Calm

     My husband's cousin's wife is having a baby today.  It's funny because I was talking to the grandmother of said baby and the soon-to-be aunt of said baby this morning and the report was water broken and contractions were getting stronger.  Needless to say they were on their way to meet the new wee one.  And it got me thinking...(scary I know)...
     This is the first kid for my husband's cousin's wife and I'm sure she will soon...if not already...experience the drama that is childbirth and then the calm (that I hope everyone can experience) that comes after.  The calm is relative you see, but for most the intense drama is over and the recovery is underway.  The doctors and nurses come less frequently and the baby is in your arms sleeping.  Everything kind of slows down and there is nothing to do but look at that angel.  I immediately am transported back to the birthdays of each of my own kids.  Of course, the first one is always intense and filled with unknowns.  My first was unexpected as she arrived early, but after the initial scare and the declaration that she was fine...the calm set in.  It was amazing and life-altering.  I was in a bit of pain, but I hardly noticed it because my daughter, MY daughter, had arrived and was now a full-fledged member OF. THE. WORLD!  We marveled at our luck to have participated in such an event.
     With the second we drove in a deluge to the hospital around midnight.  We got there in plenty of time to turn on ESPN (for me to focus on), and let the drama unfold.  However, soon enough...the calm.  An even greater sense of peace that comes with the been-there-done-that feeling.  The "we can do this" because you know you can and have.  So, our boy was here and we could look at him and marvel at the miracle in our arms.
     The third...there was the usual drama of the delivery.  ESPN, grunts, groans (screaming is not my style), squinching my eyes, pushing my arms against the bedrails, restless legs.  A birthday present in the grandest form for my husband.  A boy on his birthday.  And then yes, the calm of sitting with the sweetest little arrival.  It was a quiet time with just mommy, daddy, and baby.
     The fourth...I must say, we took in good stride.  I sent emails between contractions, took an uneventful ride to the hospital, and arrived in plenty of time to turn on ESPN, have a chat or two with the doctor we know so well.  The quick and busy delivery...and then it was over...a baby girl to complete our family.  The difference this time is that it is so calm because we are away from our other 3 children.  Our nurse would come in and see us chilled out in the room and laugh.  She said we were the calmest couple she'd ever seen.  She called us veterans for sure and reminded us that though we never seemed to want anything...just let her know if we did.  We did ask for drinks.  Funny we didn't get those.  Laughing, we told her this was as close to a vacation getaway we'd had away from 3 kids!  Usually we're rootin' tootin' ready to get outta Dodge after one day in the hospital.  This last baby...not so much...I was hopin' we could stay for a couple of extra days!  Housekeepers, a butler in form of a nurse, food brought in on a tray, no Disney Channel...VA-CAY!
Anywho, I hope that my dear husband's cousin's wife can experience some calm after the craziness that is having a baby.  Although I'm guessing, since it's her first, that calm won't really come until after the birth of their next baby!