'Did you have a nice Mother's Day?', the nurse asked me last night.
'Yeah,' I said. 'It's looking much better now...', as I pulled the cover up off of Savannah's isolette.
And it would be even better, before it was over.
. . .
It still continues to amaze me how kind and thoughtful and wonderful most of my friends and family are... How people have thought about all of us, as we've been going through this. The wonderful gifts and money they've sent for Savannah, and the cards I've received from people close to me, and others not so close. It's made me feel so good to know how much people care.
Yesterday, of course, was especially wonderful for me, being Mother's Day. I wasn't supposed to be celebrating yesterday, if things had gone otherwise, but I was so glad to have my sweet baby girl, and to be a mommy on Mother's Day. I felt really special, and it was a great feeling.
Wallace and Savannah gave me the most wonderful cards. Nana sent me a card, my former employer sent me a card, my sweet friend, Tara sent me a card. And I've heard from other people that they are sending things on the way for me. I'm so lucky.
But, last night, going in to see Savannah... I also had a card and gift waiting too, from Savannah. The nurses at the hospital made a beautiful handmade card, with Savannah's handprint on the front, holding a bouquet of flowers with a message inside. It was so sweet and thoughtful.
The nurses and volunteers at the hospital do so much for the children in the NICU. They make cards and knit little hats; they make little dresses for Savannah and the other children. Every little bit of it, helps to make us feel more normal as parents. It's difficult to explain, but it's so much nicer seeing your baby with a little dress on and a tiny bow in her hair. It just helps so much. I hope to volunteer for the hospital, after she gets out. Or do something to help them. They've been so kind to us.
I got to hold Savannah for a long time last night. Wallace and I sat and talked to her and read her books. She fell asleep in my arms, and for a few minutes, I forgot we were in the hospital. It was just Mommy and Daddy with Savannah as she fell asleep. It was the greatest Mother's Day gift I could have received. To feel normal, with my beautiful sleeping child in my arms, for a moment or two.
I can't tell you how much I love being Savannah's mommy.