Serendipity = January 21, 2012

The word serendipity is defined as something unexpected will happen that will bring you good luck, and fortune.  This word started out as one of my favorite movies, and then turned into my most favorite word, (I can even spell it without spell check),  and the arrival of Hadley Anne Moore has been just that!! It is funny how in life you have trouble remembering what you wore yesterday, or did you shut the garage door?? But there are other times like your wedding day, child's birth, etc. that will be forever stored in the VIP memories section of your brain.  I will never forget the day I found out about Hadley Anne....



Everybody says unexpected things happen in life, and you never know what will happen from one day to another. But I never gave any thought to something this wonderful.  Heather, and I were cruising along living the parenthood life, ready for what ever speed bumps may arrive, but starting to see that glimer, or ficker of light at the end of parenting a young child tunnel.  Avery was 10, and Addison almost 8, Olivia 7, and Brody Bear bring up our ca bus at 3.  I think at least with me there came a time when I just knew I was ready to parent Olivia, and Brody only.  I had all I could give, and wasn't willing nor wanting to share them with another sibling.  Heather as well seemed to be in this same spot. Taking in the life of a mother of two crazy boys, guns, dirt bikes, football, just to name a few.  Gradually as she evolved into this type of mother so did her appearance, less showers, sports clothing filling up her closet, zero make-up, and trying to keep her house fire proof, or destruction proof from Addison.  I had taken over having the girl in the family with the greatest of ease, and the major curve ball of my crazy Brody... Heather the mother of two beyond wonderful boys, that I am so so so proud to call my nephew's. So here we were trucking forward, blood, sweat, and tears. The summer of 2011 was moving along like normal, I was on summer break, the weather was; well you know... HOT.  Heather called me and asked the normal sisterly question " Holly when did you last have your period??" After giving her my answer her "OH SHIT response said it all"  Heather was going to have a baby, her life was going to change from kid mode back to the baby "safety" gate.  It took us all a couple of weeks to adjust to the new idea of a baby again.  But gradually the question marks that lingered in all our minds turned into exclamation points.  As Heathers belly grew so did the excitement of the entire family (minus Addy for most of the pregnancy).  In late October after a huge ordeal of finding out the sex of the baby we were all thrilled to hear that the baby in her tummie would be a girl!! Knowing Heather was having a girl for me at least changed everything, I never said the basic baby word anymore, and Hadley Anne became a word that got us all a little giddy with anticipation.  Heather was given two wonderful baby showers, and the pink started flooding the house like the Arizona sunshine.  The house changed, and conversations always led back to Hadley's arrival and when???? 

I was very fortunate to be there for Avery and Addison's birth.  With Avery the doctor kicked me out of the delivery room for crying to hard, and distracting my sister (whatever, I wasn't use to me not being in the spot light for once JK).  With Addison while Heather was at the hospital I was home with 2 1/2 year old Avery who was super super excited to be a big brother. He kept asking me over and over "was he here yet??" Waiting on the inevidable stork to make his delivery.  While Heather was delivering Addison, Avery and I stayed out in the hall, and I read the story Red Fish, Blue Fish One Fish, Two fish ... to drown out the sounds Heather was making from the other room.  I was there the first moments they entered this world, and Hadley's grande arival would be no different.  The holidays came and went in normal fashion. Sitto had become so excited for Hadley that I had to talk her out of buying a baby's first Christmas ornament considering Hadley would only be celebrating in utero.  January had fnally come, and that meant the much anticipated phone call "It's time?!".   I turned my ringer up higher, and slept with the phone on my night stand.  I had all the scenarios planned out, including warning my principal once I got the call I was out! Every time Heather would call I would answer the phone on pins and needles to hear her say " Hey Holly what are you dong?" I couldn't take it any more and I consider myself a girl with impeccable patience (shhh this is my blog so I can write what ever I want!).  On January 19th Heather called in the middle of me teaching to say, she thinks it may be tonight but to STAY AT WORK and wait for her phone call a little later. Yah right I was out of there so fast my students thought I just vanished into thin air.  Needless to say Hadley was not going to come tonight, but soon.... I couldn't take it anymore and decided if I just stare at Heather, literally following her every movement I would at least not worry about missing anything.  While I was driving to Tucson I was on google searching for ways to naturally induce labor. Heather vetoed the caster oil right off the bat:( I was prep, and planned ready with the up to date information on such a matter.  I got to the house, and Heather was even more moody, and grouchy then normal (and that is saying a lot).  She looked uncomfortable, and had no problem reminding me with her lack of patience it requires for a older sister to be around my fabulous self. 



Anyway back to Heather.. after dinner; hoping a full stomach might ease her mood and stubbornness?? We the inducing began, first we were running up and down her stairs, then we went into bouncing on her large ball, and lastly the grand finale of having her get on all fours, and moving around her hips.

The looks we were getting from the boys was priceless.  I have inserted a video I took of Heather post labor if you don't believe me on her mood.  The proof is in the pudding that is all I have to say.  After all of that she decided to head back into the kitchen for some.. you got it more food, and then we all heard her say " Guys I think my water just broke, or I am peeing my pants again" I also got this moment on camera as well.  

It was offically baby time, I was so excited I had packed two well thought out outfits to look my best in a having the baby in the morning, or having a baby during the day.  The time had come for me to put on my baby night outfit and we were off!! Everything was going great, I was there, Sitto was there, along with a special friend who did a double shift to be Heather's labor and delivery nurse.  Heather went the entire night with quite ease, joking all along the way. I was trying to soak up as much I am skinner then you feeling, because lets face it, this was going to be my last chance.



At about 11:00 am the room started getting busier, which meant Hadley was almost to the finish line.  Austin was going to deliver her, and watching him get detailed instructions from the doctor on what to do was truly priceless.  The doctors number one delivering tip for Austin was "Don't drop her, don't let her slip out of your hands" and she wasn't kidding around. 



Hadley was born 7 pounds 6 ounces, about an hour and a half later!! She had arrived not exactly in the best positon but she had arrived, and that was all that mattered.  It amazes me to this day how you can love someone so much before or just moments after you meet them.  To zero surprise she was perfect in every way, healthy, lots of hair, alertness, and of course her aunties great just woke up, just got out of bed natural beauty. 

It is funny how my most favorite word "Serendipity" ended up being the most perfect good future an aunt could ask for. I feel so privileged to be her aunt, and I can't wait for Olivia and I to take her under our lets act girlie wing, and drive my sister crazy!!! Welcome Hadley Anne Moore, I love you to pieces, and am so thrilled to have you in our family, you truly are the perfect addition!!