Happy Birthday, Kendra Michele

It was about 3:25am on Monday, November 11, 1991. I sat straight up in bed, where I had moments before been soundly asleep. I gasped, said “oh no!” and the rush of amniotic fluid burst forth. It was the most disgusting sensation I’d ever experienced in my life!

It was only the morning after my due date and I wasn’t expecting to have my water break. I had only been asleep for a few hours and now I was wide awake with a flood of emotions rushing through me. We had prepared for this. I had a bag packed and ready. I had the doctor’s number. I had my birthing team chosen. Now that it was time, I felt very ill-prepared.

I called my obstetrician and told her what happened. She clarified, making sure that I didn’t simply wet the bed (I can’t imagine how someone mixes THAT up!) and told me to head over to the hospital.

I called Jerry & Tonya’s house to find Susan. I was pretty sure she would take me to the hospital. In a now humorous turn of events, a sleepy Tonya told me that Susan had told then she was at my house for the night. After I begged them not to be mad at her and explained why I was looking for her, they told me that if I couldn’t find her, they would come take me to the hospital. (They’re so sweet!)

I had a pretty good guess as to where Susan was, so I called over there. Pat answered the phone. It’s funny how people start out pissed off when the phone rings at almost 4:00am but how quickly their tune changes when you tell them your water broke and the baby is on the way. He went and got Susan for me who excitedly told me she would be right over. That’s probably the fastest she’s driven in her life, because it wasn’t long at all and she was in the driveway.

I made my other calls to my birthing support staff. Tabitha and Michele came to the hospital right away.

It all started out pretty slow. I had many visitors and my support staff and I talked and joked and had a good time. The contractions were annoying and I was hungry and tired and after several hours and increasing intensity, a nurse came in to give me something “to take the edge off.” I asked what that meant exactly, and she told me that I’d see. It went into my IV and within a couple of minutes, the clock on the wall got all swimmy-looking and I understood what the edge was. I was so grateful!

After about 10 hours, things got pretty intense. I wasn’t dilating and the baby was pressing on my cervix. It was the most excruciating pain I’d ever experienced. Come to think of it, I don’t think anything since has come close to that level of pain.

I had an agreement with my doctor that unless I or the baby was in danger, that I would not undergo a C-section. The doctor remained true to my initial request. No matter how much I begged and cried and whimpered, she did not give in and send me back for the much-requested C-section. I had even stubbornly told her before all this happened that I didn’t even want an epidural. What did I know? I was only 16!

I did, however, agree to IV medications and I am ever-so-thankful for those!

I walked around the hospital, trying to entice my body into working with me. I complained with each step about how gross it was that fluid kept coming from my body. (How much fluid is in there for crying out loud?!?)

Friends came and went. During a calm, drugged phase, Sabrina came to check on me and see how I was doing. I told her I was peachy. Obviously, I was stoned.

Later in the day, I vaguely recall Shawn coming in at check on me and I begged him to kill me. He left right away.

It seemed like forever, when in reality it was about 15 hours, before my body cooperated and agreed to allow the baby to escape. After an additional hour or so, my baby arrived! At 8:13pm on November 11, 1991, Kendra Michele graced the world with her presence. With her full head of dark hair and her nearly black eyes, she was a healthy, round, pink, squalling ball of healthy 8lbs 2oz and 20 inches long with apgars of 9 and 9.

Shortly after your arrival, after the doctors were gone and the room was cleaned up, they allowed visitors to return. I was exhausted and groggy when Ken and Matt came to see me. I was oblivious to the fact that they were there when the nurse decided it was time to try to feed the baby. She pulled out my breast and attached your eager little mouth. Ken and Matt were so shocked! All they could think to do was turn around and admire the lovely wallpaper. Poor guys.

During our labor and delivery stay, the following people (as recorded in your baby book) came to see us:

Michele Christin (Birthing Team) - Tabitha Dowty (Birthing Team) - Susan Cox (Birthing Team and alternate Godparent) - Ken Nott (Godfather and later in life to become step-father) - Ann Rogers (Godmother) - Kenny Christin - Dee Nott (to later become Granny Dee) - Becky Blakely - Terry Smith - Heidi Marxer (Auntie) - Steve Marxer (Grandpa) - Cathy Marxer (Grandma) - Rubble Rob
Brian Merril – Wanda – Tim - Kevin Forsythe – Cathy – Speedy - Mike Abbot - Shawn Kingman - Stephanie Wynia - Bill Lenex - Matt Trussell - Cheryl Lenex - Amy Bryer - Kari Brown - Geneva Melton - Maria Cooper - Ali & Samantha - Glen Williams - Sabrina and Jason - Sean Dooer – Renee – Carrie - Renee and Carrie’s mom

It is obvious that you were well-received and welcomed into the world.

You were my perfect little angel. I couldn’t imagine my world without you.

Now here we are, 20 years later. You are a woman grown, out in the world. You are independent and stubborn and your own person.

Please know that despite your years, your independence and your stubbornness, you are still my precious baby girl and I love you.

Happy 20th Birthday, Kendra Michele.

I love you.