I drew and colored my baby announcements. Fall leaves on the front, the insides blank for a few more days until my Terri’s arrival on the 23rd of that October morning. I had washed and folded the spanking-new diapers, laid them on the bassinet’s lower shelf, next to the Carter infant sleepers and tiny wash cloths, towels, and baby blankets. Johnson’s products lined a dresser top nearby.
Did I always take for granted I would be a mom? I think so. As a little girl I named my dolls and grew to know each of their “personalities.” Don’t laugh too hard — some of you know what I mean. 
Even when we lost our first baby early in my pregnancy, I didn’t worry. I knew I’d be a mom.
Terri took her time getting here though — she was late. And then she had a rough passage, worse for her I think, than for me. I was small, and she was the first to make the trip. I was only half aware of the process, a small amount of meds going a long way in my system.
What I recall most vividly, however, is the sight and feel of her as she lay facing me, both of us exhausted and resting, her eyes closed, mine fully open and taking in the little upturn of her nose, the sweet mouth, the bald head, the angel skin.
She had made it. I was a mom, and I still am………
I know I kept one of my announcements — I can see it clearly in my head. But where it is is anyone’s guess.
So I sketched another, using light and watery paints in Painter. The October winds had picked up, chilling the air to pre-winter degrees, but the colors remained.
Happy Birthday, Terri Lynn……………………………….. I love you still.
Time for coffee — I go through these sentimental times at least three times every year — during my girls’ birthday weeks.
Do you celebrate your kids’ birthdays, maybe even more than they do?
Barb
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I had an October baby 29 years ago and you practically described it. I celebrated it and thought more of it than she did I’m sure as she is in a very, very busy time in her life.
I really loved your leaves and the free painterly style you have. I’m so glad you visited my blog so that I had a chance to see yours.
Happy birthday to you and your daughter, then. You’re probably right — she has more to think about than reflections — just yet. She IS busy at 29.
I think I’ve become even more reflective of my girls’ birthdays as they mature into moms themselves. We probably didn’t have time either when they were little.
It’s still fun to plan celebrations. The year my youngest turned 30, her sisters and I left anonymous gifts — small things — on her doorstep every day for 30 days before her birthday.
My middle daughter always teased about being thirty and flirty… so last year we gave her a family dinner-party themed Forty and Snorty. Lots of funny gifts and laughs before the real gifts showed up.
Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving a comment. I’m heading back to your site to re-read the Einstein post and poetry before that one as well as a couple before that. I love and recommend your blog, Passions of an Odd Chick
Ah, yes, those births. Then there were the births of my grandchildren. All amazing and wonderful.
I call each of my 3 daughters on their birthday and tell them that “I know what I was doing x years ago today”. They are now 46, 44 and 41.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Carol
Ah, Barb, a mother never forgets. I can describe each of my baby’s births in great detail, the weather, the colors in the room . . . the sound of a fountain outside.
When my oldest, an April baby, spent his first birthday away from home his freshman year in college, he seemed surprised that I’d called. I thought you’d forget, he said. Forget? How could I forget the day that changed my life forever? The day I became a Mom.
Today, he has three children of his own. I think he understands now.
I love your stories, Patricia, and appreciate so much that you tell them here.
I just came from your galleries at PBase and spent a delightful 30-40 minutes there. Even poured myself another cup of Italian roast to enjoy over your photos and paintings of your family, your Porsches, and the tour of Stan Hywet Hall and grounds. (I live just up the turnpike from Akron.) Your photos from inside the Butterfly House are gorgeous.
You’re so right about those details when the kids were born. All my senses were acute, and are still. I never paid a whole lot of attention to October before Terri was born. Now I don’t miss a single leaf turning, or the crispness of sound, or the way the high and playful summer clouds now hang heavy, with dark greys on the undersides, brilliant whites above, against a bold blue sky. I love October.
That is a beautiful announcement card! Isn’t it interesting, once you draw or paint something how you always remember how you created it.
I’m in awe how you remember every detail of that special moment! Now, I just need you to adopt me. lol! My mom kind of stopped with the birthdays when I turned 26. lol. She’s a goof.
But, that was a very touching post, especially how you described watching your baby sleep. That was beyond sweet.
Barb, that was just too beautiful. Both the words, and the painting. I especially loved how the painting suggested such a strong wind that the colours are blowing away from the leaves, all on their own… Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Barb – long time no see! I have an October birthday child too – a boy, I mean a Man. I like to say that my kids are older than I am – Shockingly old.
Will I see you in the November session of the blog class? I’m still slaving away trying to get caught up.
I remember mine well too, every detail. My son who I put up for adoption turned 37 this year. It was one of the most special moments of my life when I finally met him as an adult
My daughter who was not even 5 lbs at birth and things were looking grim, but I took her home on Christmas eve that year. And my baby, who will always be my baby no matter how old. They all will be but her more so.
Anita
I think I enjoy the way your write just as much as your art work. As I read your blog (and after I post this will read more) I was drawn in like a warm blanket. I will add your site to follow.
How very beautiful!
La Donna
No matter how many years go by, the details of the day and the event remain vivid.
Barb, I had to chuckle at your daughter’s “thirty and flirty” and “forty and snorty”. What will she be in 10 years…”"fifty and nifty”?