Luke Turns 1

Wednesday, June 10th marked Luke's first birthday. Grandma Julie, whom Luke lovingly refers to as Mimi, came after she got off work to add a little sparkle to the day; a Mr. Potato Head with 40 accessories and a book called Grandma Loves Me. She even brought a Hostess cupcake and a candle so we could sing to him and he could have at it on his very own "cake". Not a fan of processed food (or refined sugar), I was thrilled that Luke found greatest delight in making art out of his food rather than eat it. I would gladly clean up crumbs after than deal with sugar highs or any other after affect that may come. ;)

Throughout the day, I would look at the clock and reminisce about what we were going through during those very moments one year ago. We didn't know Luke would come June 10th. The doctors had waned back and forth, giving due dates that ranged from June 14 to June 20. I had a standard doctor's appointment scheduled the morning of the 10th. I had mistakenly gotten there at nine only to find out that our appointment was at ten (and the hospital system was an hour drive from where we lived... a not-so-fun inconvenience). Nick was not happy with my forgetfulness, though I laughed it off and blamed it on pregnancy (it had seemed to work as a wonderful scapegoat for everything so far!). When we went in for our appointment, our doctor decided to have an ultrasound performed as well since I was so huge (and they gathered Luke was too) and just to make sure everything was okay. With the exception of a possible pre-eclampsia scare, I'd had a textbook pregnancy so I was not in anyway concerned. It then came as a surprise when they said they wanted me to stay for a while longer so that they could moniter Luke's heartbeat (apparently, it was hard to detect throughout the ultrasound). I assumed we would possibly stay for maybe an hour at most; I had no idea they'd keep me on moniters for over six!

All I could think about at the time was how absolutely starving I was! I ran out the door that morning without a chance of getting something to eat (nor did I really wanted the added weight from breakfast when they had me take to the scale at the doctor's office... I'd already gained a whopping 60 pounds and it seemed all I had to do anymore was look at food to gain weight). Our surprise stay to have heart monitering kept us through lunchtime, sent me on to triage, and now evening was coming upon us as I continued to sit in a bed with wires running to and from me to machines. However, hungry I might have been, light contractions became a norm by late afternoon and I was determined to do whatever was necessary to "get things going". I did not want to be released only only to have to drive the full hour trek from our house back to the hospital sometime throughout the night. The nurses assured me I would most likely be released around five but offered to let me stay for a short while and walk the halls to see what would happen. I began speed walking with all the vigor I had in me! I was determined to have enough progress to stay and be admitted. The nurse station was a mini "mile marker" of my walking route throughout the maternity wing and many of the staff would joke with me that "that baby would just pop right out with how I was keeping it up". I was perfectly okay if that happened!.. I was tired of the extreme uncomfortableness. I'd heard of swelling during pregnancy but I had no idea it could get as bad I got it. My size 8 & 1/2 feet ballooned to gigantic proportions and I had to resort to one pair of flip flops... an 11W! My wedding ring hadn't fit since my fourth month either. Throughout the pregnancy, it had been an ongoing joke that I had something in common with the blueberry girl from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory; I was so ready to be "dejuiced!".

Thank heavens, Luke was on the same page as I was and figured he wanted to make his grand debut that evening as well. The doctor did decide to admit me after all and from 6:00-7:30 that evening contractions continued to grow stronger and stronger. By this point in time, family had been called and mine along with Nick's parents and aunt were already present. My mom stood next to me and asked how comfortable I was with various breathing methods to cope with the contractions as they grew in intensity. I looked at her in a panic state as I never learned any! The labor and delivery class we took at the hospital focused on several other methods of relaxation (such as rolling on a ball, meditating, message, etc.)... ones I was well past using since I was now hooked up to an IV and confined to a gurney. In the moment, my mom gave me a crash course and we "panted" together. Not finding relief in that, I ended up more or less chanting and lightly humming an even, long note. My mom later named the evening the night of the one-note symphony. It was no surprise to her that her musical daughter would find relief in, essentially, singing her way through labor.

At 7:30 the doctor broke my water and things went very quickly after. They always say the love you feel for a child makes you forget the pain of childbearing (thus, the theory goes you would never go through it again otherwise). However, I can remember every single minute!!! It was awful; and worse yet, I knew that the standard first labor & delivery could take up to 14 hours. I'd only been in active labor for a few hours and I was panicked that I would have to go through such excruciating pain for yet another ten or more hours. What I didn't realize was we were on the fast track to a delivery. Within two hours, I was already pushing. And at 10:55, we received those wonderful words.... You have a son! Nick could not wait to tell family what had happened. Luke literally came out like Superman with one arm above his head and the opposite leg curled up to his hip (it looked like he was flying).

When I look at most newborns, they look so tiny in comparison to Luke. He came into the world at a husky 9lbs. 5oz., 21 inches long. He's continued to be off the charts for height/weight since.

Life has not been the same since. I was told so many times when we were expecting that life would never be the same... or perhaps we heard even more to hold onto every moment because they go so fast with a little one. I've learned it's all relative until you actually have your little one in your arms. I had no clue until this year what they meant! There were times during the first six months, when I thought the day could not pass fast enough... mainly due to Luke's extreme case of colic and desire to never sleep. However, once we got through the sleepless nights, I found myself blinking, wondering where the last one month, two months, three, etc. had just gone. It seemed Luke went from the precious stage of newborn to a sweet chubby crawler to an infectiously happy running toddler all within the blink of an eye. Just this month, he has learned over twenty new words, so not only is he mobile but he's very interactive. I have to realize I no longer have a baby on my hands, but a little boy! (though he will always be "my baby"!).

This Sunday, despite the recent forecast's prediction of severe thunderstorms (bummer), we are eagerly looking forward to hosting a big family celebration to honor Luke's #1. As you can imagine, there will be many pictures to come.

To be continued...