Twas Four Nights Before Christmas... 2009

Twas four nights before Christmas, and daddy heard me say

It's time to go honey, our little girl's on her way

He helped me to the car and drove away with care,

Knowing our little girl would soon be here.

I got nice and settled in the hospital bed, 

counting all the contractions and kicks in my head

While daddy stood close holding my hand

Wondering what's next and where he should stand

When out in the hall we heard a loud clatter

And a nurse bustled in saying "Nothing's the matter

I just came by to check and see how you are

Has your water broken yet? You're dilated how far?"

She said we'd give it an hour and then we'd see

If I hadn't progressed, it was back home for me

I walked around a while and what happened to appear?

My water just broke, Riley's almost here!

With a wonderful nurse, so lively and sweet

I got myself prepared for our little one to meet

More rapid contractions began to come

Daddy tried to help, but it's seemed nothing could be done

"It hurts! It hurts! Rub my back! Now the shower!"

I crawled and walked and pleaded for hours.

Finally, giving in, I rang for the nurse

"Give me an epidural before it gets worse!"

Blessed relief came soon after and then

Daddy went to sleep and I just waited again

The nurse came in around 10 in the morning

And with a sad smile, she gave us a warning

If the baby didn't start to progress very soon

A c-section would be on the agenda for noon

Within the hour I began to feel some pain

And soon groans and moans could not be contained

I'd dilated to nine, it was time to go!

The nurse called the doctor to start the show

The pressure was intense but the doctor said wait

I had to push her a little while he went and ate.

10 minutes later the nurse called the doc

But he finished his lunch before punching the clock

By the time he got there, I was shouting "Now!"

He said "Go ahead then" and then he said, "Wow!"

Riley arrived immediately after

Amidst the cheers and the cries and the doctor's laughter

He couldn't believe I'd pushed her out so fast

Next time, he said, he'd eat his lunch last.

Riley snuggled up tight to me on my chest

And then turned her head and latched onto my breast

We were now a whole family, one two and three

What a very merry Christmas this turned out to be.