Conference moira::parenting_v3

1050.0. "I thought I would share this with you..." by DSSDEV::ZEEB (Cida Zeeb) Thu Jul 25 1991 01:26

For some time, I wanted to write a story to put in the Newsletter for the
play group that Kristine (my twelve month old daughter) and I belong to.
The right words didn't come out until I was in a plane on my way to Brazil
for a family emergency, leaving behind my baby and my husband.  So here is
my story...


ONE MOTHER'S STORY

  	
Why Do I Love My Husband?

April 4, 1991

My husband of almost five years is all I could ever want. Being 6,000 miles 
away from my  family, my husband became my "whole" family and my best
friend  from the day we said "I  DO". We have always shared a relationship
full of  love, tenderness and friendship. Last July  4th, we were blessed
with a  beautiful baby girl, Kristine Marie. From the day (November 7th, 
2:45PM)  I found out that my husband and I were expecting a baby, I became
more  aware of  what a wonderful man he is.

During my pregnancy my husband, Jeff, was very understanding and
supportive,  especially  during the times when I was experiencing morning
sickness (almost  four months). Every morning Jeff would bring crackers or
a piece of toast  to my bedside to help settle my stomach before  getting
up. He always made  sure that I was eating healthy meals. Throughout my 1st
and 2nd  trimester,  Jeff would cook all our meals. Jeff also accompanied
me to all my doctor's  appointments -- we always heard our baby's
heartbeat together and watched  her little movements during the two
ultrasounds I had. We chose things  together -- from the baby's first
undershirt to  the baby's furniture. I  remember sitting on the floor in
the baby's room with a "huge stomach   sticking out" and watching my dear
husband put the baby's furniture together  and move the  wall decorations,
1" to the left, 1" to the right, and then  starting all over again. He was
always  there to help me to sit down and get  up. He always made sure that
I was comfortable, even if  that meant turning  the fan off and on every
five minutes, setting a pillow in several different   positions or letting
me hold his back at 4:00 AM when I couldn't sleep.

The BIG day finally came... my contractions woke Jeff up during the night. 
He calmly gathered  all our hospital things, always comforting me with
words  and hugs. During the following fifteen hours Jeff didn't eat, sleep
or  leave my hospital room. He would just hold my hands, risking the loss
of  feeling in his fingers from having them squeezed for so long and so 
vigorously  at times.

Hours later Kristine Marie was born... Jeff took her  in his arms, carried
her to the nursery and  watched her through her first  moments of life.

For the next five days in the hospital, Jeff was  wonderful. He would fluff
up my pillows and  place Kristine in my arms to  be nursed, while helping
me figure out the best position to nurse   her. For five nights he slept on
a chair in the room, so he could be with   Kristine and me. During a few
of the nights when I ran a high fever, Jeff  was there, monitoring the
medication and  making sure that I was ok.

The day to go home came and the three of us went on our way to be a family. 
A week passed  and Jeff was the same loving, caring, and understanding 
husband I married five years ago. He  would get up during the night to 
bring Kristine to our bed to be nursed, he would do all the  housework and 
all the cooking. He even took a "father's paternity leave" from work just 
to be  with Kristine and me. He helped me through the difficult times of 
nursing, always encouraging  me to continue. He would hold and cuddle 
Kristine so I could have a break.

When Kristine was three weeks old, we had our first night out without  her.
We went for dinner  and on the way back my husband unexpectantly pulled 
the car over and we made out. It was so  romantic! Now we devote at least 
one night a month to just ourselves. Romance is still quite an  important 
component of our marriage. My husband still brings me flowers but now he 
requests  that I share them with Kristine; lucky for me Kristine doesn't
mind  sharing.

Today, after nine months, Jeff is still the same caring, romantic  and
wonderful man. He bathes  and feeds Kristine, even at 5:00 AM. His love 
for his daughter is unquestionable and their  bonding is so intense.

Tears come to my eyes as I write this -- Jeff you are wonderful and I love 
you as much as I did  five years ago.    	


				- Cida Zeeb

    
    I have tears in my eyes now too...
    
    Thanks for sharing that....
    
    Chris
    

    
    
    Sniff....Sniff!!!!
    
    What a nice story....
    
    Sandy

    Boy...your letter truly made me stop to think... We just had our first
    baby four months ago and with all the adjustments and learning, I don't
    remember taking the time to thank my husband in such a wonderful way.
    
    Thank you for sharing that...it was a nice way to start the day.
    
    Sandie