Who said women get amnesia?

I'll never forget one day when I was about seven and a half months pregnant with my oldest. I was sitting on the couch by my husband in our cinder block student housing when I had a terrifying realization.  All I could do was sit and stare in horror at my expanding belly.  I told my hubby, "Honey, it has to come out!" I was   scared, very scared.  The thought of the unknown terrified me.  I had no idea what to expect. 

My first three labors I had the wonderful gift of an epidural.  With the epidural comes a wonderful side   effect known as amnesia. I'm not sure if it was the epidural, the fact I had done this now four times or the fact that my fourth was born without any drugs only eight minutes after making it to the hospital, but after my ninja was born, I never forgot the pain of labor.  With that labor I discovered that I hate the side effects of that wonderful drug that keeps women from killing husbands in the labor and delivery room.  My next two   babies were born without an epidural (and my hubby survived too).  Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE epidurals and highly recommend them to everyone. For me though, I find my recovery is easier and less complicated without this amazing, wonderful drug.  I also have quick labors so enduring the pain for five hours is easier than enduring it for 12 hours or even days. 

Now I'm pregnant with number seven.  As I sit here staring in horror at my expanding belly, all I can think is one thing. IT HAS TO COME OUT!!! Now this isn't out of fear of the unknown but fear of the known.  I remember everything.  I remember labor. I remember the amazing moment that I get to hold my baby for the first time and I fall in love all over again and that instant I can't imagine living without this baby.  I remember the recovery. I remember how excited my older kids get to see and hold their newest sibling and the fighting over whose turn it is to hold the baby and who has held the baby more than anyone else, so then the other kids all decide that child shouldn't get to hold the baby for the next 2 1/2 days.  I'll never forget the sleepless nights and the very sore body parts that come with recovery of pushing something the size of a watermelon out of my body.  I remember it all!!!  I also realize that as cute as the baby is, it grows up!!! Every time my oldest asks if he can drive, I think of my little 7 pound baby born 4 1/2 weeks early laying under the lights with a mask over his  face helpless and cold.  How did he get a foot taller than me?    Where did the last 16 years go?  I remember the good, the bad and the amazing.

So here we go again.  I'm excited for the good, can't wait for the amazing and I will try to tell myself that my mom survived the not so fun and down right sucky painful parts.  It's too late to change my mind now, and I wouldn't want to even if I could.  So here we go, I have 5 days, 15 hours and 17 minutes. Let the fun begin!!