Your beginning

Dear Eddie,

I have so many memories of your birth and my pregnancy that I'm sure this will not be the only story I will tell you.  I never knew love like I have since the day you came in to my life. I don't mean the day you were born, but the day I found out that I was pregnant. On that day I knew that I would do anything to protect you, I knew that I would sacrifice anything to give you the world, and that I would trade my life for yours without hesitation. Those months waiting for you to be born, it was just me and you. Although I was surrounded by people who loved us, Grandma, Auntie Adri, Daddy, Nina, Grandpa and so many others, it was that time that I was the only one who could truly experience you growing. Daddy would feel you move, and you moved so much that we could actually watch you move under my skin, but I felt every twitch, every hiccup and every kick. It was an amazing time, I got to have you all to myself. I cherished it, because I knew that soon I would have to share you. Even then I knew being your mother was never going to be simple. When I was about 7 months pregnant you decided to give me a big scare. You decided it would be fun to tease us and pretend you were going to come out early. The doctors call it premature labor. I spent the next 8 weeks on bed rest, running back and forth to appointments, and praying that you would wait until it was time for you to be born. Thankfully you did and the day you were born was the greatest day of my life. Unfortunately for me I had to have a c-section. So Daddy was the first person you saw, I got to see you for a quick moment until they had to whisk you off to be checked out. Of course Daddy went with you and he never left your side. I stayed in the recovery room, and waited somewhat impatiently to be able to hold you. Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Tracy were there with me. Grandma kept leaving to go to the nursery where you were with Daddy and the nurses to check on you. Before we went to the hospital I made Daddy swear that he would not leave your side. So when Grandma went to the nursery she tried to get him to let her in, but he wouldn't leave you to go open the door. This did not make Grandma happy. She kept coming back to the recovery room to let me know that Daddy wouldn't let her in. I just had to laugh. Finally she got in to the nursery just as they were giving you your first bath. Then finally I was able to go up to my room. After I got in and settled Daddy walked in with you. He had the biggest smile on his face. I don't think he stopped smiling for days. Finally I got to hold you. You were GORGEOUS! I was so overwhelmed with love, happiness, and pure joy. I had to share you now though, so I handed you off to Grandpa, then Auntie Adri, and Grandma. Everyone just loved you. Later that day Daddy went to pick up Grandma Linda, she was very anxious to see you, just like everyone else she loved you instantly. You see you have a very special place in our family, you are the first grandchild. That may not seem that important, but it is still very special. Although you are so special and unique that it wouldn't have mattered if you were first or last. Nana and Grandma Lola (your Great Great Grandma) and lots of Mommy's friends came to see you too. Once everyone had gone home Daddy and I had you all to ourselves. It was amazing to look at you, hold you and know that now we were a family. You made us a family. Daddy was amazingly helpful he changed your first diapers, tended to you and helped me. I expect that you will do the same when you have a child, if you don't you will get a stern talking to from both of us. The next morning I woke up to find Daddy, on the cot the hospital had for him, with you under the blankets in a sort of fort. It was the cutest thing.

Two days after you were born, Christmas Eve, we got to take you home. We dressed you in your Santa outfit that Grandma had given me for my baby shower, took your newborn pictures and waited to be released. When we finally were allowed to leave the nurses gave us a big stocking to take home our precious gift in. When you were born we were living with Grandma and Auntie Adri, and they were waiting on the stairs when we got home. They were so excited to see you. The next morning was Christmas, again we dressed you in your Santa outfit. We put you in your stocking and placed you under the tree surrounded by your presents and Christmas ornaments. We took lots of pictures. It was the best Christmas ever. Having you was such an amazing gift. Since we celebrate Jesus's birthday on Christmas I always felt pretty special that I had a son at Christmas time. You had plenty of visitors over the next few days; Nina, Nino, Sean Michael, Harrison, Grandpa, GiGi, and Kiki (who you share your birthday with). Finally when you were about a week old we took you to meet Grandma G. Just like everyone else, she loved you the minute she laid eyes on you.

We enjoyed our new life and our new role and I loved how you just charmed everyone who saw you. Even when you were that small everyone who met you couldn't resist you. 6 years later not much has changed. You are very special, almost everyone who meets you still loves you instantly. I can't wait to see how much trouble that is going to get you into with girls (and their dads).