"FIVE...when did that happen?!?"

I'm a couple weeks late but my baby boy turned 5 on March 3! I feel like just yesterday my precious sidekick was born. Since day 1, he has been my baby, my teacher, my sidekick, and my challenger. There's not a day that goes by that my love for Connor doesn't grow stronger and there's not a day that goes by that he doesn't try my patience in one form or another. I can hear my mother saying "PAYBACK!" Even with the challenges of parenthood, I would not trade one moment spent with my lil guy.

In 2006, I had not started blogging yet, so I want to take a few minutes and document my memories of March 3, 2006. The day my life and heart were changed forever.

Very briefly, my water broke at about 5:45am. I was 39 weeks. As I rolled over, the sheets soaked, I told Hagie that I thought my water had just broke. His classic response "Are you sure you didn't just wet the bed?" I called the Emory midwives who told me I could take my time but that I should be at Emory Crawford Long by 9am or so. I surprised myself at just how calm I was. Having no discomfort or pain, I proceeded to take a shower, call my parents and sister, and make sure everything was in place for when Connor would come home. Even had time to ride through the Chick-fil-A drive thru.

Not surprisingly, Hagie and I had waited until the last minute to install the infant car seat. Sooo...a stop by the Virginia Highlands fire station was in order. The only thing I really remember about this part was the fireman asking me when I was due. I chuckled as I told him "now!"

Hagie and I arrived at Crawford Long about 9am and the nurse got me set up with an IV port and I waited to see a midwife. I knew they were going to admit me because my water had broke but I certainly didn't feel like I was in active labor. Still no pain..the only pain I had endured so far was the nurse stabbing my vein and blood spewing all over her and the floor. That was pretty!

I was admitted and checked and I had barely dilated. I was encouraged to walk and walk and walk. There's only so many times I could walk in the same circle. After a few hours, the midwife agreed to induce contractions/labor with pitocin. This was at about 2:30-3pm. It sure didn't take long after being hooked up to the pitocin that my contractions began and my body began to dilate. I remember laying in the bed, mom and dad and my sister Kelli in the room. Hagie sat beside me looking at comic books online. Now that I write that, it's kinda funny. I ended up asking for the epidural as my pain became more and more intense.

It wasn't long before my body began progressing quickly. Dad and Kelli left the room and Hagie and Mom stayed by my side. With my blood pressure getting higher than they wanted, it was a good thing that Connor decided "let's do this!" I recall as my sister left the room, telling her to get the midwife ASAP because I HAD to push! About 4 pushes and 15 minutes later, Connor arrived in the world at 8:58pm. Hagie swears that Connor arrived with his head turned looking towards Daddy. What a great memory! Connor arrived weighing in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 inches long. Completely bald and a little jaundice.

After not being able to eat while in active labor, I was absolutely starving. My sweet and gracious Dad went to both Burger King and Krispy Kreme because I HAD to have a whopper and donuts:). Thanks Dad in case I never told you.

Well, that's the short version of my baby boy's entrance to this world. I will continue to love him, protect him, discipline him, and teach him so that he grows up to be a young man that can hold his head high. Praying for guidance and strength as Hagie and I have been entrusted with his precious life. We won't let him down!