Mommy literary greats

Here at babyvibe we're thrilled to bring to you the winners of the second annual Mommy Literary Greats Summer Writing Contest presented by Please Mum and momcafé.

Grand prize winner: Against All Odds

by Jacki Enns

I beat the odds!

Hard to believe, but I was born just shy of 33 weeks old by emergency C-Section.

Hi. My name is Graeme Rhys. I was born on December 4, 2008 at 12:39am, and my expected arrival was January 25, 2009. I weighed in at 3 lbs 8 oz, 16.9” long. When I was born, I was transferred to the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit and put on oxygen set at 6-8 PSI to help me with my breathing so that my lungs wouldn’t collapse. A few days later, the doctor changed me to a ventilator that was set at 300 beats per minute, but set at less pressure, 2.5 PSI. I was on this for 6 days.

I had one nurse per shift that was strictly in charge of taking care of me. I had so many tubes and monitors watching over me, that there were always whistles, beeps, horns and alarms going off around me. I was given Morphine to sedate me and keep me comfortable until I was a week old. Then, they started me on caffeine, which I received for another week.

Ten days after my birth, my mom and dad were both able to hold me for the first time. Up till now, they had only been able to touch me through the holes in the incubator. They got to learn how to give me a bath, change my diaper, check my temperature, change monitor probes and feed me with bottles.

I started out being fed 1 ml every 4 hours, and that slowly increased to 4 ml every 3 hours. 2 weeks later, I was on full feeds, which was 30 ml every 3 hours. I had a feeding tube that was inserted straight to my tummy, and the nurses would slowly insert my milk to feed me. The goal was to get to 2 full days without being tube fed.

Sixteen days after being born, I was moved out of NICU to Intermediate Care Nursery where I would stay until my release. There was less monitoring here and my family and friends got to handle me more frequently. As a family, we spent Christmas and New Year’s in the hospital. We received many Christmas gifts that were gathered through the local Ronald McDonald House.

On January 14th, 2009, 6 weeks after my arrival, I was released from hospital. I am so thankful for my mom and dad, grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and family that prayed for me, visited me, and encouraged my mom and dad. Yes, I was a preemie! But, I beat the odds!

Jacki Enns is a stay-at-home mom, who also has her own home business as a Nail Technician. She has been married to her husband Ray for three years. Together they live on an acreage just outside of Killarney, Man. Jacki enjoys scrap booking, making cards, playing games and spending time with family and friends. Graeme turned 9 months old on September 4, and today weighs 17 lbs, and is 26” long. He has had no health issues since coming home.

Second prize winner: Until You're a Mom

by Trina Rehberg

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone say, “You’ll never understand until you’re a mom,” but I’m pretty sure it’s been more than a few. “You’ll never understand how much you could possibly love someone until you’re a mom,” or “You don’t know pain until you’ve had a child,” are popular varieties of this statement, and I’ve heard those, too.

The truth is, and I cringe to admit this, but I get it now. Yes, I have joined the club—not only the mom club, but the club of those annoying moms who preach about their love for their children and how smart, sweet and amazing they are. I keep my camera on standby so I can show off my son’s pictures to random people throughout the day, from the cashier at the store to acquaintances I haven’t see in years, or should I need to whip it out at a moment’s notice in case my son does something cute. This also happens quite often—my poor son probably feels like he has paparazzi trailing him 24-7.

It’s just one of those things that happens after you’ve had a child. You finally get what these mothers have been talking about all this time, and suddenly, you’re one of them. I’ve seen the most unsentimental of women turn into a puddle of mush after having her child, tearing up when he hurts and clapping like he’s won the Nobel Prize after he takes his first steps. To a mother, first steps, first words, first anything are the equivalent of a Nobel Prize—at least until your child is old enough to win the real thing.

And I have no doubt mine will, because he is the smartest, sweetest and most amazing two-year-old I know. What an annoying mom thing to say, I know. But until you’re a mom, you’ll never understand.

Trina Rehberg is a writer and mom living in Winnipeg, Man. This former girly girl has traded in her heels for cars, colouring and cartoons, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. In addition to chasing after her active two-year-old, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time at the lake.

Third prize winner: Blue Birds and Butterflies

by Marie-Anne Ricci

My lovely, 20-month-year-old daughter has just licked my face. With her beautiful head tilted to one side she shouted out the word “GOOD”. After receiving that comment my insecurities finally got a well needed boost to its self-esteem. I thought to myself could I actually taste good or am I a good mom?

Isn’t that what all of us moms ask ourselves everyday? I have been wondering that exact question since I gave birth. It wasn’t that long ago that I took my daughter home for the first time. After having her home for a few moments I realized that I had no idea what to do or to expect. She had everything she needed, clothes, toys, furniture, formula, diapers and even jewelry. If she wanted to, she was basically equipped to move out. Even with all of that I was clueless.

When she was home she made my apartment seem so magical. It looked and even smelt better. I on the other hand was a mess, tired, sad, lonely, leaky and extra heavy. Was I feeling this way because I had watched too many diaper commercials or too many movies? Were my expectations of motherhood too immature? I always wanted to have a baby since I was a baby, which confused me even more. Becoming a mother didn’t come naturally to me, which made it even harder for me. I thought I was less of a woman because that to me was what a woman was supposed to be a mom. In pure desperation I had to find someone to blame so I remember something my aunt said to me throughout my whole pregnancy. I choose to keep her nameless because I fear she will never cook for me again. My aunt told me that motherhood was like having blue birds singing on your shoulders and butterflies flying around your head everyday. Until this day she remains in the witness protection group. Maybe it was like that for her but by putting so much pressure on myself to be something that I don’t know how to be didn’t help. My mother told me to forget about the label and just be the best you that you can be for your daughter. So I did and I still am.

That was then and this is now. My daughter and I are not only mother and daughter but we are best friends. Becoming a mother to her has made me smarter, better, patient, proud and a happier person. I am sharing my shame because most mothers won’t. I wish I could have had the chance to hear both sides of being a mom equally before I choose which side I had to be on. Embrace it the way it’s suits you best. If blue birds are missing at the beginning remember that they come out in the summer. If you have given up on the birds remember that butterflies start off as caterpillars.

Marie-Anne Ricci is originally from Montreal but this last year Edmonton has become a second home. She is a 26-year-old stay-at-home mom. Besides being lucky enough to wear that title, she is an independent writer, and has independently written a book of poetry. She has a blueprint in her mind for a children's book series. Her daughter Mackenzie-May has helped recharged a new part of her creativity and has become the perfect muse.

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Mommy literary greats

Grand prize winner: Against All Odds

Second prize winner: Until You're a Mom

Third prize winner: Blue Birds and Butterflies

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