Today is Danielle's 23rd Birthday. Happy Birthday my gorgeous daughter! Twenty three years ago today, sweet little Danielle came into the world. I labored to bring her into the world at home with 2 year old Kira acting as my Doula. We breathed through contractions as they came on a regular basis in the big soft recliner covered in plastic and blankets. Jim close at hand. We had a birthing chair brought to the house by the midwife earlier that week in anticipation of her coming that week. It was a good thing. Although things started out pretty text book with the same patterns of contracts and labor as we had for Kira, Danielle had plans of getting through the birthing process much more quickly than we knew. She decided she was ready to come before we had hardly thought to call the midwife to attend us. I had Jim help me get onto the birthing chair and get a bowl and some hot water on clothes we had ready. Jim helped hold the warm clothes against me to soften the stretching. Kira sat close by playing with her doll. Once ready (in only about 10 minutes) my body transistioned to pushing and in maybe 3 pushes, Danielle was born, coming out with one armed raised out above her head into her daddy's arms. He handed her to me and she almost immediately began nursing. About 10 minutes later, our midwife arrived, coming quietly into the front door. As she saw us, still sitting on the birthing chair, waiting for the afterbirth with Danielle in my arms, nursing, Abby (the midwife) just said "what a beautiful picture!" Apparently we had done everything right and all was well. We finished all we needed to and got cleaned up quickly and all the blankets and things were gathered up into a laundry basket and off to the washer. Within an hour Danielle and I, Daddy and Kira were all sitting together on the couch celebrating Danielle's birthday with a nap. In awe at her determined quiet, quick entry into the world. It was a very magical day. One in which I felt more powerful and connnected to God and my motherhood more than any other. I knew we had angels watching over us and guiding us through. We've learned since that Danielle, true to her birth, once she makes up her mind about something, knows how to make it happen. Sometimes she gets impatient when it takes longer than she wants, but we know "She's going places!" I love you my most determined powerful daughter. Don't worry - you will have a life filled with all your dreams. Be patient - you've got plenty of time to do it in. You are a power to be reckoned with and won't let anything get in your way once you've determined your path. You also are a quiet gentle strength to those around you, including me. I'm so grateful to be your mom and am loving watching you come into your own as a wife. Happy Birthday Danielle Nicole Whipple! May you always find joy in life and learn to enjoy the journey. Love, Mom
