Dear Violet,
Today you turned 2 years old, and my heart has never been this full!
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you. I had hurt my back, and had to go see a doctor for the pain. X-rays were needed, so the doctor simply asked, "There's no way, you could be pregnant, right?" I immediately said "Nope. No baby here!" The x-rays were taken, powerful pain killers were prescribed, and I could not wait to alleviate the pain!
I noticed on the side of the bottle a warning about taking the pills if you could be pregnant. Your mommy is a bit of a worry wart, so even though I thought that there was NO POSSIBLE WAY I was pregnant, I had your daddy go to the drug store and pick up a pregnancy test.
Did you know, Violet, that on that very day, your daddy had been installing a new toilet in our only bathroom? So guess where your mommy took the pregnancy test? That's right, squatting in the backyard (Note to any potential future buyers of our Springfield home: everything is sanitary, I PROMISE!)! Your daddy was with me, keeping a look out for neighbors, when I laughed and said, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if I was pregnant! Ha ha ha.......... Nathan, um.... look at the stick."
It was positive.
"Take another test!" insisted your father! And so we did. And so it was positive. And so our lives began to change for the better.
You, little Violet, have taught me how to love more than I ever knew my heart could hold. You, Violet, have reminded me of the joy of sitting on the floor playing with toys, and that sometimes, all we need is each other to get along. I love your runny nose kisses. The way you hold your daddy's and my hand when we walk into daycare every morning. I love how much you love your grandparents. I adore how all of your stuffed animals, whether it be "Cow" or "Bunny" are all called "Puppies" when you snuggle with them at night.
On election night, 2008, I began to feel the intense back labor pains, and knew that at any time, you would be born. As we watched the election results on the television, I laid on a mattress on the floor of the living room, thinking of you. As the contractions grew to be 3 minutes apart, we drove to the hospital. I knew for sure that the next time I came home, you would be in my arms. Until triage asked if I lived near by, because it was a busy night, and they thought that it would be a while until you were born. They told me to get some sleep. The nerve of those people! Had they ever taken a nap during back labor?
At 10 A.M. the next morning, Nathan and I drove to my regularly scheduled Dr. appointment. The contractions had not let up through the night, and I was in agony! Oh, Violet, you should have seen me in the waiting room, moaning in pain, leaning against the wall as I felt every contraction. The other pregnant women in the waiting room were most likely horrified! Soon you would come.
When the doctor finally saw me, he said that it was very rare for a woman to give birth on her due date (Which was November 5th). Then he examined me and said "Congratulations, kids! You are having a baby today!
I will spare you the details of epidurals, nausea, relatives who could not understand that I needed to be alone, etc. and tell you that just before midnight on November 5th, you were born. You had dark hair and eyes, looked just like your father, and where very focused on the world around you.
My little girl. You were and are perfect. God surely knew that your daddy and I needed you in our lives. You are the funniest, friendliest, most caring girl I know.
Thank you, Violet. You are my best gal pal.
- Your Mommy and Daddy
