sans souci: Flannery Turns 9!

I went into pre-term labor with Flannery 29 weeks into the pregnancy. I was working a stressful job as a bank manager. I had some cramping off and on for a few days and finally called the doctor. They dismissed it as Braxton-Hicks, as did I. I didn't know what contractions felt like since she was my first baby. I went to bed one night with a backache and tossed and turned all night. I thought I was just nervous because I was firing someone the next day. I got up the next morning, went to work, fired my assistant manager, then went to see my doctor. They promptly admitted me to the hospital because I had already dilated a centimeter. Six weeks of bed rest, horrid drugs, and bad t.v. followed. After six weeks, nearing the 36 week mark, I stopped the drugs and returned to work, still having contractions. One evening, about a week later, I was at a restaurant near my home for a bank employee dinner. My water broke...in the chair...at the restaurant...I was mortified. This was before cell phones were in everyone's purse, so I didn't call Andy until I got home. He hurried home from work to find me in the shower shaving my legs. In labor, shaving my legs. What was I thinking? So vain. Anyway, a long night in the hospital followed. Flannery finally made her debut around 5:30 a.m. on the 27th. I still remember the look on Andy's face as he held her. For such a reluctant father-to-be, he was sure smitten with her without any hesitation. He disappeared with her down the hall taking her to the nursery. I was left behind in the bed, puking, but in awe of the miracle that had just taken place. Flannery, you changed us forever.

Here are some pics of this year's birthday celebration. It was low key as the babies were in the throes of a some viral infection. We surprised Flannery with a pair of in-line skates. She has been rolling around the house practicing ever since.

Flannery Evelyn Moore
Flannery ~ for Mary Flannery O'Connor
Evelyn ~ Evelyn Geraldine Page (great grandmother)

Whenever someone in our house has a birthday, they get a "special day". On their special day they get to choose what we do. Flannery wanted to make breakfast by herself for all of us as part of her special day. The pancakes were delicious!