Writing about spending time with your baby in the hospital earlier got me to thinking of my own hospital experience. This is my favorite photo of Charlie and I from the hospital.

Those few days in the hospital are the days (aside from pregnancy) where I most felt like Charlie’s mother as I was able to mother him. Although, A. was there in the hospital with me most of the time those days are the days I felt most like his mother. I fed him bottles, changed his dirty diapers, talked to him, sang to him, took pictures of him, and loved on him. A. and I probably had the most fun changing his clothes a million times. We treated him like a baby doll trying on so many outfits and “ooing” and “aahing” over how cute he looked in each outfit.

Friends and family stopped by the hospital bringing little gifts for Charlie and me. Visitors brought cards that I still have in my keepsake box. Co-workers brought flowers for both A. and I and an outfit (that we later tried on him!) for Charlie. My best friend brought chocolate!!

I had three days with Charlie in the hospital. Most mothers only stay a day in the hospital (with a regular delivery) but since I had a c-section I stayed three. I’m almost grateful (notice I said almost!) that I had a c-section as it bought me extra time with Charlie that I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.

The hospital experience was so bittersweet. I loved the time I spent with Charlie and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, but it was also sad because I knew we had limited time and would soon be parting.

Spending precious moments in the hospital, “saying hello” – that’s love.