very sweet. I am glad that we will each have a girl in the midst of the boys!

Hans said...

Mom,

You forgot to mention that we were at Dave and Donna's the night before Heidi was born. I remember how hot it was that day.

I must say that it was disorienting waking up across the street at Eich's (sp?) house and wondering where everyone was. And then there was Heidi. Happy Birthday, sis!

Heidi said...

Thanks Mom!