Years ago....

Back in 1976, Hannah Broughton Rogers was born in Rutland Hospital, Rutland, Vermont. We were living in Proctor at the time, just 25 minutes from the hospital! I remember so vividly when Andrew was born, but now I must really jog my memory bank to bring up details of this birth. I remember that starting in November, I was supposed to stay off my feet as much as possible, as I was starting to get puffy hands and feet. They never called it bed rest, but I needed to have Andrew and Dennis wait on me as much as possible. Of course, in those days, Dennis was really a foreigner in the kitchen... so we had lots of quick and easy meals. Andrew played with Jay, who lived down the street, so I never really worried about what he was doing, after all, he would be 5 that December, and was going to 1/2 day Kindergarten. So, my afternoons were free to rest... I wonder what else I did? Back to the birth day: I know that we went to the hospital about 11:30 PM, and were charged for that extra day, much to Dennis' chagrin. I tried to get the labor going all night, and finally early in the AM, they started a drip.... the baby seemed to be large enough for me to go into labor for real. Well, I would start labor, so they would stop the drip... then I would stop my labor. Well, this continued all morning, and finally by about 1PM, it was starting to really happen. The problem that arose was that there was football on TV, and the doctor was a big fan. He and Dennis would watch the plays while I was working on delivering this baby! Well, during the pregnancy, we had not taken the class for expectant parents, as Dennis had not planned to go into the delivery room. In that day, the only way to get into see the arrival of our second child, one had to take that class. Well, I guess Dennis had bonded with the doctor, for as the time for Hannah's arrival came, the doctor told Dennis to don a gown, and go with him! So he did! Dennis tells me that he was there... I had a spinal, and did what they told me! I remember vividly that I told the nurse I felt like I really had to go to the bathroom. She said, it must just be a "feeling", not to worry, just let it go! Well, I did! the entire bed was soaked! That's me!!!! Back to delivery... All I remember was the joy of Hannah Broughton arriving, and her being placed on my chest! That became a very comfortable place for her, as we started nursing in the hospital, and continued successfully for 18 months. "Mommypies" were always there!!! Well, that was the most wonderful and rewarding time that I ever spent! The bond between Hannah and I has been very strong over the years, although I do know that she and her Dad have a very special relationship... and that is wonderful! They show and know a bond of love and respect much different from our bond. The mother/daughter relationship is one of empathy, pleasure and pride. Getting ready for the birth of two babies at one time has strengthened and reinforced our bond, as so much of her preparation has been a shared effort, and I am so pleased to be able to be a part of all of this! Thank goodness I retired! All this is so much different than my life, but I was always away from where my mother was living when I was pregnant. She never really came to spend much time with us, but we always made the effort to get to Tunbridge to see and share our our time with our Moms and Dads. Giving them the time to be Grandparents was so important in the lives of our children, and for that I am very thankful. So, 32 years ago, I "birthed" a wonderful baby girl... a beautiful individual whom I love dearly, and am so thankful to be a part of her life.