3. The Day She Was Born
The day my daughter was born started off as any other. It was my last day of work before maternity
leave. I had an entire week to prepare for her arrival. I had a scheduled C-section for May 21, 2010
because she was a breech baby. Let’s just say that her stubbornness started in the womb. I got
home from work so excited to spend a week nesting, cleaning and preparing myself mentally for the
new life that awaited me. At 4:30, on May 14, 2010 I was enjoying some time on the couch when my
water broke. Again, my baby had her own ideas on how things would go. I was so flooded with
emotion. I was excited to know that I would soon have this little life in my arms that I had been
anticipating so greatly. I was terrified at the same point. I kept saying that this isn’t supposed to
happen yet, I have another week. I am not ready. When in all actuality I was. I read every baby
book; took all of the classes, and the nursery had been done for months.
4. The Day She Was Born
I called the doctor and they told me to wait until they contacted
the hospital before I left. I rechecked our bags, took a shower, and
waited…and waited. I wasn’t in any pain or having contractions
until we were in the car on the way to the hospital, then they hit
me like a ton of bricks. Once I was admitted to the hospital, I was
not allowed any pain medication until I received my spinal block for
the C-section. I was never sold on the idea of surgery so I
requested one last ultrasound before they took me to the
operating room, just in case my stubborn girl decided to
cooperate, which she did not. Everything in the operating room
happened so quickly that it was all a blur. I remember knowing
that they had started the procedure only because the entire mood
of the room changed. Once they pulled you out, it felt like an
eternity before I heard her cry. I asked three times if she was okay
and why she wasn’t crying before she let out a wail that would
shake the rafters. My beautifully stubborn daughter was born May
14, 2010 at 8:47 p.m. weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19
inches in length. Things didn’t go as planned but I wouldn’t change
a thing. I will never forget these moments and how they changed
my life forever.
5. Isabelle's Ten Firsts:
• Spoke first word at 6 months old
• First clapped hands at 7 months old
• First steps at 15 months old
• First learned to dance before she
could walk
• First sang a song 6 months
• First slept through the night at 6
weeks old
• First smile at 5 days old
• First rolled over 3 at months old
• Sat supported at 7 weeks old
• Began crawling at 6 months old
7. A Letter To My Daughter
Dear Isabelle,
You are almost three years old and I can't for the life of me, figure out where the time has gone. It feels like just
yesterday your were the screaming baby in my arms. Now you are growing into a smart, funny, sweet little girl. I
am so proud of the child you have become and I look forward to so many more memories with you. I love
watching you grow, while at the same moment, wishing that I can make time stand still. It is true what they
say, that a baby changes everything. I had never known the type of love that I feel for you until I looked into
your eyes for the first time. When you took your first breath, I took it with you and it lit a fire in me unlike
anything that I have ever felt. I love you more than you will ever know.
Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy
9. A Baby Changes Everything
When I became a mother,
I was shown a love like no other.
With little hands and tiny feet,
Came a love that is oh so sweet.
When I became a mother,
I was shown a love like no other.
A round face full of giggles,
A chubby baby full of wiggles.
When I became a mother,
I was shown a love like no other.
10. A Recipe For Love...Also Known as Mac and
Cheese
Isabelle's favorite foods are pasta and cheese. It makes sense that macaroni and cheese is the key to my girl's heart.
• 1 package of pasta (we use shells)
• 1 egg
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp. of melted butter
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking dish.In a large pot of water, boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes
until half-cooked.Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk.Place the lightly
cooked macaroni in the baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and stir
well.Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.This is our recipe for love!
12. About the Author:
My name is Amanda and I am a 29 year old mother of a beautiful, smart, silly 2
year old girl. I am a full time Elementary Education Student at the University
of North Carolina at Charlotte. I also work part time and volunteer at my
daughter's preschool. I look forward to graduating next year and pursuing my
career as a teacher.
I wrote this life story for my daughter. In hopes that one day when she is
older, she will look back at this and know that she was loved from day
one. She has inspired me to do so many things and I am eternally grateful to
have been blessed with such an amazing child.
