Is it possible? Are you really 4!?

Pregnancy with you was anything but typical. First off, how we found out we were pregnant. Not many women find out from another person that they are expecting. I was admitted into the surgery center at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. I had a large ovarian cyst and was also going to have a procedure done that would correct my endometriosis. As I lay there, in my gown and my ugly grey socks, a nurse started to review my chart. 

"Did they do a pregnancy test on you in your pre-op blood panel?" she asked.

I remember the feeling I got, almost butterfly's. I had no reason to assume I was pregnant but for some reason when she said that I knew that I was. She looked through my chart and smiled.

"Ummm.... this test result show's a slight rise in your hormone levels, you may very well be pregnant."

They handed me a pregnancy test and showed me to the restroom. By the time I got back a small crowd had gathered, Dad was being called from out of the waiting room, and my Doctor had arrived. Poor Daddy, I will never forget the scared look on his face. No idea what was going on. He thought I was dying or something. I remember telling him that they thought I may be pregnant, he had a shocked smile. After all, we'd only been married for a little over 6 months.

Well, of course the Doctor gave us the good news and we hugged and cried. It was the first and few times I have ever seen your Dad get teared up. All of the gathered nurses were cheering and crying right along with us.

The rest of the pregnancy was just as exciting. Being terribly sick all day and night for 3+ months, A car accident when I was 16 weeks along (an ultrasound in the middle of the night was how we discovered you were a boy) pre-term labor putting me on bedrest at 33 weeks along, and 2 false alarms where the Doctors swore I'd be back for real within 24 hours... you went another 10 days.

And then came March 11, 2004. It was midnight when I started feeling contractions. A hour later we were admitted into labor and delivery at lovely Hoag, I was already at a 4! I got an epidural around 3am, after still not being in much pain, and slept until it was time to push. 15 minutes later you came into this world. 9 lbs. 6 oz. and a bit purple from your cord being wrapped twice around your neck. It took them a few minutes to get you breathing better before the'd let me hold you. I was told that I could take you for a few minutes but that you would need to go into the NICU to monitor and regulate your breathing. 

I took you into my arms and melted. I remember like it was yesterday looking at your round, perfect, beautiful face. How all I wanted to do in the  whole world was to love you and protect you. Later in a video I noticed that a nurse was discussing your breathing with me. I laughed and said "I never saw or heard that woman talking to me." The only person in that room was you, everybody else disappeared. When the Nurse came to take you into the NICU she stated that your breathing was actually perfect and that upon watching you for a few more minutes stated that you could stay with me. I knew it was because you could feel my love... it comforted and calmed you.

You were the perfect baby in the hospital. You slept all day and night. You were so cute and I never could stop staring at you. No Mother had ever loved her baby as much as on that day in that Hospital.

I am so grateful for March 11, 2004. It will forever be one of the most amazing and humbling days of my life. Being your Mommy has been so rewarding and fulfilling. Challenging and also so fun. You are a sweet, peaceful boy who just wants to be good and be loved. I am so proud of you and love you so much! I hope you have a fun day today, on your 4th birthday!!!!