[This is antedated; post written in February 2009]
On September 18th, we were blessed with a healthy baby boy.
We had been hoping and praying that Bradshaw would arrive before Dustinn needed to leave for Boston. Those prayers were answered! The next month still was chaotic but I was so grateful to have Dustinn by my side through out the progression of labor and when they told us the problems and suggested the dreaded C-word.
When I went into labor, my mom jumped on the first flight, so when Dustinn had to leave the day after my Mom stayed by my side.
Upon hospital discharge, we went to the family cabin to rest and recuperate before driving to California. These few days were probably the most emotionally poignant days of my life. I spent hours staring at him. "Such a perfect baby, so flawless, such a miracle" and then I shed many, many grateful tears.
But we had things to do and places to be and I could not remain in that heavenly bubble long. The drive from Provo to Los Angeles was miserable! If Bradshaw wasn't nursing he was crying. So we stopped a lot and tried many techniques to soothe him on the drive. My body was so physically responsive to him, that I felt like a voodoo doll being pierced with needles at each cry.
My mom was very patient and repeatedly reassured me that everything was okay and we would indeed make it to LA.
Finally we arrived. Our apartment consisted of dustbunnies and a huge pile of boxes in the middle of the floor. There was no furniture (including no bed) and no fridge.
My mom was a superhero; she made a dusty, dirty apartment fresh and clean. She unpacked boxes night and day, brought me delicious healthy meals prepared without the use of a fridge, and always seemed to anticipate my insane thirst the moment before it hit. Our apartment did not have air conditioning and we all seemed to be sweating constantly. She was my cheerleader through sleepless days and nights and trouble nursing. She took us to Bradshaw's first pediatrician appointment.
By the time Dustinn returned, all of our boxes were unpacked, the kitchen was stocked, our fridge was in place, the necessary nick-knacks had been acquired and best of all I was well-rested in high spirits and moderately confident about my new found role as a mother.
