My Daughter

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I know this blog is supposed to be about balloons but as it's me that writes it - I guess it's also a bit about what makes me, me. Having witnessed the birth of my daughter Minnie I feel compelled to write about it.

After being messed around by the hospital for 5 days we elected for a voluntary c section.

Gill was awake for the procedure. A sort of curtain lay across her shoulders so we couldn't see what was happening below (and we didn't want to).

We played a silly word game for a few minutes - this kept our minds away from negative thoughts and also let each other know that we were OK - we had to think and say our answers, I could tell Gill was fine by the way she was thinking and talking.

10.09pm 8th Jan 2010 - 7lb 9oz
My chair was facing away from the business end and I turned and looked over my shoulder as I heard somebody say "10 09 pm" - I saw her and she had hair - I turned to Gill and reassured her "she's perfect" I said with tears in my eyes.
Minnie was placed into my arms only seconds old. My first reaction was to show her to her mother. Minnie was covered in moisture and a thin layer of blood. The blood settled in every crease, crack and wrinkle of her skin - it exaggerated how perfect she was. With the blood sitting in every crevice you could see every tiny detail, her nose breathing gently, her forehead creased, her eye lashes, her ears.

She yawned to reveal her gums and tongue (when I looked down into her throat I thought - she's perfect inside as well).

She tried to open her eyes and I got a quick look at her pupils which filled her eyes (no white), she closed them quickly as the blood and moisture flowed in. She continued to try and open them, and blinked the blood away.

I forced my little finger into her hand and she grabbed it tight.

After a few minutes I was taken to a recovery room with Minnie whilst they finished stitching Gill and cleaning her etc.

Me and Minnie were left on our own for 10 minutes. One of my first reactions was to take a photo or send a text (there were loads of people worried and waiting for news) - but I decided not to, I decided to just live that moment with my daughter. I spoke to her and walked over to the window to show her the snow (like Del on only fools & horses).

She gurgled and squeaked, yawned twice and even did her first sneeze.

I poked my tongue out and she copied me.

It was an incredible moment -

the world stopped.

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