A Natural born Hiker

So one of our many adventures during our Spring Break week was to take a hike around the beautiful Lake Martin.  It was roughly a 4  mile hike.  Maybe a little more, maybe a little less.  Anyway we all started off strong.  Meredith ran ahead and was the Leader of the pack with Uncle Alex and her Nanny.  Noah hiked a little with them and a little with his dad and occasionally hung back with me and his Mimi.  Approximately three quarters of the way through, Margot decided she wanted to be carried and Noah decided he did too.  Unfortunately Alex was way ahead with Meredith and Margot had secured the prominent position on top of Josh's shoulders.  Which led to Noah having to hike with me and his Mimi.  Now let me just say this hike was a rugged hike.  Mimi fell once...and we all laughed.  She used a walking stick for most of it.  You went up a lot of steep hills and down the same.  You walked along the edges of some pretty steep drops down to the lake.  You went over trees and log bridges.  It was very natural and rugged terrain.  Probably not the best hike for a 3 and 6 year old, but the views were breathtaking.  That being said we were thinking we were almost through and then we kept going....then we thought it has to be almost done....and nope.  So after doing this thing of psyching ourselves out...out of the blue....Noah chimes....


When I started this hike I was Awesome....and now.....now.....now I'm just BULLSHIT!  BULLSHIT, that's all I am.

And everyone who wanted to go on this hike is BULLSHIT too!

My mom and I were rolling, it almost became impossible to finish due to the hysterics... but after another mile or so we and Mr. Bullshit had completed the hike.

School Time Sweetness

Last night when Josh and I got home at 10pm we realized our master bedroom (which has it's own air conditioning unit) was rather warm.  At 2am we realized the unit was not working.  Bummer.  Well I actually thought something besides bummer, but I was too tired to really think it.  I crawled out of bed and went up to Meredith's bed to sleep for 4 more hours.  At some point I heard my husband downstairs moving, which clued me in it was time to get up.

I didn't, I rolled over and pretended to not hear him.  Who am I kidding, I do that most mornings.  About 10 minutes later I heard the little pitter pattering of feet and realized Noah had come to his sister's room.  I was about to jump up, thinking he was looking for me and then realized he didn't know I was there.  It was about then I heard...

"Mere-dif, do you want to get up early and go play with me.  If you get up now we can play a little bit before school, that way I won't miss you all day and not be able to play with you."

She groggled something back at him...and didn't move.  Then he followed with...

"Well okay, if you change your mind I'll be in the play room, playing cars.  Okay.  Love you."


Let it be known that no matter how you feel about one another as adults, at 5 and 7 you loved each other dearly.  A mother's wish is that, that never changes.

What he Says.....Private Parts - A Hysterical Conversation

The other day Noah rushed in....

"Momma my privates are bleeding!"

"What?!?!?"

"My PRIVATES are BLEEDING!!!!"

"Calm down and let me see."

My very modest child, pulls down his britches and shows me the bleeding...it's not his privates....it's the skin on his body above them....a tiny little scratch that is not indeed bleeding.

"Buddy, your privates are not bleeding, you just have a little scratch....you are okay."

Insert my overly dramatic two year old, who is not modest...in fact she wears her "shakabooty" all the time."

"My pwivates are bweeding too!  My pwivates are bweeding too, Momma!"

"Are not Margot!"

"Yes dey are Wo-wah...Wook mom....Yes dey are!"

"Let me see."

Hurries to pull down her britches too....afterall she loves her "shakabooty";  while my overly-sensitive, very concrete 5 year old complains she doesn't know what the hell she is talking about.

"Margot your privates ARE NOT BLEEDING....in fact YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE PRIVATES!"

"Noah, yes she does have privates."

"Yes Wo-wah I do have pwivates.....see and it's bweeding!"

"What that little butt right there....that's not privates."

"Yes, buddy that little butt right there is her privates....it's called a vagina.... and Margot it's not bleeding, we have several years for that."

"See Wowah!"

Read-a-thon winners

Every year the kids' school does an annual fundraiser called Read-a-thon.  Basically for a week the kids read as much as they possibly can, minutes counting both at school and home and then the child who reads the most minutes wins.  Well not exactly that simple....our school acknowledges the top reader in each classroom, and they also divide the competition between the lower elementary and upper elementary.  They then award the top three fundraisers for the school medals as well.

This year, read-a-thon was awesome.  Not just because of this either.'

That's right, my sweet Noah got top reader for his classroom.  He was so excited and surprised.

And my big girl, I know at that point she was anxiously awaiting hearing her name being called for top reader in her class.  That's all she wanted was to win.  And when we asked her what exactly she wanted to "win"?  She said she just wanted her name called at the assembly.  She wanted to be a "top reader."  And a top reader she was.  Because after they called the top readers for each class the started calling the top readers for the lower elementary.....and guess what.....

She won, 1st place.

It was so aweome, not that she won, but the determination she had, and how hard she worked for it.  The child literally read during all of her free time for the week.  Who am I kidding, she's still reading during her free time.

And her classroom, won the most minutes for the lower elementary and so they got an Ipad for their classroom!

Here are the rest of the big winners!

But no, that above is not the only reason read-a-thon was so awesome.  The picture below was another reason....

It was awesome, because our awesome parent volunteers and awesome music teacher worked on this.  Imagine the kids singing this, with drums and all.  It was AMAZING.  I am blessed to have such a great school to send the kids too.

His first award at big school

Yesterday when I picked up Noah at his classroom door, he had something big to tell me. I knew because of the excitement in his eyes and the way his words were flying out of his mouth so fast they were getting all jumbled.

I got him from the doorway and gave him a big hug and told him how super proud I was of him. Then it took our entire walk to the car for him to finish telling me he got the "Super Rester" award yesterday. This folks is huge! Noah is sweet, kind and compassionate to his core, but a "rester" he is not. So proud of my boy. So far no conduct circles although he did tell me the worst part of his day yesterday was listening to why all the other kids got them. He didn't want anyone to get them. That meant no treasure box. I thought for sure that he would've gotten at least one by now for his chattiness. Guess he's out to prove me wrong and be like his sister with a perfect record.

Here he is with his award.  There was also a blue Airhead taped to it, but he ate it on the way home yesterday!

Fist day of school - 2012/13

6 a.m. came early.

Real early.

In fact when Josh woke me up I asked for 5 more minutes and then realized I had two small people in our bed with us.  And then I realized that school didn't care how many times I snoozed.  It was going to start on time regardless and I couldn't be the mom that got us there late on the first day.  Seriously.

I jumped out the bed and showered and then promptly threw up.  My nerves were on edge.  Noah was starting BIG school today.  Like real school.  The real deal.  And I wasn't sure how that was going to go.  I was a ball of nerves.  He got up at 5:30 with excitement and got in our bed.  He couldn't wait!  I was hoping school exceeded all his little expectations.

After my brief moment of panic, it was 6:30 and luckily everyone was up and in full swing.  After our summer days of sleeping in until 9 and 9:30am, we were on it!  We had time to eat, get dressed, and take pics.

And my did they look cute!  Josh was inside dressing Giddy so she missed the photo-ops and it's cloudy because my camera had not adjusted to the hot Mississippi weather outside.  So please excuse the crummy cloudiness.

I even had time to make my own cheesy signs.  Thanks pinterest for the idea.  Although it doesn't look half as cute as the ones I saw there.  Oh well.  It happened right?

After our photo-op we loaded into the car and headed to school, chatting about it the entire way.  We turned onto the street the school was on and it was a MADHOUSE.  Oh my word.  There were cars and kids everywhere and no parking spots to be had.  I had forgotten about that.  Luckily we found a spot and were able to grab a picture in my favorite location, one that I have made a tradition each year.  Now Noah is in that picture too.  Sniff, sniff.

It's not the best, because I had a camera and a baby in the arm.  We hadn't found Josh yet in the sea of cars and people.  It was crazy.  We then headed inside and to the first grade hall first.  Of course we bumped into tons of friends and moms along the way so it took us some time navigating our way.

At some point I looked at my Noah and grabbed his hand and said "Don't worry buddy, I know you are nervous, but it is going to be a GREAT day!"  To which he quickly replied "I not nervous Momma."  And he wasn't.  He rocked Pre-K!

When we got to Mere's first grade room it was pure chaos.  Lots of parents milling around, which made dropping Mere off so much harder.  She wanted us to stay, but we still had to get Noah to his class and we knew staying would just make leaving harder.  This is my third year dropping her off, I knew what to expect.  She never shed a tear, but she got damn close.  She ran into a friend and that made it so much easier.  Here she is with her best little friend.  It's always awesome to see a familiar face.

We then headed in and started depositing all her stuff where it needed to be.  Her supplies that were added at "Meet the Teacher" day and the ones we got wrong to begin with.  We also dropped off all my homework and her lunch box.  I then left her with her teacher with a quick kiss good-bye.  I knew my big girl would do just fine. 

When we finished our good-byes with Meredith, I picked up Noah and literally ran back upstairs to his room, Josh towing and running with Margot behind me.  We made it to Noah's room in the nick of time and said our good-bye's at the door.  His teacher sent out a sweet email reminding parents that was her policy.  It's a good policy for good reasons.  Of course I had to grab one quick picture outside of his door, although he was done with pictures at this point and ready to join his new friends.  

Noah gave me the biggest hug and kiss and told me not to forget to pick him up and that he loved me most.  He then headed in with his teacher asking questions and following directions on what to do.  He did not even come close to shedding a tear.  Neither did I.  It warmed my heart to see him so happy and so confident.  I love that boy and that girl.  

When I finished dropping Noah off I ran back down to peak in on Mere one more time.  She was sitting at her desk, doing her work and talking to her little friend with a smile on her face.  I knew it was time to head out with my littlest tike.  The two bigs were going to survive their first day.

The day flew by.  Of course Margot and I stayed busy.  We went to the gym, the doctor, lunch and then a quick visit to see Poppa and before we knew it, it was time to get the big kids.  While I thought about the two of them often throughout the day and wondered how they were doing.  My baby girl asked for them ALL day.  "Go get O-wah....go get sissy!"  "O-wah at kool...me kool momma!"  "GO get O-wah!"  "SissY"

When we pulled up at 2:45pm and I said let's go get the kids she screamed "YAY get O-wah....get Sissy!"  I think she might have missed them just a touch!

I was nervous on how the first days were going to go.  While I was sure Meredith would do fine and knew what to expect, I hope she liked it.  She did, but she said they did A LOT of work.  She missed Kindergarten.

Noah came out beaming.  It is no lie when I say the first words out of his mouth were..."I FREAKING LOVE SCHOOL!"  If you know my Noah, you can practically hear him saying it too.

He absolutely had a blast today.  He even told me that he didn't have to nap or rest his eyes.  He just had to lay quietly and listen to the story and music for a little while.  His teacher explained that nap time was the one thing that worried and concerned him all day.  I'll be honest it worried and concerned me too.  She helped him by saying it would pass by super quick and then they would have snack time and go home, to which he asked her "How quick?" and "How many minutes?"  She said that it the only time in the day that he got a little teary, but he recovered quickly when she told him super quick.  He was beaming as he explained that he did not mind nap time anymore in his own Noah way.  He was so excited about school.  He just kept repeating " I LOVE SCHOOL MOMMA!"

Their days could not have gone better.  They were beaming and smiling and declaring their love for school all the way to the car,. while waving and smiling at all their friends, new and old.  Let's hope tomorrow goes as well as today.  And now I'm off to bed, because 6a.m. is kicking my ass.

Back to school - Meeting the teachers

Today was "Meet the Teacher" day at my oldest two tikes school.  That's right I have two tikes going to big school.  Part of me is so freaking excited....woohoo....the bickering at home is ending.  And part of me is so sad....oh how I will miss those two boogers.  And part of me is overjoyed to get some one on one time with my littlest and I am pretty sure she will enjoy it too, even though I know she will shed many a tear as we drop those big ones off.

Noah excited to finally be going to big school.

Yes, Noah is going to big school and that is very bittersweet for me. Mainly because my boy is still so baby.  He needs me to dress him, brush his teeth, put on his shoes and wipe his little heiny.  And yes, those are all things he can do and is perfectly capable of, but things he still prefers his momma to do, because he is my baby.  His wife is going to love me one day.  He still uses that baby talk and baby voice and he is still so perfectly innocent.  I'm afraid big school is going to make him grow up a little and change some of those baby things.  However I know he needs gain some independence and a little bit of self-control (okay a lot) and I know it's time.  At least that is what my husband tells me.  And most importantly I know he is ready for school.  He loves to learn and he is so inquisitive.

He was a littler nervous, but once he went in to his classroom he was right at home.

And his teacher Mrs. V and her assistant Mrs. R seemed great.  I know he is going to have a great  year.

Meredith was pretty excited about starting first grade.  She loves her school and has had two fantastic years here.  She also loves her friends at school so she was more than happy to be going back to see them.  So yes, she was pretty excited about starting back, although I am sure she won't be come 6:30 Wednesday am.  Today though she was all smiles.  She was also excited to be moving to a new floor in her school.  She is going to the 1st and 2nd grade floor, which is a very BIG deal.

She was little shy when she went in to her classroom.  We located her desk and her teacher went over a few things with her.  Like what will happen first thing in the morning when she gets there.  Where she will sit, where her mailbox will be and how she will choose her lunch for the day.  I also realized she will be using real text books this  year, not just work books, but state issued text books.  She is very excited about accelerated reader, since she is reading anything and everything.  She has her own desk now, not just a table and she will have homework every single night.  It's the real deal now...spelling test, vocabulary words, math test....1st grade.  I know Mrs. G and Mere will have a great year.

After we met the teachers and dropped off the supplies we left with big smiles on our faces and a lot of paperwork/homework for me.  Noah cannot wait to go back.  He wanted to know how many sleeps until Wednesday and then told Mrs. V he would see her then.  I'm pretty sure he would have stayed with her all day today.  Meredith listened to all the homework rules, her weekly writer's suitcase assignment, the various tests and other work and decided that she wasn't so sure about 1st grade.  Josh and I had a good laugh and assured her she would be just fine.

And they're off....Part Deaux

Exactly one week after his big sister's training wheels came off, Noah decided he would like his off too.  So off they came and the first time he got on his bike without them he took off....

Seriously.  Of course I predicted it the week before.  When I tell people he is riding his bike at 4 YEARS OLD without training wheels, shock immediately comes across their face.  Suffice to say, I now have two children riding on two wheels.  And that is all we do everyday...ALL DAY LONG.  Daylights saving time showed up right in time.  He is just a touch proud of himself...

I'm so proud of my boy.  And the best part is when he gets on his bike and is about to take off he says "You can do this Noah...You can do it!"  And he's right he can do it, even with rain books that are too big!

And poor Margot all she wants to do is ride a big bike too.  Here is Josh helping Noah get started and holding a very upset Margot who is flailing her limbs trying to get on too.

Luckily she does get to particpate in the ice cream celebration for such a big achievement.  She went ahead to the freezer to get them to ensure I would not forget.

And they're off!

Meredith has been asking for some time to take her training wheels off.  Like months.  I haven't because let's face it, driveway time is my favorite time of the day and with three tikes running and riding all over, I knew chasing after one on a real bike was not ideal for me.  It's really all about me.  Besides Meredith has been riding her balance bike for quite some time and was already AMAZING on two wheels, who needs pedals right???

Tonight though I broke the news to her that her best little friends A and E had taken theirs off and were riding without them now.  So that only set me up to having to take off hers.  And luckily Josh was agreeable and he did.  Five minutes later she was like this....

She kind of took to the whole thing like a fish to water.  I'm pretty sure that strider bike had a lot to do with it.  We love those bikes.  Before I knew it she was going up hill to.  We still need some practice but I'd say she did pretty good for her first 15 minutes without training wheels.  And I'd say my days of the balance bike in the driveway are over, at least for Meredith!  Margot has been eyeing it for some time so she is thrilled!

And this little guy, well he is a whiz on his strider bike too.  Actually he's better on his strider bike than most adults on bikes.  Noah is pro on anything with wheels.  And with the way he's wheeling up and down the hilly streets our neighborhood I think he will soon be without his trianing wheels too.  Luckily for me, he's a cautious little guy!

And not to be left out of the milestone department, tonight Margot learned to double fist freezy pops!  Now that my friends is talent!  So proud of my Giddy!  And seriously how grown up is she looking now!  Not to mention every time her sister got off her big bike, Margot did indeed try and get on.  Every single time.

Freaking Shit - What he says...

My sweet Noah LOVES to talk.  Actually that may be the understatement of the year.  Talking is as necessary to Noah as breathing.  If his eyes are open he is chatting you up.  Most days I feel like I should send him to preschool with ear plugs for his teacher.  Quiet days are they days when he is absent I am told.

Yes, the boy loves to talk.  He ask a million questions a day, I used to know the answers to his questions, but lately I have to say "I don't know" or "We can look that up when we get home."  He also describes everything he sees or has experienced.  He loves to re-tell me all about his day at school and all about what he did that day and what he learned.  I love that part.  And when we play, his imagination soars and he leaves out nothing, I hear every detail about what he is imagining.  He is so descriptive it's like he is painting a picture with his words and when he describes it, I can see it perfectly.  He is inquisitive, descriptive, detailed and chatty. 

Most of my conversations with Noah are pretty entertaining.  He makes me laugh on a daily basis.  He also warms my heart on a daily basis as well.  Not a day goes by that he doesn't express sweetness towards me and his sisters.  And if you don't have a good reply for him, he will often provide you one to say.  He tends to do this alot, some might call him bossy.  He's thoughtful, caring, sensitive, a little bossy and very chatty.

Noah and I had a conversation last week about the birds and the bees that I had to actually stifle my laughs.  The conversation was a hoot, but one to be expected from my little guy.  I stifled my laughter though, because I didn't want him to think it was a funny topic, even though what he said was funny. He did not intend for it to be funny, he was quite serious.  But it was a hilarious one none the less, definitely one for the baby book.  So Noah remind me to tell you about that one, one day.  Especially since I don't know where you baby book is.  And sorry Internets, I won't share that one here, because I love my Noah and he does deserve some privacy, but I will share this gem, one about him using his favorite expression...."freaking shit."  This was an actual conversation that occured in the yukon last week while driving home from dinner.

(and finally a picture where my little man is not talking and you can tell he is barely keeping his mouth shut!)

"Noah, bud, if you talk like this all the time next year at your big school, you might get a few red lights or yellow lights."

"What's a red light?  I like red lights?  Like traffic lights?"

"No Noah, red and yellow lights are not good, they are when you are in trouble!"  scolded Meredith

""What?!?  Red lights ARE traffic lights, I love red lights!"

"No buddy, red and yellow lights mean no treasure box"

silent,thoughtful pause

"Red lights are freaking shit!"

"Well Josh I guess we should be more concerned about blue lights and phone calls home with that language!"

"Noah you can't say those things at school next  year." scolded Josh

"Nope Bud, you have to save those choice words for at home."

And in the words of Noah today was some freaking shit.  Both girls had surgery.  Both are doing great.  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, but I'm so glad that freaking shit is over.  Hmmm, wonder where my Noah picked up that language.

What he says....Prayers

Noah:  Momma today at music I said my prayers.

You did buddy?

Yep, I closed my eyes and bowed my head and said dem.

What did you pray for man?

I prayed dat God would send cinnamon rolls down from heaven.  silent pause  But he didn't.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from my two littlest Valentines!

The Bike Race

This year I asked Noah what he wanted to do for his birthday.  I had almost talked him into a party at the zoo, where everyone could ride the train and carousel and call it a day.  However my little Noah had much different and better plans.  First he started off by explaining he wanted a bike for his birthday.  Then he said he wanted a bike race with all of his friends at his house.  

So I immediately went into bike race planning mode.  My friend Blair planned a cute little cheerleader party for her 4 year old and had the cutest "tiger treats banner."  So I asked her to please help me get a banner for our bike race and she did.  Thank you so much Blair. I then decorated in various shades of his favorite color green!   

The morning of his birthday he got a brand new, orange bike and a new helmet.  He practiced riding his new bike with pedals as we set up for the party.

We put up his new banner and got lots of balloons and racing decorations.

We also hung racing pennants on the treehouse and swings.  The kids had a ball playing in there.

He wanted goody bags complete with his favorite things...bubbles, gum and tattoos.

All of his friends started arriving and they all brought their bikes and helmets for the big race.

And thankfully cousin Connor made the long trek for the party too!

After everyone said hello and played for a little while we all lined up on the starting line.  See the white line Josh came out early and drew.

All the kids lined up for the race.  The moms were all given checkered flags to wave.

On your Marks....Get Set.....Go!!!  Mrs. Katey waved the flag for the kids to start racing!

We made it clear that every child that crossed the finish line got a medal.  It wasn't a contest.

We told the kids to race under the banner and back into the driveway.

There Mimi and MeMaw handed out gold medals to everyone.

Noah was super excited that he and all his friends got them.  They were all #1!

After the race we sang Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy!

Then we played some more with all of our friends!

This was a super easy birthday and a fun, cute idea!  I guess it's all a 4 year old really wants!  Happy Birthday Noah man!

To Noah on his 4th Birthday

Dearest Noah,

I'm not sure when you got to be so big.  I mean 4, how did that happen?  I've always said it and I truly mean it, but you my dear grow the fastest.  Maybe because your big sister always gets to experience the first at everything and because your baby sister is the baby and we make a big deal of all her new milestones.  You are just somewhere in the middle....you grow up each day and it's not always as obvious.  I know, that is why you are struggling with a little bit of that "middle child syndrome."  It's how you know that you don't always need to listen or cooperate.  It's like you have figured out the system.  You know that Margot has to have my attention and that I expect more out of Meredith because she is "older" and you well you just coast right on by.

However my boy....you are just that, my only boy.  Despite being stuck in the middle and sometimes glossed right over.  You have your Momma's heart.  You are my sweetest, most tender hearted child.  You are always in a good mood, always happy and rarely if ever do you get angry or upset.  Which is why when you do, I know you have a very strong opinion about whatever it is that has upset you.  You are like your dad that way.  The girls and I, we fly off the handle with every little thing.

Now that you are four you love trucks, airplanes, helicopters and all things that go.  You recently discovered your love for riding a bike.  We got a you a balance bike a couple of months ago and you are a pro on it.  For your birthday you got a big boy bike with training wheels and I bet in the next 6 months, if that long, you are ready for those training wheels to come off.  You love to play with your sister, and you still love your trains, but not nearly like you used too.  You have recently started playing the Wii a little, a ver little.  You still love sharks, and watching movies about trucks, lumberjacks, trains, cars and motorcycles.  You decided last week you might want to be a mechanic.  You got a "real" tool set for your birthday and have been working on all of your trucks and cars since.

You are smart, you know how to figure things out and use logic and reasoning to get your answer.  You quickly put things together.  Your answers are always witty and accurate.  You have a solution to every problem and are always happy to share.  You still tell me you love me out of the blue....all the time.  I hope that never changes.  Most days you tell me how beautiful I am.  I love you my Noah Elliott.

And so today on your birthday like every birthday I want to tell you about the day you came into the world....

On the morning of Tuesday, November 19, 2006 I woke up at 4:30am to shower and get dressed before we headed to the hospital.  I was more than a tad nervous.  I knew that surgery was the only way to meet you and that my boy is the only reason I even went to the hospital that morning.  We arrived at the hospital at 5:45am and I was hoping I would be the first c-section of the day, unfortunately someone else had arrived at 5:30am so we were bumped to second. If you know your Momma, you will know that I was not happy about this.

I met your anesthesiologist, the OR nurses and of course Dr. B.  I was ready.  However in all the time I had spent waiting for my turn, I had talked your dad into having absolutely no more children and having a vasectomy the following week.  That's a procedure to make sure we would have no more babies.  About 9am, it was time to head back, I walked back to the OR with the nurse.  It was a little intimidating.  I'm not sure why they make you walk.  Or why your dad couldn't come with me.  I got back there and they prepped me and inserted my spinal on the first try.  I remember them sticking a big  piece of silver looking tape to my leg and I asked what it was,  and they told me it was to ground me.  At that point I decided questions were not a good idea.

After a few minutes I was ready to go and Dr. B came in.  He started asking if I was feeling anything and since the sheet was draped I can only imagine he was beginning the surgery.  A few seconds later your dad arrived.  He stayed by my head the whole time and gave me a play by play of what was happening.  I unfortunately could not see since I was strapped to the table and had a big sheet in front of me.

And at 9:53am you arrived.  You were a beautiful baby boy.  When they first delivered you, you were very quiet.  It seemed like way too long. I got very panicky, but no one else was.  I'm sure it was just a second or two and then you were screaming.  Not loud like your sister did, but more of a okay I'm here little yell.  You weren't mad.  You were just letting us know...hey I've arrived.

You were then cleaned up and whisked to the nursery.  You made a quick detour to the waiting room where everyone who was waiting on you got to have a peek.  You were beautiful.  I was then wheeled to recovery where on my high from your easy delivery and the medicine and seeing you I decided I wanted at least two more children.  After what seemed like an eternity I started getting antsy about getting to hold you, I watned them to bring you back.   I sent your dad to check on you and they assured us everything was fine, it would just be a few more minutes.  I think I gave them 10 more and then I made your dad go and get you.  And when I held you for the first time it was amazing.  I never knew I could love another child as much as I love you.

Happy Fourth Birthday my little man.  I love you to the moon and back and as long as all the train tracks in the world.

Love,
Momma