God has blessed me with three beautiful children. All of which were born at the same hospital. St. Joseph’s Hospital has been in the family for years. Mainly because it was around the corner from where me and my siblings grew up but also, because our Nana worked there her whole life.
My first born, Raymond, weighted 7lbs and 14oz. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital on April 3rd, 2008, at 1:14 a.m. Now, giving birth to him at the age of 18 was no walk in the park. I had the hardest delivery with Raymond. Finally, after many tries of pushing hard, he came out. My ama was definitely my rock that day, Raymond’s father was there but he was of no use.
I got to hold baby, then they cleaned him up and took prints of his little feet. Afterwards they needed to run some tests on him, but I had no idea why. Minutes later the nurse comes in the room upset and ask’s me if I had used drugs while being pregnant. I said “no”, and she left the room. What the fuck was that about? Was my baby alright.
Raymond had swallowed amniotic fluid and had jaundice, so they took him immediately to the NICU. I was devastated, but at the same time I didn’t know what I was doing or if I was even being a good mother. I didn’t even have my baby with me. I was a fucking kid having a kid. I didn’t know my next move.
The stay at the hospital was short and miserable. Raymond’s biological father was in the room with me, even though he wasn’t of any help. He was just as young and dumb as I was and he was even older than me, only by a year. I didn’t want to be with him and throughout my pregnancy I hated him more and more each day. But all I was worried about at the moment was my baby.
The nurse would come get me for feeding time and I would sit in a rocking chair and breastfeed my baby. He had the longest eyelashes and the smallest head full of hair. He was beautiful and he was all mine. When nana, my mom or my apa’s wife came to visit me to see Raymond they had to come to the NICU. Only parents were allowed. My dad never came and me and my mom were hardly on talking terms. People came and that’s all that mattered to me, is that they cared.
Leaving the hospital broke my heart because I couldn’t bring my baby home with me. He had to stay and get better, and I understood that. Only 7 days in the hospital and he was home free. The day I got to take him home, my sister Marissa and her boyfriend Brandon were there to give us a ride. Raymond’s father also came with us to pick him up. The nurse let me dress Raymond up before putting him in the car seat and heading to the hospital garage to meet up with Marissa and Brandon. Me and Raymond waited as they pulled up. I don’t know why but it felt like the longest time waiting for them to pull the car around, I instantly started getting depressed. Thinking of me not having a car or a home for my baby and I’m a baby myself damn near. Finally, they pulled up, I strapped Raymond in, and we left.
Years pass and I’m 25 years old now. I’m having a baby by my fiancé, and it’s another boy. The weather is nice and I’m wearing long sleeve blouses. I love the winter and the fresh crisp air. The rain drops on my car window when I drive or the cold wind blowing through my screen door. The sounds of the leaves crackling on the floor. I love it all.
It’s the perfect time to have a baby. We were engaged and we lived in a two-bedroom duplex, me, Eddie, and Raymond. Our house was nice, big living room and rooms and a nice size kitchen. Marble counter tops and white tile floor. Wood flooring throughout the rooms and tile in the bathroom same as the kitchen. Our home was beautiful, and it resided on the North Side of Stockton, right off Ponce De Leon Ave. This is where we would live for 6 years of our lives. Eddie has a job, and we have a car, what more could we want. Once we get back, it’ll be home for the four of us.
At around 6 a.m. on a Saturday, I go into the hospital to get induced. It’s still dark outside and I’m a little bit nervous. Today is a strange day because it’s my Ama’s birthday, and I don’t know if Greg will be born this day. Nine hours in labor and out comes Greg. 8 pounds and 8 ounces with that miniature Frankenstein head like his dad. He was gorgeous and I loved every bit of him. With the same birthday as my Ama and two of
This time I had with me, my sister Marissa, my ama, and of course, my fiancé, Eddie. It was such an easy birth, and he came out as healthy as a horse. We named our baby after his grandpa, Gregorio. I had all the help in the world and best of all, I had my beautiful family. My stay at St. Joseph’s was amazing but tiring.
My sister looked after Raymond, and Eddie never left my side. Greg got to stay with me in the room because he had no issues and didn’t need to be looked over. I finally had my baby with me and was happy. Our stay ended quickly, and we left eager to get to our new home where we’d be raising our new baby boy together. St Joseph’s built the Pavilion across from St. Joes, so that’s where Eddie brought the car up and picked up me and Greg. This time I wasn’t depressed.
Liberty, my special girl. My first Babygirl, she was so beautiful when she was born.
