Our firstborn is seven years old today. It is hard to believe she is already seven. I remember the day when she was born still so vividly.
It was not an easy delivery: several complications and two surgeries afterwards within six hours of each other. So pretty much for the whole day of Veronika's birth, I was either in labor, or put under, or coming out of anesthesia. I got to see her briefly when she was just born and then they gave her to Brian while the doctors dealt with me. So here they were - our firstborn and her father - bonding in a post-surgical care room. I think she became her Daddy’s girl right there.
[Since it was a public hospital where they usually are short of personnel, they brought somebody else’s baby in that care unit, too. In Ukraine, at that time, and still now, it was/is not as common for fathers to be present at their babies’ birth. So this baby’s Dad was not there, and her Mom was probably in a situation similar to mine. Well, the nurse asked Brian to watch that baby, too. I guess he looked trustworthy and made an impression like he knew what he was doing. Too funny! And only in Ukraine!]
So when I was finally transferred to my hospital room and reunited with my baby, I remember the first look she gave me. Her eyes were dark blue, big and curious. I don’t think she blinked when she stared at me for the first time! What amazed me the most was that she KNEW I was her mother. I could tell it by that unforgettable first look she gave me. And I fell in love with her right there... There is nothing, nothing like giving birth to your first baby and becoming first-time parents!
