Maquel Lyn

Wow - how fast time flies. 21 years ago today, at 4:00 pm I went to the doctor for my checkup. I was exactly 40 weeks pregnant - due that very day. The doctor checked me and I was dialated to a four already. He asked me if I was having any contractions and I told him no. This was my first pregnancy, but I was sure that I would feel contractions.

Well, back in 1992, the Birthing Center was connected to the clinic. Dr. Jones took me over to the Birthing Center and had a nurse hook me up to a monitor. Sure enough, every 3-5 minutes I was having a contraction. They monitored me for about 30 minutes and the contractions were coming like clockwork. The doctor and nurse just looked at me and said, "You don't feel that" whenever I had a contraction. I was unphased and just said, "No."

Well the doctor admitted me right then and there and broke my water. For the next four hours, I would look at the monitor and say, "Look. I'm having a contraction." I honestly couldn't feel a thing until around 8:00 pm (believe me, my boys made up for this!). Then the pain started. Having a baby at the Birthing Center in Blanding also meant no drugs. It was all natural, with a little something to take the edge off.

Here are a couple of things I remember vividly from that day.

1. The nurse who gave me my IV didn't hook it up right. She left the room before she finished or something and my mom ran to get her when she noticed blood coming out of the IV. There was a big pool all over the floor. I remember how white my mom's face was and how grateful I was that she was observant. She also went to every doctor's appointment with me.
2. March 12, 1992 was a Thursday. How do I remember that? I remember because my dad kept saying, "You need to hurry and have this baby. You don't want to have it tomorrow on Friday the 13th!" And he was right. I didn't.
3. My sister Kristy rushing off to find Kevin so he would be there in time to see his daughter born. She helped me so much when the pain started. We were both in the same birthing class.
4. My sister Sheri got engaged the same night in Orem and she came down that weekend to see my cute little baby.
5. My family and loved ones gathered around me.

At 11:15 pm the cutest baby girl in the whole world - my whole world, anyway - was born. When they laid her in my arms for the first time, I truly understood what unconditional love was all about. I knew right then and there that I would move heaven and earth for this baby and I just hoped that I would be a good enough mother to her.

Maquel, you have brought so much joy and happiness into my life. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with you and that you picked me to be your mother. What an honor it is! I love you so much. Happy, Birthday!!!