Double Digits!

Ten years ago, I was a brand new mom. Snuggling my perfect, cute, chubby 8lb baby boy. I had no idea what to expect from motherhood, but I knew that I loved this sweet new baby of mine. I knew that no matter what life threw at us, we'd tackle it as a family. I knew that, from that moment on, nothing was ever going to be more important to me than that kid (and his subsequent siblings).

I remember his birth. I remember being induced. It was a social induction because I was 40 weeks and sort of an annoying patient (ha!). I think my doc induced me just to be rid of me (not really, he was a great doctor). We got a call at 7a.m. asking if we could come in an hour to start the process. We went.

I was already dialated to a 3 and I got the mother of all epidurals shortly after being admitted. I never felt a single contraction! Since I didn't know what to expect, I thought this was awesome! (Hindsight has taught me that this was, in fact, NOT awesome - pain free is cool, but the recovery was horrible!) 

I labored comfortably for several hours. Chatting with Justin, my sisters, and my mom (all our family had come to wait for the birth of this first son/grandchild/nephew). At one point, a nurse came to me saying he was in distress and I needed to wear an oxygen mask. Again, I was naive and didn't see this as a potential problem. I was just too excited to finally meet my baby!

Progress was happening at a pretty good rate. When I was dialated to a 5, Justin went to the waiting room to update our families, leaving me alone with my mom. The nurse came in to check me again (about 5 minutes after I'd been declared a 5). And pronounced me complete (a 10 - ready to have this baby). What!?! A 5 to a 10 in 5 minutes. No one was expecting that! 

It seemed awesome to be ready to go ( I was still as numb as can be) but suddenly nurses were descending from everywhere. Surrounding me and talking very fast to each other. I was scared and I could tell my mom was too. About this time, Justin showed back up. My doctor wasn't there yet. The nurses gave me a shot to stop my contractions (because every contraction was causing more and more distress). They were starting to prep me for an emergency c-section (scary) when my doctor walked into the room. Dr. Paul is a linebacker of a man. Tall and broad and nothing like you would picture an OB to look like. But when he walked in, I remember feeling instantly calmed. I knew it'd all be okay because he was there.

Dr. Paul had them stop prepping me for a section (bless him) and told me to try and push. Two problems: I wasn't having contractions anymore and I was COMPLETELY numb from the waist down. So, pushing was doing nothing. Dr. Paul grabbed the vacuum extractor, stuck it on the top of Clayton's head and gave one huge tug. Game over. Baby was out. I tore pretty bad from that, but I didn't even care because my baby was out and I was c-section free!

 

This all took place in the course of about 10-15 minutes (from the time Justin left to inform our families to the time Dr. Paul yanked Clayton out). Clayton was born at just after 2 in the afternoon. My boy was perfect. I was a mom, Justin was a dad, and our lives would never be the same again.

And now here we are, ten years later. The years seem to be speeding by. How is it possible that I have a tween on my hands! That this sweet baby boy:

And this chubby toddler:

And this adorable kindergartner:

Has become this good young man?:

Ten things I love about Clayton:

1. He's dependable and steady. I can always count on him. Always.

2. He wants to do what's right. If he gets in trouble, he asks what he did wrong so he can fix it. 

3. He's a fantastic big brother. He loves his siblings and looks out for them. He shares and helps and tries to make them happy - even if he has to give up something of his own to do it. 

4. He's a great singer. He sings all the time. I love to listen to him when he doesn't think anyone is listening.

5. He's likeable. He loves people and tries to make the people around him happy. Because of this, most people really like Clayton. He's easy and enjoyable to be around.

6. He's a rule follower. He loves to know the rules whenever we go somewhere and he likes to follow them. He's not a troublemaker. This gives me so much peace of mind - especially with middle school right around the corner. I'm a lot less worried about him than I might otherwise be.

7. He's honest. I trust him completely. He doesn't lie, and since he's a rule follower, he rarely has anything to lie about. Even when it gets him in trouble, he tells the truth. 

8. He loves everyone. No matter age, race, disability, gender, whatever. This is one of my very favorite traits of his. He has the unique ability to see a person for who they are on the inside and love them for that. In this, I try to be like him. He's taught me soooo much about love, empathy, compassion, kindness, and service. I love how Christlike he is.

9. He's sweet. He always has a kind word or deed for me when I need it most. 

10. He's smart. So very, very smart. He absorbs things quickly (especially when the subject interests him) and can recall random facts easily. It won't be too long before he outsmarts me (in some subjects he already does)!

So happy birthday Clayton. I miss your sweet baby smell, your chubby toddler hands, and your toothless little grin, but it's hard to mourn those losses when I see the young man you're becoming. A young man that I not only love, but genuinely like and enjoy spending time with. You taught me to be a mother and, even though we've had (and will continue to have) some rough times, I think this has created in us a bond that will never be broken. You are loved and treasured beyond words. I am thankful every day that I get to be your mother. No mother was ever more fortunate. Happy decade son. I love you!