12 years for Caitlee

12 years ago, Caitlee joined the Corpuz family. Weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs 7 oz. she was the tiniest baby of mine. For being so small, Caitee was also my most difficult delivery. Caitee was in posterior position with the cord around her neck and intertwined around her legs and feet. Every time I pushed her down the birth canal, the cord worked like a bungee cord, pulling her back in. I knew something was different right when my labor began, the contractions we über painful, making me hunch in pain, driving to the hospital was rediculous! Every lurch, bump, brake, acceleration, deceleration was a reminder of what was to come. We made many attempts to get the baby out safely and quickly, pushing alone wasn't sufficient, the physical attempt to turn the baby while still in my belly, forceps, vacuum extractor, a game of tug-o-war between the doctor and I over her-- the room looked a worse for wear, blood was splattered on the ceiling, blood on the doctors face, medical towels, tools, nurses anxiously waiting Caitlee's arrival. I didn't grasp the difficulty of my labor until hours after her birth. I was listless and my blood wouldn't clot, the doctor and nurses did a wonderful job coaxing me through.  Once my clotting kicked in, I rested and began healing. I was still exhausted from delivery, and swore off having any more children. I was in love with my new little bundle of joy, I don't remember complaining much. Nana Ruth was there to help with Gav and Raya, I am pretty sure I slept the first two days home, only waking to take care of my new baby. When Cait was about 2 weeks old I began to think I was dying again. Trying not to be over dramatic and enduring the two other children I was caring for, I pulled out the wagon, strapped on the baby carrier and wheeled the kids to Albertson's for entertainment. On the way home I called the doctor because I was afraid I was going to keel over and die, at least if I did, the Nurse would call 9-1-1. Turns out again I was being dramatic and had mastitis. It creates flu like symptoms, fever, chills, disorientation and extreme pain in the infected breast.  Once my prescription kicked in, I began to heal dramatically and within days was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. All these years later, I would do it all again in an instant to have you in my life. Caitlee, you have a favorite spot in my heart, I love you so. 

Did I mention we didn't find out if you were a boy or a girl?  Such a fun surprise to find out Soraya was getting a sister!