It’s true….he’s 18!

Today our son is 18 years old. I remember the day he was born vividly in my mind. I will never forget it. You never forget giving birth. It’s just one of those things that is so joyful.

I had my last day of work on Thursday and decided to work up to my due date. My due date being December 15th. I didn’t want to work past in case I didn’t make it to then. I did a little Christmas shopping, and was extrememly glad to be off of work for 2 months. I hated my job at the time. When I got home I had dinner. Hubby was working the 4-12 p.m. shift so he was gone already. And since I had gotten up around 5 a.m. I decided at around 10 it was bedtime. At 11 I woke up, think what is that? I thought I had gone to the bathroom so I got up and went to the bathroom. Nope hadn’t gone but something was leaking. Thankfully it was clear, (I know TMI). So I figured my water broke and I better call hubby to make sure he wasn’t going to go out to the bar after work. He also had a final the next day for school if I remember right. He was like really, no way, I said yes just come home when you are done. I then called the hospital to find out how soon I had to be there. They said well we have to make sure it’s your water and you have to deliver within 24 hours….so come soon. I had packed my bag and was waiting for hubby. We then left for the hospital. In my head I kept saying, this is the last time it’s us, this is the last time I will just get in my car and go without someone else. I just kept thinking this is it my life is going to drastically change and I hope it is for the better!!! I was scared by more nervouse of how much my life was going to change.

We got to the hospital and they checked and sure enough my water had broke but was just trickling out no big gushes. I was dialted to 1 so it would be a long night. I was tired and really had no contractions so I just decided to maybe sleep for a while. That didn’t happen, people kept coming in and out and wanting to take my blood and check me. I was getting tired around 6 a.m. and the nurse said try and get some sleep. The contractions were getting stonger by then so I tried I was so exhausted. I couldn’t sleep so the nurse said walking sometimes helps but lets check you first it was 7 a.m. and guess what ? I was still at one. I broke down right there. I had been there for about six hours and still only 1. I couldn’t believe it. I thought this is going to be the longest day of my life. But once she checked me and said when I got to four I could have something to take the edge off. About 10 a.m. I finally got to four and they gave me a shot. It didn’t do anything. You see back then they were all for no medication during child birth. Nothing you do it on your own. Well that is no way to go unless you totally believe in that. I did go all natural the 2nd time around though. Only because there was no time for anything.

I was getting so tired by this point and all I wanted to do was sleep. My doctor showed up and I felt bad because she had to cancel all her appointments for the day. She said that it wasn’t important that having my baby was the only thing she cared about. It was nice of her to say that. So the day finally started to progress and around noon I started to push. I pushed and pushed and pushed, and no baby. What was he doing in there. Come on let’s get on with this. Finally at 1:52 p.m. on 12/15/88 he arrived. He had a huge conehead from being in there so long. I think at the end they cut me to get him out I was so physically exhausted from pushing and everything else. I had been up since 5 a.m. the day before.

He was so cute, and crying and little. My first reaction was that was inside of me??? Wow that is so strange. That little baby doing all those kicks and pushes against my body. He grew from a tiny cell so small we can’t see it with the human eye. To this day it still amazes me how we begin life. He was 6 lbs 13 oz. Small he was, but he sure felt big inside of me. I was so happy he was here and so happy to be thru childbirth.

And I have to say he has been a joy his whole life. He hardly ever gave me a hard time. And he was such a ham. I would take him to get his pictures taken and the people taking the pictures I could tell thought…a baby oh great! But they would set him down and say smile and he would. Right on key always smiled. I think he gets that from me. I always smiled.

He is smart, fun, respectful, generous, a ham at times still, polite, and just plain fun to be around. I am really going to miss him when he goes to college in the fall. Yes, he got accepted at NDSU and that is where he wants to go. So as hard as it will be to say goodbye it’s also a new journey for him. I know the sky is his limit and he can do anything. I just hope he stays on the great path of life and enjoys it as much as I have enjoyed having him as a son. I never really dreamed I could have a child that is so perfect in every way. I am so proud and relieved I got one child right. He has this great personality about him too. And I am proud to say he is mine.

Happy 18th Birthday A.J. We love you!!