The Little Big turns 3.

Dear Caroline,

I can't believe that it has been three years. THREE! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Have I ever told you about the day you were born? I haven't? Well here you go...

You were not due until the 28th. Dr. Lies (pronounced Lees) was going on vacation that week and I was hell bent and determined that I would have you before he left. I wanted him to deliver.

The 21st came. I had a doctors appointment. I was 39 weeks, hot, and tired. My blood pressure was getting high, I was swelling and I had a little protein in my urine. Dr. Lies told me to go home and rest. I did. I was upset that you weren't coming that weekend. Then the phone rang. Dr. Lies told me to come to the hospital because he wanted to watch my blood pressure.

I started to get nervous. What if I couldn't do it? What if it hurt really bad? What if... I just wanted to throw up. I kept telling myself, "You are just going so that he can keep an eye on your blood pressure." I will never forget walking through those labor and delivery doors. I saw Dr. Lies and he said, "Are you ready to have this baby?" "TODAY?" I asked. "Yep. Today." {GULP}

They hooked me up to pitocin. At that time, it was the worst medicine I had ever experienced in my life. I would have a contraction and another one would start before I could even catch my breath. It was awful.

You, my sweet girl, are a drug baby. I will not lie. I was selfish and wanted any kind of pain medicine they would give me. Dr. Lies does his own epidurals. I was worried before going into labor that I would die or be paralyzed because of the epidural. During the actual labor though, I could have cut my own arm off and eaten it as a snack and been fine. Epidural= easy. Epidural= wonderful. I still remember that cold going down my back that was followed by the greatest relief of my life. After he jacked me up, I was on the phone calling the waiting room. I wanted to check on everyone.

Dr. Lies came in to check on me. "Oh, I think this baby will be here some time after midnight." What? Midnight?! I think not! A short time later, I knew it was time to push you out. **FYI: Answers to the earlier questions: (1)Yes, I can give birth. You have to. I wanted to suck you right back up but I knew if I did, I would just have to push all over again. (2)Yes, it hurts. I will not lie. It hurts like... well I won't go there.** Anyway, someone went to wake Dr. Lies up. 52 minutes of pushing and out you popped. You were 8 lbs. 3 oz. and absolutely beautiful. The best part? It was Dr. Lies' birthday! 8 minutes before midnight. You did it!

You would be proud of Mama. I didn't say ugly words and I didn't scream. I did get angry at KK for touching me. I did get angry at Jay for talking while I was having a contraction. He was explaining to everyone that he knew how to read the graph machine that told when I was having a contraction. Little did he know that he was about 5.3 seconds late. It struck a nerve. I did yell at Dad because somehow he got at the foot of the bed while I was pushing. We had discussed it earlier and decided that it was best for him to stay at the head of the bed until the labor and delivery was over. Anyway, he got back to the head of the bed and all was well.

Daddy cut your umbilical cord. Did you know he almost cut the wrong area? He did. Instead of cutting between the two clamps, he almost cut on the outside of them. Dr. Lies stopped him and helped a scared Daddy out.

You have had him wrapped around your little finger since 11:52 p.m. on July 21, 2006. You are his "Little Big." You are our princess. You are perfect and beautiful. You definitely march to the beat of your own drum. You are loud and sweet. You are funny and have little coordination. You love steak, tacos, and spaghetti. You eat tomatoes like they are apples. You have beautiful hair (which I hope lasts forever because you have my hair and Daddy's working against you). Your eyes were blue until you turned two. Now, they are a beautiful green like Jay's and mine. You have my temper and mouth. Good luck with that.

We wouldn't trade you for anything in this world, Carolina. Happy 3rd Birthday! I wish all of the happiness in the world for you. Stay sweet. Stay beautiful. Stay strong. Walk with your head high no matter what. Always march to the beat of your own drum... even if that beat is "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas.

Know that I would go through it all again. The labor and delivery. Anytime. Anywhere. For any reason... well, as long as another epidural is involved!

I love you always and forever,
Mommy

{Be sure to turn your volume up.}