It is 10:33pm on May 10, 2009. Exactly one year ago at this time Drew and I had packed up the Xterra and were walking out the door to the hospital to have Cash. I remember looking around making sure we hadn't forgotten anything and thinking to myself, "This house will never be the same. Our lives will never be the same." Man, was that an understatement. I cried telling my mom the doctor on call wanted me to go on in to the hospital and told her I was scared that they'd send me home, but also scared that it'd be the real thing. It was an evening of unknowns that would lead to a year of unknowns - scary, exciting, but most of all incredible.
Since that night I've learned so many things...the first thing I learned was that, in my opinion, an IV hurts worse than an epidural. And that you really don't mind having a ton of people staring at your "mysterious lady parts" or sticking their hands up there as long as they can get that baby out! Or that my child's head, that had measured up to 4 weeks ahead during my pregnancy, really wouldn't fit through my pelvis and I'd actually need the c-section I kept asking my OB about...
Then there was the whole get that diaper on quick or you'll get sprayed lesson, and the magnitude of a "poonami" as I like to call it and the unfortunate loss of an adorable onesie because of it. I've caught puke in my hand on several occasions, changed multiple diapers in a matter of an hour (because babies have such perfect timing!), sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" over and over and over, repeated phrases such as "no-no", "ew! yucky!!", "uh-oh", and of course - "mommy loves you!". I've learned to try to stop catching him every time he starts to fall down, but am always there should he need a little hug and kiss to make it better. I'm still working on letting him eat bites of food larger than my pinky toenail. ;)
But the lessons that have impacted my life the most over the last year are the ones that have reminded of how much my parents have loved me (or must have loved me to put up with some of this stuff) and how much God loves us. Being a parent is one of the best jobs I've ever had. I thank God for Cash every single day...usually multiple times a day. He is the biggest blessing in my life aside from Drew and my relationship with Christ. I can't imagine a day without his smile and laughter and look forward to all the new lessons I'll learn as we venture through this next year together...
My very last belly picture - 39 weeks and 5 days
I know its graphic, but its the very image I see whenever I think of meeting him for the first time.
...and then there were 3. :)
Happy Birthday, Cash!
4 comments:
What a precious message! I am crying as I read this...You are an amazing mother. I have so enjoyed watching this past year. I can't believe that Cash is a year old. He is so awesome! Happy Birthday Cash!
this is such a neat post... you need to print it out and save it for him someday... I love it! I think I will do try and do this for Tate's birthday's too... and of course this lil' guy. Wouldn't that be the coolest gift when they were getting married or something big to give them a book with a letter for each birthday... !?!? Uhh... BRILLIANT! hehe... hope you are feeling well. I'm as big as a house!!!!
This is a beautiful post from a beautiful Mama. I loved it!
We love you all...you know that.
:) Jodi
I am proud to be your parent, Bethany. And you so gracefully worded the experience of a life changed forever.
Reading this would encourage those entering parenthood for the first time. When we say to others, "Your lives will never be the same," the message seems like a slam against kids and what a drag they are to your care-free lifestyle. But you have just put a sense of joy and wonder into the whole, wonderful experience of being a mom/parent.
You are a great mom and Drew is a great dad. Cash and Corrine are blessed to have parents like the two of you.
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