You were supposed to be born on December the 29th. That is your Uncle’s birthday, my baby brother. You were not in a hurry to get here. I knew that you were going to be a boy. Your dad though was sure that you were going to be a girl. He was right about your brothers who were born before you. I was wrong about them too. It is strange though, because before each of you were born, I dreamt that you were the sex that you were. I even had your name picked out. You were going to be Jeremy.

I was sitting in the rocking chair about a week before you were born, thinking, what if you were a girl? What would I name you? The name came to me. I liked the name Shaun for a boy and it came to me. I wanted to name you Shaune, a derivative of my name. Shaune Angel, and you were.

The morning I went into labor, we took your brothers to your grandparents. I was nervous about leaving them, but more nervous about labor. I had been through it twice before but it was still scary. We made it to the hospital and I was prepped for delivery. Because we had moved into our new house not long before, we didn’t take the Lamaze classes. Because we didn’t take the classes they wouldn’t let your father in the delivery room with me.

I still remember what a beautiful day that it was. The snow was falling, gentle, huge, white, picturesque flakes. It was a perfect day for your to come into the world. My labor wasn’t long. It was intense though. You were posterior and sunny side up. That means that you were face up and back labor was pretty intense. None of that mattered though when I saw you.

Your doctor said, that you were 0 positive like me and you wouldn’t have problems with having your babies either as far as having the RH factor. You were beautiful. I loved you at first sight. So did your father. You did have jaundice and you you had to be under the Bilirubin lights. You looked so little, helpless and vulnerable lying there.

On the day I was to go home, I agonized over having to leave you in the hospital. Dr. Kennedy sat with us and talked to us about his mission work until your blood tests came in. He was caring, compassionate and kind. Thank God you got to come home with us, a happy, healthy, baby girl. This is the story of your birth. Happy birthday sweetheart. I love you. Your Mama