The whole story of Aliya

December 27, 2000~

Christmas had just past and we were home in Oklahoma City from spending the holidays with my family in Texas. I was opening the bank where I worked talking with a friend. My husband Nate and I had discussed starting a family, so on Thanksgiving I decided to go off my birth control. I was telling my friend that I got this great skirt for Christmas, but when I was trying it on, the stupid thing would not zip up. She started laughing and suggested that I might be pregnant. She knew we were interested in a family, so jokingly made the comment. I wondered though, could I really be??? I started asking her the signs of pregnancy, she began on a huge list. I had a couple of the signs, but I just figured it was all from the holidays. She talked me into getting a pregnancy test, just to set my mind to ease. I quickly ran to the store. I took it into the bathroom at the bank, read the directions carefully, and then followed through. I watched as the one line appeared and waited for the other line, but nothing. Sadly, I laid down the test, pulled my pants up, grabbed the test box and wrappings, and then grabbed the test. Before throwing it all away I glanced at the test once more and there it was...the second line!! Pure elation swept over my body, my heart was racing a mile a minute, I could not believe this was happening. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and quietly said to the new little life, "I promise to love you with everything in me.". I ran out and showed my friend, she hugged me and then we laughed. I called Nate and told him, I know not very personal, but I was so excited I could not wait. He was shocked!! I think that he could not believe it happened so fast, but there we were, going to be parents. We told our families, everyone was thrilled. The first grandchild on both sides was on it's way!!

April 23, 2001~

After making it through morning sickness, hearing the heartbeat, feeling the baby move, having my body stretch in places I didn't think were possible, and finding out our precious baby was coming in September, it was time to find out what was actually in there. I think that everyone was saying girl, especially my MIL who had all boys. My sister and MIL were there with us when the sono technician said we were to decorate in pink!! What emotion, to see and now know what was inside my belly. She had the cutest little profile. I was so happy!!!! Naming her was easy. I had Madison picked out since the beginning, I just needed a middle name. My sister and I were looking at Arabic names. That is when we saw Aliya. It was perfect, Madison Aliya would be her name. We told our families and they loved it. Being that my family's background is Arabic, my dad started calling her Aliya. After thinking about it, we decided to switch the names to Aliya Madison. Now, that was perfect!!

September 1-4, 2001~

I was due on the 3rd, Labor Day, ironic, right? Well that day came and went. We had a family cookout. My family came up from Texas and Nate's brother and his wife came in from Tennessee. We all gathered at Nate's parents house and I was the topic of conversation. Everyone watched me, when I flinched they all gasped, if I grunted or moaned they all grew silent and watched. It was a little nerve-wracking. That evening I was walking with my SIL and MIL, I guess to start labor. My legs were cramping so we decided to go inside. I sat down in a recliner to rest, as I stood back up I felt leaking. I called for Nate and then felt more leaking. We called the hospital and then were on our way. After checking me they told me that I pee'd myself. The holiday was over and life returned to somewhat normal. At my appointment on the 4th we talked about induction on the 6th, I was ready to meet my little girl, I was over being pregnant.

September 6-7, 2001~

I woke up extremely nervous, not really knowing what to expect. My mom and brother were on their way up from Texas and my dad and sister would be up after a half day of work. Meeting us at the hospital was Nate's mom and his dad would be up later that day. We got to the hospital at 7 am and they started the induction at 8 am. By the time they started my mom and brother had arrived. The induction consisted of a strip placed on my cervic to soften it to dialate. I was only a fingertip dialated at the time. Little did I know, I was about to enter the worse pain I have ever experienced in my entire life!! It did not take long for the strip to work. I could not even breath, I need pain meds right away. I was told I could not have my epidural because I was only 2 cm, and I had to be at a 4. They gave me some Demoral (sp?) in my IV. Horrible decision!!! I still had tremendous pain, but I was so loopy. I had no idea what was going on. This went on for a couple more hours. It was really an emotional time. My family saw me in so much pain and there was nothing anyone could do. Finally, finally, I had reached 4 cm. I didn't care how big the needle was, all I knew was I wanted it in my back feeding me drugs. Awwwww....relief!!! It was fabulous!! I felt nothing, I was able to enjoy the rest of labor with a smile. At about 9 pm-ish I was still at 6 cm and not progressing. They started talking c-section, but my nurse wouldn't let that happen. She flipped me to my other side and things started to pick up again. I was so ready to meet my little girl, I could not wait any longer. At around midnight I was fully dialated and ready to push. My girlfriend Mandy had just arrived with her husband, so her, my mom, my sister, my MIL, and Nate all were in the room. After the room was transformed it was about 12:30 am. With some serious grunting and pushing, I birthed my first daughter. I could not believe that I did it, I had a baby. It was such a moment, one that I will never forget. My little princess came into this world on September 7, 2001 at 1:07 am. She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches.

September 7, 2008~

I can't believe how time has passed by. I was reading her baby book the other day and I just cried. What I would give for one more day with her as a newborn, to smell her, hold her, cuddle her. She is so big now. She has already gone through such a transformation. From little girl to young lady. She is so brilliant. She is the only student in her 1st grade class that reads to the class. She has such a tender heart, she loves all people. I am so proud of her. Her passion for learning is so unbelieveable. So Happy Birthday Aliya, may this year be better than your last!! No matter how big you get, you will always be my baby girl!!