Happy 12th Birthday, Rachel!

Posted by April on February 8th, 2011 filed in Family

Joel was so excited to become a new father!  Though Rachel’s due date wasn’t until Valentine’s Day, starting at the end of January, Joel would ask me every morning whether we were going to have a baby that day.  On Monday morning, February 8, 1999, Joel woke up with the flu.  That morning, he informed me that this day was not a good day to have a baby.  Unfortunately, Rachel had other plans.  In the early afternoon, I left work early to go home since I wasn’t feeling well either (not knowing that I was in labor).  Since Joel did not go into work that day, he was already home and reluctantly drove me to the hospital.  I was so excited and nervous about this whole birthing process — and felt especially clueless since Joel and I did not take any childbirth classes.  I almost panicked when I was informed that I was too far along to have an epidural.  Good thing my husband was by my side for support and encouragement — no, wait, Joel was slumped in a chair in the corner of the delivery room.  He could barely stand for more than a few minutes at a time before he retreated to the lazy boy recliner to rest.  Ironically, the nurses seemed more concerned about him than me!  Numerous times, they asked him how he was feeling, whether they could bring him anything, etc.  Don’t mind me, trying to push the equivalence of a bowling ball out of my body.  After a few short hours, somehow, both Joel and I survived the entire ordeal and were able to rest comfortably that night, celebrating our new roles as parents.  While smiling his beautiful smile, Joel always enjoyed sharing with others how rough Rachel’s birth day was for him.

Happy 12th Birthday, Sweetheart!  Your Dad would be so proud of the sweet, smart, thoughtful, generous, loving, competitive, wonderful person you are!

Joel and Rachel, October 2000


8 Responses to “Happy 12th Birthday, Rachel!”

  1. Connie Matalon Says:
    February 8th, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    Hi April,

    Thanks for sharing the exciting events of Rachel’s birth day 12 years ago. WONDERFUL pictures of Rachel and Joel, too !!!
    Cousin Connie

  2. Paula Cooprider Says:
    February 9th, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Hi April and Rachel,
    You’re right-Joel was proud of you, Rachel. I remember one summer when you weren’t very old we were all at St. Louis for a ballgame and you and your dad came. I remember watching you and your dad swim in the motel pool and I thought what a good daddy he was to bring you by himself. I hope you had a Happy Birthday yesterday.
    And thanks for reminding us of the details of Rachel’s birth. It makes me laugh again. Great pictures. Paula

  3. Kathy Peigh Says:
    February 10th, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    That was a very special day and we are so pleased how special you are Rachel.
    I remember how pleased your Dad was when he came out to tell us the good news. I was even more pleased when he told us your name. Rachel was the name we were going to name him, and then changed our minds so he could have a more masculine one.
    April I remember how funny and well Joel told his version of this day– for a long time I didn’t believe he was serious when he said he “really didn’t feel well” I like yours just as well. It is good to smile at such a blessed day.

    Happy Birthday Rachel
    Love Grandma

  4. Arnie Says:
    February 15th, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    Hi April,
    Great story thank you for sharing it!!

    Happy Birthday Rachel!!

    With all our love, the Pyles.

  5. Kathy Peigh Says:
    February 16th, 2011 at 10:42 am

    I know we are still celebrating your birthday until Sunday at the gymnastics place. I am especially wishing today that your Dad were here to vent with all about Pujols.
    Since they haven’t signed him, guess we will to commiserate with each other Sunday.
    Have a good rest of the week.
    Grandma

  6. Erin Carr Says:
    March 5th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    I always loved that story, though I’ve never heard it from you. Your version is as funny as his….

  7. Karen Allen Says:
    March 21st, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Hadn’t heard the story but am laughing now. Thank you for continuing to post.

  8. Daphne Says:
    April 23rd, 2011 at 8:21 am

    Happy birthday Rachel

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