He has made me smile daily for eleven years. He has had so many great accomplishments. His first big accomplishment was starting to breathe. He wasn't breathing at birth. I have always been thankful that he was born in a room that was connected to the NICU. I knew when they took the baby and ran out of the room that there was something wrong. I hadn't heard him cry or anything. They took him and ran. My heart broke. I had watched enough "A Baby Story" shows on TLC (I believe), that I knew they would always show you your baby before taking the baby to weigh it and stuff. I kept telling my husband that something was wrong, to find out what was wrong. It seemed like an eternity, but it was a matter of maybe five- to ten-minutes, before a nurse came out and asked Keith, "Do you want to see your baby?"
Keith looked at me. I said "Yes!"
The first time I saw my son was after I had been stapled up (yes, stapled instead of stitched, whole different story...). They were rolling me out of the room and my husband came out holding this little fellow. He was completely wrapped up from head to toe, except for his little face. He was as white as a ghost, but I figured that was because Keith and I are his parents. We are not dark by any stretch of the imagination. I was told that it was because he hadn't been breathing, he hadn't gotten his color back yet.
When I first saw my little one, I instantly had tears well up in my eyes. I told him, "I am your Mommy and I love you! Happy Birthday!" I didn't realize that would be the last time I would see him for the next 6-7 hours. He spent the next four days in NICU. I made many, many trips down the hall to see him.
Before I saw him again, my husband was allowed to go down to see him. I had to stay connected to a lot of monitors. My blood pressure dips tremendously at giving birth. I didn't realize this until my third child when the nurse that was watching me told me that my blood pressure was close to the level where I could die. She also had to keep reminding me to breathe. Yes, should be something someone would remember, but apparently not. It isn't something I usually think about, but it keeps happening.
When my husband went down, I had him count his fingers and toes. I wanted a full report on the baby. Since all I had seen was his perfect little face, I had no clue how the rest of him was. I would love him regardless of any flaws, but I guess it is just something a mom wants to know. I had him bring the camera and take pictures so I could see him again.
He was perfect. Except his poor little head, the head was perfect, but it was horribly bruised. Between being stuck in my pelvis and having forceps used, his head was bruised. It hurt him to be held because of the bruises. It was very sad! He was a little trooper though. When he had a feeding tube through his nose, he hated it. He somehow, to the nurse's surprise, managed to get his finger up between the nose and the tube and pull it out. He didn't like that thing at all.
The day I was released from the hospital, he was released also. I was so thankful that he was allowed to come home with me. The NICU nurses were wonderful, and so understanding. I felt like such a novice (let's face it, I was) at everything. They could change a diaper in like 5-10 seconds. I spent a good few minutes trying to get the thing on him.
He became a big brother at 13 mos and 13 days. He has been a wonderful big brother. I wasn't allowed to hold him until my daughter was 6-8 weeks old. After a c-section, you aren't supposed to carry anything heavier than the baby. He was heavier than her!
My sister sent me some pictures of him today. It has brought back memories over the years. I am so proud of the boy he has become! Happy Eleventh Birthday to my little guy!
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To the left, he had just enjoyed a good dinner of spaghetti. He was famous for falling asleep in his spaghetti. He was two years-old.
He wasn't supposed to climb trees. He was 4 years-old. I never wanted to deal with broken bones. He wasn't very far off the ground. I think he is flexing his muscles!
He was two years-old. I would pile pillows around him so he wouldn't fall off the couch. I think it worked well!
I really wish I knew what they are looking at! This was taken Aug 16, 2007. They are at the Buffalo Zoo.
This was taken May 30, 2009. I think he is entertaining his little sister and his cousin!
This was taken March 13, 2007, so just a few days before he turned 4. His little sister looks like she wanted a kiss :) He has an amazing smile!
Another photo from the zoo! He allowed a close up. I often wish I knew what he was thinking!
This was taken 8/1/2009. Looks like we were just having a good time hanging out at our apartment. One of us don't look as happy as the other two :)
I can still see this day in my head. My mom had put this area next to the dishwasher for things that the kids could play with. He rode over and flipped the dump truck over and started going through it. His baby sister is just looking around trying to figure out what was going on. I believe he was close to 21 months old.
This was August 13, 2011. We were at a softball tournament back east in Hinsdale. The children loved walking their furry cousin, Millie.
This was Mar 14, 2014. He got to open one of his birthday gifts. It was the one gift he wanted the most, Super Paper Mario! He was so excited to finally have it!
This is today! His little sister made him turquoise cupcakes with green frosting and M&M's. This is me and my boys! Happy 11th Birthday!
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