An invisible red thread connects those that are destined to meet,regardless of time,place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.~Ancient Chinese Proverb

Monday, August 5, 2013

8 is GREAT

Our firstborn Son turned 8 this weekend.
What a blessing this sweet, shy, caring little guy is to us.
I look at him and see myself in so many ways. We are so much alike, kindred spirits..and I just love him with all of my heart. He's tall, skinny, blonde haired, blue eyed (THAT he did not get from me!!), and has the hugest heart. He's emotional, smart, witty, a little reserved and already I can tell-a people pleaser.

I think back to the day he was born. I was only 36 weeks pregnant, but definitely feeling like he was going to make his entrance anyway. My hubby had traveled out of town for the day, and I had headed into work. It was about 11am, and I was cleaning my patient's teeth (I'm a Dental Hygienist), I began having contractions and excused myself to the restroom. As I closed the bathroom door, my water broke! I freaked out and called my OBGyn, explaining what had happened. Since they didn't "believe" I was in true labor, they told me to come to the Office. I quickly called my husband to tell him what was going on and that he needed to head back to town (he was 3 hrs away). I jumped into my car (yes...I drove Myself!!) and raced to my Doctor's office. I had called my girlfriend who was close to town and she agreed to meet me at the Doctor. Well, as I'm racing down the highway, in labor, amniotic fluid trickling down my leg..(sorry....but it's labor we are talking about).. What do I hear in the background??? Sirens. A police officer was pulling me over!!! He pulls me over and continues to SIT in his car. Hello..dude...can you get out of the car and let's get this ticket over with?? He struts over to the car and begins to ask me if I realized how fast I was driving. I pointed to my belly (which I will admit, was hidden pretty well in my medical scrubs). I began yelling, telling him I was pregnant and in labor. He smirked and asked.."how far along are you??" People. I swear. I'm not making this up. It could have been a movie. I screamed, ""far enough for my water to have broken and its pouring down my leg!! Wanna see?!?!". He just gave me a glare and said, "well.. be careful and slow done." That's it. No police escort to the hospital. Nothing. People kept telling me afterwards that I should have gotten his badge number. Hello. This was my FIRST baby, I'm by myself and I'm totally freaking out. All I could think about was making it to my Doctor.
Well, I screech into the parking lot where my girlfriend is eagerly waiting for me. She walks me in, and registers me at the front desk. We sit. We wait..and wait...at this point, all I can do is laugh.and each time I laugh, I feel more amniotic fluid oozing down my leg...we glance at the desk and notice a sign that says. "If you have waited more than 20 minutes, please tell Receptionist". My girlfriend goes and lets them know that I am STILL waiting, and oh, that by the way...SHE'S IN LABOR!!!! We are laughing so hard at this point, because in a million years, I couldn't have scripted this. Other women in the waiting room are asking if I'm ok. We are joking that THEY may get to deliver my baby.
Minutes later, a nurse comes out and casually calls me back. Wait for it. She hands me a cup and asks me to get them a "sample"...
I asked her.."a sample of amniotic fluid??" She looks at me perplexed, where I then begin screaming.."I'M IN LABOR!!!!" I mean, hello, my pants are soaked!!!!
She rushes me back to the OB who quickly looks and says, "Yep..you're gonna have a baby!" Luckily, the hospital was right next door, so my girlfriend loaded me up and drove me over to the hospital. We walk up to the desk and tell them we need the Labor and Delivery Floor. Obviously, they thought we were visiting a new Baby, because they moved as slow as Christmas. This little old lady ushered us onto the elevator..my girlfriend and I are just laughing nonstop. We exit the elevator, and the sweet lady asks..""Who's the patient your looking for?"" We say.."Me!!! I'm having a baby!!"
Oh goodness...well, lets get this poor lady a wheel chair..
FINALLY, I make it to a real hospital bed, with real nurses, and know that I'm going to be OK. My girlfriend stays with me the whole time, holding my hand and seeing Waaay more than she hoped to. She even got to witness my epidural...woo hoo!! My husband finally arrived, along with all of the family that I had called on the way there.
My husband, Aunt and Grandmother were there in the delivery room with me, helping me every step of the way
The epidural took, pushing began..and then it stalled. My poor baby just couldn't make it under the pelvic bone. (Sorry..but this a Birthday post..so you KNOW we're going to talk about the BIRTH!).We tried for 2 1/2 hrs to get him out, and then finally with a little "help" he was delivered. Our healthy 7 lb 2 oz baby Boy was here!!!

We cried tears of joy. I was finally a MOTHER. I had dreamed of this day for years, and suddenly, I was holding MY baby. Now what? Sheer panic took over and I was scared. What if he cried? What if he got sick? What if I didn't know what to do? How was I going to do this with my Family a state away??


Well...fast forward 8 years...and I have figured it out...I think...











I'm not perfect, I mess up, sometimes I don't have the right answers for his questions...but we are figuring out this Parenthood thing. And I believe I have a pretty awesome 8 year old to show for it.

He has taught me so much about Life, selflessness, sacrifice, and faith...


I love him with all of my being and pray that he grows into the strong, Christian young man that we are sculpting him to be. We know that God has given him this huge gracious heart, and we have no doubt that his future is going to revolve around it. He is destined to help people..I see that already is his kind, caring nature. I'm not sure exactly WHAT he was put on this Earth to do...but I know that he will change lives.. I can just feel it...









We celebrated his BIG Day with Family, Presents and CAKE!!!
You know as a parent that you have great, deserving kids, when you, the parent, are SO excited to give them their gifts. I just love to see my kids faces light up when we are able to give them something that they have truly wanted for so long. We make them wait for it. Build the anticipation. and then when they receive it...it's that more special..











we hope that his 8th year brings him lots of happiness, fun and fulfillment...

we love you, Nick!!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, sweet Boy!!!