Raegan Kathleen Riego
9-9-09.
Rae girl, Rae K, Raegan Kate, Rae Kate…this is your story.
Little Raegan, we decided to try to have our second baby when your older brother was a mere 8 months old (side-note, you are 8 months now, and we will not be trying for another baby right yet). We knew we wanted you and your brother to be 2 grades apart, and because we were blessed with an “easy” first baby, we thought that we should start as soon as we could. Well, wouldn’t you know that you really wanted to be here. We found out we were pregnant in January of 2009, much to our surprise,e after only having to try for one month. Dylan delivered the news to your dad in the form of a picture of him with a sign saying, “I’m going to be a big brother!”
My pregnancy with you was different from my pregnancy with Dylan. My skin was different, I felt sick, my hair was dry, etc. Because of these differences, I thought from the beginning that you were a girl, but didn’t want to let myself get overly excited.
The day we found out you were a girl, your dad and I both cried tears of joy.
There were many times throughout my pregnancy that I thought that you were going to come early. I felt contractions early on, and actually called the doctor a few times to make sure everything was ok. Dr. Templeton decided at one of my appointments that we should schedule your C-section a week early just in case. She came in the room and said- ok, that will be September 8th, but if you like, we could try for September 9th. It took me a second, but then I got it- your birthday would be 9-9-09! I thought it was a neat coincidence, so we “decided” that would be your birthday unless you came early!
Mimi and Pop-Pop came in a few days early, and spent some time with us before you came. The day before we went to the hospital, we went to see Dr. T, and she told me to be prepared. I was a little more dialated, and was having a few sporadic contractions. However, you had been giving me “pains” for what seemed like forever- so when I started to feel them again that night, the night before your “planned” birthday, I didn’t make a big deal. I mentioned them to Mimi, mentioned them to Daddy, but ate a wonderful dinner out on the deck. We went to our room early, so that we could prepare for the next day. At that point, I secretly knew you were coming (well, 90% sure). The night before, your dad and I stayed up until 3:30 in the morning watching Cocktail on VH1. Gotta love that. We were just so excited for you to come. So, your dad was tired and I encouraged him to sleep. I slept for about two hours, and then moved to the chair to start timing the contractions. I got in the shower, took my time getting ready, and then ever so calmly called the doctor. I look back on that secret time, when only you and I knew you were coming, with huge smiles on my face. I also love knowing that whether we planned it or not, you wanted your birthday to be 9-9-09 .
Dr. Templeton told me to come in as soon as possible, and I finally woke up your dad. Contractions really hurt by then, and I squeezed your dad’s hand tightly all the way to the hospital. Your dad pressed the button to enter the delivery wing, and the nurse asked if she could help us. Your dad replied, “Umm.. we’re having a baby?”
Everything happened so quickly. We got settled, did all of the preliminary tests, and before I knew it, we were on our way. I actually walked to the delivery room this time, stopping every few steps when a contraction came. You were having a race with another baby in the wing, so the doctor gave me the epidural, and actually told me to sleep for a little bit until the other baby was delivered.
I loved watching your daddy walk in the room in his scrubs. I loved hearing you cry for the first time. I loved watching your daddy take pictures while all of the doctors did their work on you. And I loved holding and kissing you and feeling the instant connection that only a mommy and a daughter know.
Love you baby rae.
