Happy Birthday my big 5 year old!

Dear L,

Happy birthday, big boy! I cannot believe you are 5 years old today. You have changed so much over the years and you amaze me everyday. I wish I could see you today but it is your time with your dad. Hopefully I will get to talk to you soon. I miss you very much.

You are a very special boy to me because I never thought I would have you. It took so long for me to get pregnant with you that I just knew that was it. No more. And, then surprise! I didn't even know because I had gotten so used to the "fake" pregnancy symptoms that I just thought I was getting the flu. But, no, oh no. It was you. I nicknamed you bug the day I found out you weren't the flu! Grandpa hated that I called you bug but Nana and I loved it.

You were to be due July 1. Very close to Daddy's birthday, K's birthday and Uncle B's too! (as well as many others in our family.... Tons of June/July bdays). Since you were due near K's bday, we decided to move her party to the beginning of June. A month early, right? Well you decided to start messing with me. You kept me on my toes wondering from Mid-May, would you come early?

But, you didn't, and given your size, the doctor and I decided to help you come early. So I picked the day..... June 24, 2002...... I went to the hospital to be induced. Of course the report was I was 5 cm dilated..... so you would have come on your own very soon anyway.

Meds started at 8:00 am by 1:30 pm, you were cleaned up and in my arms. Labor didn't really start until around 10:30.... water broke at 12:30, you were out shortly after 1:00.

8 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches tall.

Unfortunately, you broke your collar bone being born. Despite that you were a really good baby. Very laid back. Ate well, slept well, very alert and could hold your head pretty well.

You changed so much that first year. You really wanted to get up and run with the big kids! You loved K and L (and still do of course!). You crawled at 5 mths, walked by 10. One time you were about 12 months old and you were running around with H playing war or guns or something..... I remember this because you were making the machine gun sounded and I thought how strange it sounded for a little 1 year old to be playing that game and you knew how to make that sound! It was amazing!

You have learned everything so fast. And, on one hand that makes me so proud and on the other so sad because I really didn't get to enjoy you as a baby.... You never really were a baby exactly. You were always trying to be older. I guess that is why I hold on to anything that is "baby" like with you. That is probably why you get away with so much and why I give you pretty much everything you want.

You start Kindergarten this year, my baby. I am going to be so proud of you because you are so very smart. I know you will love going to school. You won't even be home to me for another month. I miss you so much. You make me smile and laugh everyday.

Anyway, baby, I love you and can't wait to talk to you to tell you Happy Birthday!!!!!