07.07.07

Leaving for the hospital on 07.07.07

One year ago today, my water broke, and I went into labor. I guess that should be ... one year ago tonight. My water broke between 10 and 11 p.m., and Kate was born at 6:13 a.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2007. But I was wishing that she would be born on the 7th. Why? Because her birthday would have been 07.07.07.

I know that it's silly, really. During my pregnancy, when I told people that the due date was July 6th, I would jokingly say, "But maybe she'll come on the 7th--it'll be 07.07.07!" Yes, I joked about it, but I secretly was really, really hoping that that Saturday--the 7th--would be the big day.

Here's a little aside: While I was preggo, pretty much from the beginning, I was told to expect a small baby. Tanna and I aren't very big people to begin with, so we were told the baby probably wouldn't be very big, either. In fact, during my second trimester, my doctor had me drinking Ensure because she was worried that I wasn't gaining enough weight. (I don't think that was a concern later on!) I also was told around late May or early June (I think) that the baby could come early.

As June turned into July, my desire for an 07.07.07 baby increased. I also was hoping that Kate would be born in July for a couple of reasons. One being that June is such a busy birthday month for our family. I thought it'd be nice for her to have a less-crowded birthday month. (Not that that is a big deal, but it did cross my mind.) Also ... during the month of June last year, we were on COBRA Insurance, and our new insurance was set to start on July 1. I especially didn't want to be in the hospital during the change. The whole insurance situation was a huge headache, but that's another story! (At one point, I had a breakdown in the doctor's office over the insurance mess. Whew! What a day that was!) Anyway ... I was glad once the pregnancy continued into July. Plus, it was more time for Kate (the supposedly small baby) to grow.

Well, one day led to the next, and soon the big due date had come. Still no Baby Kate. In fact, that night we went to Bed Bath & Beyond, and my total at the checkout was $7.77. I am not making that up! I took it as a sign that maybe 07.07.07 was our day!

But it wasn't.

I knew in my heart that Kate would be born in God's timing. And I believe she was. Even though I didn't get my wish for her birthday to be 07.07.07, when I think of her birthday, I am reminded that God's timing is perfect. She was born on 07.08.07 at 6:13 a.m. I was thinking about it later, and I realized that Tanna's birthday is 06.07, and Kate's is 07.08! Pretty neat! Also, about her birth time of 6:13 a.m.--she is the 6th grandchild born on Tanna's side of the family, and the 13th grandchild born on my side of the family. Cool, huh? I am definitely not into numerology or any of that stuff, but I still think dates are neat to think about. I am thankful that God brought Kate into the world on 07.08.07--and reminded me to to wait upon the Lord and to trust in Him and His perfect timing.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. --Psalm 27:14

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. --Psalm 130:5

I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God. --Psalm 38:15

Waiting is never easy, especially if you are a million months pregnant and overdue. But know that God will answer in His time.

Oh yeah ... Our "small" baby that we were told to expect weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces! I know that's not a giant infant or anything, but Kate was definitely bigger than we thought she'd be. Oh, and she came two days "late."

But right on time.