Happy 24 Months Holden!

I'm only leaving this picture up for a little while.....  too cute not to, but then I need to save it for the first time he brings a girl home .....

My dear first-born is 2 years old!  I can hardly believe it.  I replayed the day he was born in my mind, and was sad to discover how abridged it has become.  So for posterity.....

Holden was anxious to meet us 4 weeks before he was due.  Doc said to take it easy and get off my feet.  Something about wimpy white boy syndrome and lung development (yes, it's real.)

So I did just the opposite.  I made Jordan take me for walks at IKEA and Target as often as possible.  I also bought an exercise ball and bounced around on it daily chanting, "get out!  Get out!"

Around week 30 of pregnancy, I bathed and shaved my legs every day ... just in case.  Then one day, I chose not to bathe or shave my legs and Jordan took me to a movie ... the last movie we would get to go to for a long time.

A gentleman collapsed climbing the stairs during the previews.  I looked at Jordan expecting him to hand me his drink and popcorn so he could render aid.  Alas, my hero was watching to see if the man would get up ... still munching away on his popcorn, feet propped on the rail in front of him.  "God, if he laughs I'll be mortified!"

I gave him the "LOOK."  He heard my mind say, "you better help that man!"  Jordan jumped into action and helped the man ... still fit to take a seat to watch the movie.

No sooner than Jordan settled back into his seat ... my water broke!  My eyes almost popped out of my head.  I could hear his mind say, "what?  I helped the man, he is fine."  I leaned in, "I think it's time!"

I ran to the bathroom to ... well don't worry about it.

Back in the hallway, I was standing alone looking for hubby.  He was nowhere to be found.

I called his cell phone, and pictured him sitting there ... eating all of my popcorn.  Then I saw him on the OTHER END OF THE BUILDING!

He went to look for me at the wrong restroom.  After catching up to me, we devised a plan to rendezvous at the emergency exit where he would pick me up.  "BREAK!"

I took one step outside into the crisp January air and decided my cold damp lower half couldn't take it.  With my arms wrapped around my belly like Holden was going to fall out, I trotted around to the front of the building to look for my ride.

Once in the car we were on our way to have a baby!

Oh wait ... I didn't have my insurance card with me "better stop at the house" (40 minutes from the theater) ... oh wait ... we didn't have gas in the car!

Gas ... home ... on our way to the hospital (another 40 minutes away.)  Checked in, admitted ... wait and wait and wait and wait ...

Many hours later I tried to convince the nurse my hypoglycemia was getting the best of me and I should be allowed a steak dinner.  "What do you mean you are going to check my blood sugar levels first?  Just forget it, I'm really just very hungry."  They checked anyway, then she gave me ice chips.  YUM!

My sister and I have a little competitive streak.  She was in the room with us during labor and I asked, "how long did you have to push when you had Sawyer?"  She said it took about 25 minutes.  When the doctor said, "ok, it's time to push," I looked at the clock and told myself I could do this in 20 minutes.  I WILL WIN!  35 minutes later, my precious little Holden welcomed US into his life.

P.S  No movie theater seats were harmed during the making of this story.

____________________

There have been moments when I have been less than perfect, and my momma would tell me that I "wouldn't truly know what unconditional love is until I have a child."

She was right.  Even when I'm frustrated that Holden and I are negotiating the last bite of peas, or why it's not ok for him to run out the front door by himself, I love this job.  And when I'm teaching him that "sharing is good," and "hitting is bad," I love this job!

And that really IS the job, isn't it?  To raise good fathers and husbands, mothers, wives and friends.  That's my goal, anyway.  

My heart nearly exploded when I first saw that face that looks so much like his dad.  A switch was flipped and all of a sudden I'm going to take care of this person for the rest of my life.

I'm going to love him, teach him and wipe his boogers away with my sleeve.

-Carmen