January 2000: I was very surprised to hear in November of 1999 that I was going to have another sister or brother. It was not something I ever dreamed of at my age. I was 27 years old. My youngest child was in school. I was very excited though. My new brother or sister will be a Millenium Baby. My parents are also excited and surprised. They had begun to plan their retirement, now they are shopping for car seats and diapers.
The doctor has given my Mother a clean bill of health and expects her to carry a healthy baby to term. She is due in May. She has already begun to show, and will be getting knowing looks very soon. She has yet to tell her co-workers. Won't they be shocked!
We are all looking forward to our "Miracle Baby". I couldn't be more happy if the baby was my own. I hope this new baby appreciates the love and joy around him/her. This child is definately wanted, and loved already. Currently, the names are James Isaac, and Rachel Emma. They are family names.
February 2000: Well, my Mother continues to do well. There is no longer any doubt to onlookers that she is expecting. The baby is moving around now, and is getting bigger and stronger by the day. Mom is tired, but that is to be expected. She will have another sonogram soon. Perhaps we'll finally know if this is James or Rachel.
March 2000: We found out this month that the baby is a girl! Yeah! Since I have 3 sons, I am glad to have a little girl around. I will enjoy buying girls clothes. I can't wait to meet her now. I am looking forward to visiting this summer and getting to know her. I think my brother is a bit disappointed as he wanted a brother. It must be tough to be the only boy. I told him he'll have to have sons, no more chances of a brother for him, though this baby is a miracle, there could be another. Mom? What do you think? Could you do it again?
May 2000: Well, we are down to the last few days, and getting anxious. Everytime the phone rings I am hoping it is someone saying my sister is on her way to birth! Mom is doing well. Little Rachel is moving and kicking and getting ready to come. I am just wanting her to hurry up already!! There are no problems and the doctor expects a normal, healthy delivery. I just hope Mom and Rachel don't hold out too much longer!
June 6, 2000: SHE HAS ARRIVED!! She was born about 1:00 in the afternoon arriving by C-section. She weighed in at 8lbs 1oz. She is 20 1/2 inches long. Mom said she resembles my 'younger' sister. I was hoping she'd look like me, but my sister is awefully pretty, so it's ok! There appear to be no complications. Mother and baby are doing well. Now, if I could just get there to visit...
June 7: Well, there seems to be some trouble today. I called to check on Mom and Rachel and was told that Rachel is still on oxygen. The doctors are not sure what is wrong. She has an IV with antibiotics. Mom is nervous and Dad, too. We will have to pray that nothing is seriously wrong, and can be fixed. My Sister, Cindy, is arriving today to visit, so everyone will be home, except for me. I wish I was there...
June 13, 2000: After a few days of wondering what is going on, Rachel went home; a week after being born and up to her birth weight. It seems she had a stroke, but because young brains are so miraculous, she will have a full recovery. We are all very happy that little Rachel is where she belongs and now my Mom and Dad can really start their new family. I was able to listen to her crying while being changed yesterday and have to say that I felt much better. The sound of a newborn crying is just so beautiful!! I am looking forward to meeting her myself in the coming months!
July 25, 2000: Well going to see Rachel was great! She's going to be a beauty! Big beautiful eyes, long eyelashes, a beautifully shaped head! She's very sweet, has a pretty, little smile. Mom and Dad look great! It was great to see her. I miss her already and I'm sorry I won't be able to see her again for a year. She's already smiling and holds her head up so well. She is very healthy, and we are grateful for it!
Aug 19, 2001: My sister is over a year old now. She's so cute. She's walking and talking, baby talk, but it's so cute. I love that I live closer now. I can visit a couple times a year. It's been wonderful watching her grow! One of the coolest things is seeing my parents with her. It's almost like getting to watch your own childhood. It's hard to explain, but seeing how they love her and care for her, I imagine that's just how they were with me too. As you grow, you appreciate your parents more and realize how much they do love you and what they've done for you over the years. I have appreciated that for some time, mainly after becoming a parent myself... but somehow it's different watching them with a baby.
Anyway, Rachel is a great little girl. She loves me and my husband. It's so funny the way she takes to him. Of course Joe, our brother, is her real hero. She really loves him. It's cute. I guess everything about her is cute!
Oct 26, 2003: Little sister is three years old now! How time is flying! She is so much fun! She likes Barbie, Dora, and the "Princesses"! Right now she is really looking forward to Halloween! It's so much fun having a little sister. When I call home to chat with my parents she always wants to talk to me to. I can hear her in the background saying, "I need to talk to my sister!" It's so cool! I should be able to make a trip home to see her for Christmas. It will be so fun to see her tear into her gifts!
