That moment you have dreamed of , longed for, imagined or maybe could not imagine what it would be like to find out that you are going to have a baby!
For me, it was surreal. I was told that I would probably not have children so when I received the news, well it was nothing short of a miracle.
This was a time for my husband and I that we had longed for. We were married almost 8 years and were more than ready to have that beautiful family that we had dreamed about.
For the most part, my pregnancy was pretty normal until about the last 7 weeks before I was due to give birth. I started early labor and was admitted to the hospital. Back in 1987 they were using drugs to try and stop the labor because they did not want the baby's lung development compromised. It worked for about another three weeks and then it was time to deliver. The labor was long and intense but when they placed that precious baby girl in my arms it was worth every moment. Kaitlin Ann Ryan entered the world at 8:10 p.m. on September 16, 1987 at 6 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. The beautiful image of her daddy! Three days later we were on our way home to start our new journey together. The fun began as the journey started.
I was a stay at home mom and was blessed to be able to do so. As Kaitlin grew, we could tell right away that she had lots of energy and could be very strong willed to say the least. She was quite the spitfire and we never did get much rest!
Her love and passion for books started at a very early age. She truly would dream about some of the adventures she would read in the stories and her imagination was quite real. To the point where her fantasy and reality totally would collide. No matter what disney princess she would watch at that moment she was transformed. I was always at the sewing machine making her the next princess costume and I loved every moment of it! I was so thankful to be a part of this fun part of her childhood. A child's imagination is a precious thing.
It was the first time we introduced her to the "Wizard of Oz" that everything came to a sudden stop. She was four years old, and it was this character that had such a tremendous effect on her in every aspect of her life. First we needed the dress, and the basket and of course Toto. She had to somehow surrender to the fact that she was a blonde and Dorothy was brunette. Nothing struck her fancy like the "ruby slippers". I tried buying the red sparkle shoes at Kids R Us but they just did not cut it. My mom and I put our heads together and came up with a way to make the real slippers for Kaitlin.
We started out with dyable little shoes and dyed them red. From the fabric store I was able to buy strands of red sequins. Using a good fabric glue, I started the process of covering every inch of the shoes with sequence. The final step was a beautiful sequence bow to add to the shoe and all of the sudden "Magic" happened. Her eyes lit up when she saw them and literally wore them every waking moment. I even would have to take them off of her when she would fall asleep. It was such a magical time in Kaitlin's life for sure and we often now think back to those days filled with wide eyed wonder and thank God everyday for these special memories.
Soon her little slippers wore out and her feet grew. By this time we were able to make another pair but this time it had a little heel on it which delighted her very much!
As she grew up the shoes remained on the shelf and I still have them there today. I knew that one day when it was time for her wedding, that I would want to make a final pair of "ruby slippers" for her wedding day. Well the time came about four months ago that I started making them. It was a beautiful time and so very special to me. I was hoping that they would mean that much to her.
Her wedding day was here at last, and I wrapped them up in a beautiful silver bag and gave them to her the morning of her wedding. I think she sort of knew they were in there but to see her face when she opened them up was all I needed. We cried a little and then she put them on. I had so many thoughts going through my mind at that moment I could have frozen time right there.
I asked her if she would wear her "ruby slippers" as she danced with her father to their favorite song "My Girl" by the Temptations. She very happily agreed.
I knew that Andrew was truly her Prince Charming that finally came along and swept her off her feet! Little girls that dream about fairy tales, well they really do happen.
29 years......... how do we let go through the years..........one day at a time. The first day of preschool when you drop them off. Wow if that isn't hard..............2 hours and you can barely wait to return to get them. The school bus pulls up to your driveway and you wonder if your really going to let her get on that bus...................Letting go one day at a time.............First after school play date....... First sleepover............First school dance............. are we getting it now? It is such a journey that we are on. We receive them as little babies so we can cherish each moment as they grow up and change and discover the world and who they are. We encourage, we protect, we love them even when they are very unlovable and we support them in all things good!
I have now seen my daughter walk into the arms of her Prince. My mother's heart is full and I know my job is done.
Now onto the next chapter.................................
