Rachel

Well Rachel turned 6 almost a month ago. Funny how time flies. I still remember when she was born. Rose and David were both breech so I had c-sections with both of them. So with Rachel, my doctor said I didn't have a choice, but had to have a c-section. So they scheduled her for 3-3-2003, which was just such a cool date and so easy to remember. My parents came down to watch Rose and David while Phil and I went to the hospital. We brought along a deck of cards and played gin rummy while we were waiting. Ya see, they tell you to be there at a certain time for a c-section. But then you just wait. So every time we went to the hospital we played gin rummy while we were waiting. And some of the nurses actually remembered us from when we were there before with David because we played cards. Well what are you supposed to do for almost an hour before surgery?

The c-section was easy for me of course. The only problem was that the spinal started to wear off and the doc wasn't quite done sewing me up. So they gave me morphine. That is some serious stuff!! It made me really loopy. I don't actually remember the end of the surgery. Phil took a picture of me being wheeled back to my room after it was over. I was holding Rachel and had the goofiest grin on my face; I was very spaced out. And ya know, I don't even remember that. They were awfully trusting to let someone doped up on morphine hold a newborn baby.

Anyway, Rachel has been a joy ever since she was born. She was full of energy from the very beginning. She has been interested in art and coloring since she was only a couple months old. She was maybe 4 or 5 months old and found a crayon that someone had left out. She managed to color all over herself before I discovered her. Ironically it was purple, which is currently her favorite color. I have a really cute picture of this, but sadly I can't find it on my computer anywhere. If I find it, I'll post it.

Rachel is very much a girl. She loves to wear dresses and look pretty. Ironically she is not great at remembering to brush her hair every morning. She likes makeup and nail polish and wearing jewelry, unlike her big sister who is a bit of a tomboy. She is a very affectionate girl and loves nothing more than to snuggle on someone's lap with pilly. Pilly is what she has named her pillow. Pilly is a very special part of Rachel's life and hangs out with her at home constantly. Pilly is currently dressed in an Ariel pilly sheet, which has seen better days and will need replaced soon.

I know some people thought we were crazy for not stopping with 2 kids (and we certainly did get some comments about that!) but I can't imagine our family without our precious Rachel Katharine!