7 years...

How can 7 years go by so quickly? It seems like yesterday that I was newly pregnant. Those 9 months seemed to take so much longer than the last 7 years.

Today is Wyatt's 7th birthday and we just finished his birthday party. We had all his classmates and 2 of his cousins out for a bowling party at the new Raymond's Bowl. I think it went very well. It seemed like the kids had fun and everything ran smoothly. The important thing to me, though, is that Wyatt had fun, which I think he did. He is such a special kid that I think he would have had fun doing just about anything. Seriously. How did I manage to get so lucky as to have had a child like him? He is so eager to please, such a rules kid and such a nice boy. I hear it from everybody and it is evident in the way his friends treat him. His brother and sister look up to him, as well. They both light up when he gets home from school and can't wait to play with him.

Wyatt represents so much for our family. He came at a difficult time in his dad's life. Todd had just lost his father and was grieving over that fact, so, I think he helped him to heal. I remember Todd coming in the day after he was born and just hugging us and crying and telling us how important we both were to him. I had never seen him express emotion of that caliber. Todd also looked at him in amazement and commented about how this was the first person he "knew" who was blood-related to him. It surprised me that he made that comment. Luckily, Wyatt looks just like his dad.

The day I went into labor with Wyatt, Thursday, January 26th, I was working at Dr. Lakemaker's office. My contractions started at about 9:45 am and were every 6 minutes. I called my doctor at about 11:30 and they told me to go get checked. I called Todd and told him and he asked if i wanted him to come right now. I told him to go have lunch and then call me. The contrx never stopped so i had him come get me and we headed to the hospital. I was definitely in early labor, and I think the doctor took pity on the worst rash she "had ever seen" and kept me to help things along. I was so not ready, though. I was 15 days early and had nothing packed. My poor SIL had to wade through my dirty bedroom to get the stuff I needed.

It was a long night of labor and Wyatt was finally born the next morning of the 27th at 5:47 am. He was such an adorable baby with a head full of really dark hair. Everyone came to see him at the hospital. It was exciting, yet overwhelming at the same time. I could not believe that this little miracle had just been born. I knew things were never going to be the same.

And here I am, 7 years later, with one of the most incredible people that has ever come into my life. Happy Birthday Wyatt. You make me proud every day of your life. I hope to someday be the kind of person you already are. I love you.

Happy Birthday, Henry...

Today is my middle guy's 4th birthday. That age is so strange for me because he is no longer a toddler, in my eyes, once he's past 3 but he is not a "big boy", either no matter how much he insists he is. Four is like the limbo of ages--not a toddler but not a school aged child, either. I know that makes no sense...I have a hard time explaining it to myself.

Henry is my special boy. It took him awhile to join our family, but when he did, he did with fireworks. His pregnancy and labor are things I will never forget about him. We had a difficult time concieving after Wyatt was born and finally after 16 months and 2 miscarriages, Henry was on his way. His pregnancy was pretty uneventful, but his labor!

I will never forget the day I went into labor with him. I had gone shooping with Debi, Spencer and Wyatt and spent the whole morning at Woodfield. I headed home about 1:30 and immediately the contractions started. I got home, put Wy down for a nap and laid down with a glass of water and the contractions didn't lessen. At 6:00, we decided to head for the hospital and got there about 7:15. They told me they were going to keep me and we then had to find someone to take Wyatt. We were finally able to get ahold of Heather and Justin. In the meantime, my doctor decided to break my bag before my Epidural was in place. Never, again. I turned into an evilina. Heather walked in with Wyatt to see how I was doing and the only thing I said was "Get him out of here." She and Justin promptly left. Luckily his labor and delivery were very quick and pretty easy once the meds kicked in. He arrived at 10:57 that night.

His first month with us was rough. The poor baby had reflux something fierce and it wasn't until we started giving him cereal in his bottle on the advice of the doctor, that things started to get better. He was like a different child. He has always been very independent and stubborn....simply feisty. He has a mind of his own and no one will tell him any differently. He sticks up for himself and like his brother has a strong sense of right and wrong.

Henry started school this year and it seems to be going well. We have our first conference next week and I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't nervous. It will be interesting to hear what an outsode perspective is of Henry and I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little defensive of him. I am afraid of him living in his brother's shadow and hate when people compare the two. Our families have a bad habit of doing this and I know that teachers have a tendency to do it, too, so I'm apprehensive. I'm sure everything will be fine. It always is.

Happy Birthday, my blonde, scrappy, little boy. No matter what you say, you ARE my baby and always will be. There are so many things I love about you besides what I listed above. I love how fiercely loyal you are to your family--you always stick up for anyone you feel is being wronged. I love how affectionate you are and how you love to cuddle. I love your independence. I love how your personality is like your dad's. I love and admire you and am grateful you finally came into my life.

My little Lector...

The school that Wyatt goes to has a weekly Mass that the whole student body attends. Each week a different class does the readings, responsorial psalms, intentions and gift-bearing. This was the second time that Wyatt was picked to do a reading. Mrs. Rysso sends home the reading a week ahead of time so that we can practice at home, which we do. Wyatt has a tendency to fidget and rock back and forth. The kid is always moving. So, when we practice I am telling him, "Stand Still. Speak Clearly. Louder." because he also has a tendency to mumble. He was getting so frustrated that Todd and I backed off of him.

Yesterday, Wyatt went up to the microphone and BELTED out his reading. His dad and I just looked at each other and kind of giggled because he definitely spoke loudly and clearly. I looked at Todd and said, "well, he's got that covered." He did wonderfully, though. He was a teensy bit louder than he should have been, but spoke so clearly it was easy to hear him from the back of the church.

I am so proud of that big, little guy. I should have had faith that he would do well since he has already done it. I, unfortunately, projected my own nervousness onto him which is a stress that my sensitive guy does not need. It is something I am really aware of and am trying to work on.

Life Changes...

So, I am the middle daughter of 3 girls. My older sister is 2 years older and my little sister is 4 years younger. We are all married to really great guys, and I am the only one with children. So far. Heather, the youngest, announced with great fanfare on Christmas Day that she is expecting her first baby and is due August 13. It was such a fun moment that had us all crying with happiness and excitement. It was also very bittersweet. Heather and Justin moved to Norfolk, VA three days after announcing their news. It is the first time we have lived this far apart ever in our lives. I thought it was difficult to have her three hours away. This is almost unbearable. I am having a difficult time even typing this let alone disussing it with anyone. I barely even got to say "good-bye" to her.

This niece or nephew will be the first one for me on my side of the family and it is difficult knowing that I won't get to know this baby as well as Heather knows my kids. I don't resent them for moving. I completely understand. I really do; however, it is still hard knowing that I will be a stranger to her babies. It is also hard having almost all of my family living so far away. Yeah, yeah...there's the internet and e-mail and phone calls. It's. Not. The. Same.

This factored with the fact that my "baby" will be 7 at the end of this month makes me wish for the very thing my parents told me I would when I grew up. That time would slow down, maybe even stop for awhile.

My Favorite Age.

My daughter, Lauren, is now 20 months old and I have to say, it is my favorite age.

She has always had a laid-back personality, but now, it is really starting to shine through. I was doing my hair the other day and I turned on the radio and she immediately appeared in the bathroom and started dancing. The next day I was in there getting ready for the day, and, again, there she was asking, "On? On?" and pointing at the radio. The girl can bust a move. She is also heading into the "terrible twos." LC can pitch a fit when she wants to, but, thankfully it isn't all that often.

It is interesting to watch her interact with her brothers. Her eyes literally light up when Henry gets up from a nap or Wyatt is picked up from school. However, those poor boys can be bullied by her. You would think it would be the other way around. She is girlie-girl with a tomboy touch. It will be interesting to watch the interactions as they get older, but, it is my hope that the affection they have for each other at this moment stays for a lifetime.

A "Bathroom" Moment...

When I was about 7 or 8, my mom bought my dad a bathrobe for Christmas. She had taken my sisters and I out shopping and we helped to pick it out. When my dad got home from work the day we bought it, my little sister, Heather, informed my him that we bought him a "bathroom" for Christmas. We all tried to shush her, but dad didn't hear her and asked her what she said. She repeated, "we bought you a bathroom for Christmas." My mom became upset and stomped upstairs leaving my other sister and I to explain to my dad what Heather was talking about and why mom was upset. It is still a story talked about in our family today.

Fast forward to Christmas 2006...Todd, my husband, took the boys to work with him Christmas Eve and to run some other errands to pick up presents for some family members. They came home and Henry comes inside and immediately says to me, "Mommy, we bought you a present." Wyatt tells him to shush and I look at Todd and he points at a gift he is holding for my sister and her DH and says, "he's talking about this" and points to the gift basket. Henry then says, "No, we bought you a present, Mommy." I then catch on that Todd did in fact get me a present, but I tell Henry, "I see the present you bought Henry. It's beautiful." At this point, Henry loses his patience and repeats again, "No, Mommy. We bought you a ring. For your finger." I look at Todd and start laughing and crying at the same time. I hug him as I ask him to please not be mad at the little guy who was just so excited about his present for me.

The moral of the story is to never tell an almost 4 year-old something to be kept a surprise unless you want your own "bathroom" moment. So, 25 years after the first one, I get to have my own to remember forever.

BTW, the ring...absolutely beautiful. It is a heart-shaped Garnet surrounded by Diamonds--the birthstones of the three kids. I will cherish it always. The second best part of the gift is that Todd won a promotion at the store, so, it was FREE!! Can you believe that?

Observations

Today is the funeral of President Gerald Ford and being the admirer of Pomp and Circumstance I am, I was watching the ceremonies this A.M. The kids were playing in the rooms around me and, as always, my 7 year old, Wyatt, stopped and watched it for a minute. It was at the moment when the casket was coming down the steps and the camera panned towards a wide, far shot and he asked why there were people on the roof of the Capitol. I had to rewind because I hadn't even noticed them. I simply told him that they were soldiers that were there to make sure everyone stayed safe. It amazes me on a daily basis the things that Wyatt notices/figures out. I have never met a more observant, astute little boy. It makes it difficult sometimes because I never know how far to go with explanations because I don't want to overload him with negative facts.

On a lighter note, Henry, my 4 year old, pointed out that President Ford died because he fell in an American Flag trap. This after seeing the flag-draped coffin. That kid cracks.me.up.

A New Year's Resolution

I have been reading others' blogs for quite some time and kept thinking that I needed to start one. Who would be interested, though? I finally realized that I am interested in keeping, for posterity, the thoughts I have about myself and about being who I am as a wife, mother, nurse, woman. Maybe in years to come my children will read this and realize that although I have made many mistakes, I "tried my best"--as Wyatt always says--and although it wasn't always good enough, it was a learning experience for all of us.

So, welcome to my life, no matter how "Groundhog" dayish it is.