Seven years ago today I was sitting in a hospital corridor feeling tired, bewildered and more than a little lost. In a busy maternity ward late at night, no-one spotted me sitting there quietly on my own. I sat staring into space for several hours, until shortly before midnight a nurse approached me and asked if I was okay.
I asked her if I could see my daughter and with a look of disbelief she asked me if I had just had a baby. I had and she was being looked after in Special Care. Minutes later I was taken to see my daughter properly for the first time.
That was the start of our journey. I had no idea how I would manage on my own with a child or if it was even possible, but I did it. We did it, and I am immensely proud of both of us.
Happy 7th birthday IJ.
I love you xxx
Happy Birthday to your Daughter :)
I'm shedding a tear for that bewildered woman that you were but so happy that seven years on you have a beautiful daughter to show for it :)
Posted by: Dawn | July 15, 2010 at 09:46 AM
What a beautiful post and Happy Birthay IJ!! xx
PS Love her tights :D
Posted by: Elaine Scott | July 15, 2010 at 09:48 AM
A beautiful post.
http://marketingtomilk.wordpress.com
Posted by: Henrietta Pretty | July 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Congratulations to both of you. x
Posted by: Cathy @ NurtureStore | July 15, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Happy birthday IJ!
Posted by: Laura | July 15, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Looks like you have come so far since that first overwhelming moment! Happy Birthday to IJ - she shares a birthday with my mom!
Posted by: Tanya (Bump2Basics) | July 15, 2010 at 10:38 AM
You captured those first feelings so beautifully. Happy birthday to your daughter and hope you enjoy the day together! Xxx
Posted by: Katie | July 15, 2010 at 10:46 AM
An amazing post for an amazing journey. You are truly an inspiration and I am honoured to have met you. Happy birthday IJ. Big hugs all round. xx
Posted by: Susan Mann | July 15, 2010 at 10:53 AM
A Happy Birthaday to your Darling Daughter and is it just me or has she grown since yesterday?
Posted by: PippaD | July 15, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Happy Birthday to IJ and congratulations to you for this wonderful achievement. :) Ciao. A.
Posted by: Antonella | July 15, 2010 at 10:56 AM
woo hoo! big up for the birthday girl! congratulations, you're both stars x
Posted by: nixdminx | July 15, 2010 at 01:51 PM
And so you should be. Parenthood is the hardest job in the whole world and one that you can't every walk away from. You have done that on your own and given how lost you were at the beginning (which made me want to cry), you have been amazing. Happy Birthday to IJ !!
Posted by: Selina Kingston | July 15, 2010 at 04:01 PM
Wow, you just brought tears to my eyes within a second! Wasn't expecting that. Happy birthday to your gorgeous daughter and hope you both have a lovely day x
Posted by: Emily O | July 15, 2010 at 04:14 PM
A really lovely post, happy birthday IJ xx
Posted by: Alice | July 15, 2010 at 06:34 PM
Happy seventh to IJ! Hope you've both ahd a great day.
Posted by: Talli Roland | July 15, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Happy birthday to IJ - she sounds fab and you've done a brilliant job.
Posted by: nappyvalleygirl | July 15, 2010 at 10:01 PM
What a heartwrenching memory!
Posted by: Mwa | July 15, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Oh you poor soul! SCBU is completely bewildering and shocking isn't it? But look at your gorgeous girly now - belated birthday happies to her, and to you xx
Posted by: Vonnie | July 16, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Happy Birthday IJ, and congratulations Rosie! I think you are doing great - I don't know how I had coped if I'd have to go threw any of this on my own.
x MM
Posted by: Metropolitan Mum | July 16, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Happy Birthday IJ. I bet you never thought, as a tired, lost, scared new mother that this day would ever happen. You two are so amazing! Big hugs. xxx
Posted by: Pants With Names | July 16, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Oh Rosie that's beautiful! We are so vulnerable as new mums with no idea of what is ahead. So glad you and your lovely girl have found your way together x
Posted by: Heather Davis | July 16, 2010 at 02:48 PM
What a great memory! If we'd known you then we'd have told you that you could do it! Happy birthday IJ!
Posted by: jfb57 | July 16, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Darn it sis.... you made me cry. Big old happy bday from your adopted family (lets get arranging our get together).
Have I told you this week that you are the best sister in the world?
Posted by: Sian - MummyTips | July 16, 2010 at 07:31 PM
Aww, sis. You've got me welling up now too. Makes you appreciate the good stuff doesn't it when you look back at the bad and sad, and you know, I wouldn't change it for the world. We came through it all and look at us now.
Anyway, your adopted niece is waiting to meet you and the rest of her adopted family, some time around the middle of August. Let's get it sorted. Mwah x
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | July 16, 2010 at 07:45 PM
Made my tummy flip....Happy Birthday to your beautiful little girl. X
Posted by: Chic Mama | July 16, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Late, as usual. A belated happy birthday to IJ. I can relate to having a baby and not having them with you. It was too much trouble for the midwives to wheel me on my bed to see Presley in the SCBU. I had to wait until my husband arrived and he took me. x
Posted by: Sandy Calico | July 16, 2010 at 09:31 PM
Happy Birthday to your young lady! :) xx
Posted by: Marylin | July 17, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Awwww, that was lovely! Happy birthday to her!
Posted by: If I Could Escape | July 17, 2010 at 02:15 PM
I have tears!
Posted by: Whimsical Wife | July 17, 2010 at 05:31 PM