Dear First Niece,
As your aunt and your mothers doula, your birth was extra special for me. It was a wonderful time of fun and family togetherness. As my "payment" your parents paid to fly me out from Texas, and Nanna Graham came along too to help me take care of my little William who was three months old. We got there a few days before your expected date of arrival and had a grand time with all of us together! Aunt Kayla, Nanna, and I slept together on some borrowed pads on the floor in the soon-to-be nursery and what laughs we had! We even showered together to conserve the precious hot water! During the daytime we walked everywhere we could to encourage you to come soon. In the evenings we played games and watched movies and talked about your arrival. We planned and discussed and prepared every needful thing. We were all so excited! Your birth time was surrounded by love and fun and family.
The day before your due date, your mother had a doctor’s appointment. The doctor said that she was not ready to have the baby yet but her body was preparing. He estimated you would stay put for a few more days. Your mother, Nanna and I had other ideas! We picked up some natural labor inducing things on our way home and your mom did several treatments that night. At about 4 am the next morning your mom crept into our bedroom and told us that today was the day!
We labored at home for a few more hours and your mother was doing beautifully. Your grandma Sommers came too and she was a wonderful emotional support. Your mom spent lot of time kneeling or standing over the bed while we massaged her back and brushed her hair. At about 8 am your parents decided that they wanted to be at the hospital so we packed up and drove the few minutes over to the little Rexburg labor and delivery unit. The labor was progressing steadily and we still had a ways to go, but we were blessed to have a wonderful nurse named Lael. Between her sassy cheerfulness and your mother’s funny labor talk we had some good laughs.
Your mom was very conversational during labor, which is rare and tremendously endearing. She would give herself pep-talks, "My contractions are gonna hurt, and I'm gonna be okay." Or she would bargain with her belly as a contraction started, "dang, it hurts! No no no! I don't want it!" And then dear Lael said, "Are you fighting with your uterus?" "Yes," your mom replied, "it's not being very nice!" At one point your dad was laying in the little bed behind your mom to support her back, and he accidentally pushed the paging button with his bum. When Lael came in he explained and apologized for calling her. She just brushed it off saying, "Did you butt-dial me?"
Finally it was time for your mother to push you out! Your Grandma Sommers held your mom’s hand, your dad held one leg, and I held pressure on your mom’s back as she gave it all she had to finally bring you into this world to join our family. This was a very tender moment. Several family members were waiting out in the hall for your imminent arrival. But when your Grandpa Sommers heard your mom bearing down he snuck back in- closely followed by the others- and they all squished in behind the curtain. As you made your way out, your daddy and I held hands across your mother’s body and cried together as we felt your spirit pass from our Heavenly Father into the room. You let out your first cry and there were stifled sobbing cheers from the peanut gallery behind the curtain.
Brynlee, I have never seen such a beautiful newborn as you! You were glowing and pink and soft. After the initial crying you settled down to just gaze at everything and everyone around you with your big almond shaped eyes. Of course we were all smitten! I want to reiterate the feeling surrounding your birth. Your family was all around; we loved each other and were eagerly looking forward to loving you. Heavenly Father loves you very much too; I felt His love for you and for your wonderful parents. Your birth was a beautiful, sacred and joyful experience and I feel so blessed that I was a part of it!
All my love,
Aunt Estee
