12/10/2006
I cannot help but reflect on this day 8 years ago. On December 9th, I had gone to school and taught all day. I didn't feel very well and thought I might have a stomach bug or be getting sick. Seriously...and I was two days overdue at that point. :) After school, we went to Rogers to a friend's house for dinner. I began to feel worse. The one thing that felt somewhat good was to get down on my hands and knees and rock. (I would slip off by myself to do that, not a public show anyone wants to see a very pregnant woman doing...) I just thought, "Great, I am close to having a baby and I am getting sick..." I couldn't eat much of the meal because I was so uncomfortable. I kept standing, holding my breath, and sitting back down. I just felt bad all over. Finally we decided to leave. On the way home, Mark asked me to tell him when I felt the "pains" I felt. I thought that was just silly, but I did it. They were every 3-5 minutes. He thought we should go to the hospital. I thought that was silly too. You see, I had always asked, "What do contractions feel like?" Everyone said, "You will know when you have them..." Apparently that is not true. I didn't have a clue that was what was happening, and it sure didn't feel like I thought it would. Needless to say, in the next three hours, I was admitted to the hospital (reluctantly). I wish I could say it was an easy labor and delivery...my pregnancy had been a breeze. Hunter didn't come until nearly five o'clock the next afternoon; we had been awak for over 36 hours. We were exhausted. Finally, he arrived. Now, we never were interested in knowing gender, but doctors assume you already know. So he finally is out, the doctor and nurses are cooing, "Oh, you have a little peanut..." (He weighed a little less than 6 pounds.) And all we wanted to know was, "WHAT IS IT?" When they said a little boy, I started crying (probably out of exhaustion). "I don't know how to take care of a little boy." I just remember that tiny little face, those little lips smacking, and a head full of dark hair. Wow. What an overwhelming feeling. Suddenly I have all of this responsibility for this one little person who is completely dependent upon me.
Fast forward eight years. I have been a little sad this birthday because I realize that he is growing up so quickly. I wonder how many more times he will have a "birthday theme" to share with his family, when will friends become the more popular choice to hang out with. All that said, thank you for praying for his party day yesterday. I was worried because it was going to be a bit smaller (more intimate) than usual. But I asked him after it was over, and he said it was his "best ever". (Not really sure why, but I will take it :) He was more involved in this one than he has ever been. He helped me decorate with his tractors and chose the menu for lunch. Of course, presents were fun. He got a Playstation 2 and one of his favorite gifts...an electric football field game. I didn't have brothers, but apparently it has been a classic toy for boys for many years. We enjoyed our time with family and the memories he will always have of the celebration of his big day. Happy birthday, Hunter Cloud. We love you! |
