My Maxy-Pie turns one whole year old today and I have such a mix of emotions bubbling up in my heart! Maybe every mom feels this way on her children's birthdays? I'm so thrilled to watch him grow so quickly and learn new things so fast but at the same time, I received a "Your Toddler: Week 1" email in my inbox today and I'm SOOO not ready for him to be anything other than a tiny baby!
I've been thinking about the 14th non-stop for a few days now. Again, maybe every mom does this? I kinda need to just write these memories down since everything about that day, the days leading up to it, and this entire past year make me smile. And I don't want to forget any of it! Prepare yourselves . . . this is sure to be long-winded and more-than-slightly weepy!! (Totally understand if you want to skip the boring mommy-logue and just check out the pictures!)
Max was born early Wednesday morning. The previous few weeks I had been driving myself and everyone else crazy with nesting and preparing the house for his arrival as well as those old enough to judge how grody the bathrooms and dustboards were (read: the mothers!!). I asked Dave to replace the chain thingy that attaches to the toilet handle so that it flushed without running all day, and before I knew it, that 5-minute project turned into a gaping hole in the floor where the toilet once stood. Um, the weekend before giving birth and family coming and I was stressed that everyone would need to share a bucket! Luckily, Sam pitched in and helped and I didn't have to kill the hubs (or call a plumber).
Things under control and with two more weeks until my due date, I calmly reassured the hubs that no, his dad didn't need to come down yet as there was no chance of going into labor *quite* yet. But Sunday night, after a day of what I thought was just extremely annoying gas pains, I totally freaked out and asked him to call his dad back and ask if maybe he *could* come down after all?? And being the awesome grandpa that he is, he was here by Monday afternoon. I had meatloaf and oatmeal cookies ready for him as an early thank you!! Tuesday afternoon Dave and I were at the hospital, fully expecting Max to make his debut (no contractions that I could feel, but I'll spare you the details of why we needed to go). On the way there, we decided on his middle name together.
While waiting for an l/d room to be examined (they were COMPLETELY full due to the full moon and it being the 13th?) we totally snuck some burgers and chips from the cafeteria since we were both starving! So naughty, but lesson learned from having Sam on an empty tummy!! After a quick exam and listen to the little guy's heartbeat, we were sent home with directions to call my doctor when contractions were 3-5 minutes apart.
That night I was feeling really uncomfortable and went to lie down after dinner. With contractions 10 minutes apart, I went to soak in the tub, watching the crazy lightening from huge storm we were having outside. This was at midnight. At 12:30 when I started timing again they were suddenly only three minutes apart. Dave and I called the doctor, let Grandpa know we were leaving and raced to the hospital downtown (as fast as possible with all those speed cameras along the way!)
We were checked in, strapped to the monitor and had lots of good numbing agents flowing through my body by 3:00 (you'd never know I had been bawling like a baby from the horrible IV insertions from this picture, right??!).
I remember the nurse dimming the lights and telling us to get some rest but 45 minutes late I was telling her we were ready! Three pushes and 30 minutes later, he was here.
And perfect.
All 6 pounds 14 ounces of amazing tiny-ness.
Five days early, just like his big brother. Dave couldn't stop taking pictures of him.
I couldn't stop snuggling him. I don't think a mother ever gets used to how little and wonderfully squishy a newborn is.
So much wonder in those big milky blue eyes.
Hi Dad.
Big brother meets little brother at last. (Even then, Max only preferred to nurse lying on the bed next to me.)
Max slept during their first introduction.
But Sam was quite intrigued.
Grandpa and Max.
Then it occurred to me that Sam was much more intrigued with how the buttons moved the bed around!
So peaceful and adorable.
My boys.
My family.
And now you're a whole year old. How is it possible that time can pass so quickly? I hope you know we love you brighter than the sun shines and fuller than the fullest moon. You're growing into a smart, snuggly, and terrifically funny little guy who can't get enough of his brother's attention. My Max Henry.
