An angel and Lou

I always look forward to the labor and delivery part of pregnancy. I find it so exciting to be in the hospital and just living those few short moments before your life changes forever. The anticipation and nerves and ice chips...ahhh.  Knowing that in just minutes you get to see the little one who has been slowly taking over your body, mind and life these past few months is one of the most exhilarating feelings.

Then there is the after glow...all the visitors and family that come to oooh and ahh over your new baby. All the nurses that go on and on about how cute they are and how they fight over holding them in the nursery... I love it all.

With each child I have had wonderful experiences. But this time I had 2 unexpected blessings.

After I was moved and settled in my post-partem room most of my family returned to see and love on Mr.Ryder again. As my mother-in-law walked in she asked if I knew anything about the angel and frame for Caden. ?!?!?!?! What? Needless to say, I knew nothing of it... so much so of nothing, I had no idea what she was talking about. She explained that by the nurses station there was an angel and a frame with " In Celebration of Caden Joelle Chastain" on it...and it was the only one there! I said I would try and figure it out. So I asked my nurse. She didn't know, but said she would try and find out who made it. When she found out I was Caden's mommy, she looked into it a little more.  A wonderful lady who happens to attend BSF with me, used to work on the post partem floor. She made the frame and set it out for all to see.  Evidently it has been out there quite awhile! So along with everyone coming to love on my new little man, I had many nurses come in to say hello to Caden's mommy! I cannot tell you what that meant to me. To be acknowledged not just as the mommy of 2 little boys... but for people to know I am Caden's mommy. I said many a prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God...who gave me such a wonderful, unexpected gift.

The next morning, after I was freshly showered and fed... I called and asked the nurses to bring Ryder back from the nursery. A few minutes later the door opens and in walks Lou!
I can tell you have no idea why this is so darn exciting... So I will explain.
When Caden was born she broke her collar bone. She had to be taken to and from x-ray by a nursery worker. The lady who was assigned was named Lou. She was so nice and sweet and she LOVED Caden. She would go on and on about how beautiful she was and how much she enjoyed holding and rocking her in the nursery. She was always the one who would bring Caden to and from the nursery. She went on and on about Caden so much that she touched my new mommy heart in a way the other nurses didn't.
When (the Captain and) I had Rigg I asked about her. I was told she was very sick. Lou has always been one of those people that flit through my mind on occasion. So I began to pray for her... the lady who loved my Caden.
AND THEN SHE WALKS INTO MY ROOM WITH RYDER!!!!!
I jumped up and practically yelled her name. I think I scared her a bit... you know "who is this crazy lady who knows my name?"  kind of thing...  When I realized she was startled and confused I explained who I was and that I had been praying for her and that I was SO happy to see her. She stayed a bit and talked with me, told me about being sick and that she had heard about Caden... she was broken-hearted. She then told me that she had lost a son at the age of three. I listened and cried. We hugged and thanked one another. When she left I said yet another prayer of praise and thanks for another unexpected gift. Lou came back later and gave me a present... a beautiful bracelet. Now I can remember Lou in more ways then one.

And because I have no glorious segue sentence... Here are some pictures of our last day at the hospital before coming home.