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Today marks the official second birthday of the kiddo. There will be parties (there has already been one). There will be cake (there has already been plenty). There will be presents (he’s already been spoiled). We basically have a week’s worth of celebrating going on. Don’t worry, there will be posts and photos to follow.
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One thing that took my by surprise at the kiddo’s first birthday was how emotional it was for me. I just didn’t expect it to be such a special day for me. Remembering back, yes, of course it is special for me too. I mean, I gave birth to the kid after all. But the powerful emotions that I felt nearly knocked me off my feet. And I never said a word to anyone. I kept to myself that I was so close to tears the entire day. That I was amazed by this little boy I created (with help of course). That I fell in love with him all over again.
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On the days before his second birthday, I could feel the emotions creeping back in again. Hiding under the surface, glimmering in the twinkle in his little eyes as he ripped open presents over the weekend. And now that the day has finally arrived, I’m floored again by how I feel. I’m sad. Sad that my little boy is grown, or at least growing up. That he will never be my little baby again, so needy and cuddly. That these moments are so fleeting and so precious.
And terribly happy at the same time. I’m so thrilled to see the wonderful little boy that he is turning into. I love seeing his love of reading grow. I love that he loves puzzles, just as I did as as child. I love that he has his daddy’s dark brown eyes, his expressions and his love of music. I love that he has my hair. And of course my sass.
So to celebrate his birthday, here’s my list of the best parts of giving birth. Pretend for a minute that it doesn’t hurt like hell. That you aren’t violated in more ways that I can to think about. Let’s take a moment to focus on the beauty of it.
- The excitement of knowing that you are in labor. That knowledge that in a few short hours you will meet the little one who has been cooking away for the last 9 months. The little one that you know so intimately, and have never met.
- Knowing that my life, my marriage, is going to change forever, and being so excited. Knowing that this is what I’ve been wanting for so long, and having no fears.
- Knowing that Dad-oo was at my side, iPod in hand, with a playlist that we put together weeks before of my favorite music to get us through (little did we know that we’d listen to that playlist so many times that we eventually just turned it off).
- Seeing Dad-oo in a new light, more supportive, loving, and worried than I’ve ever seen him before. Knowing that he’s be a great dad.
- Being surrounded by wonderful and supportive staff at the hospital.
- Knowing the comfort of having a wonderful doctor who was with me through the entire pregnancy, the birth, and would then be the kiddo’s doctor.
- Beautiful, beautiful drugs. They are a beautiful thing, and allowed me to actually enjoy giving birth.
- Falling completely, utterly and wholly in love with this little baby boy.
- Feeling the weight of responsibility of caring for this tiny life, and realizing that I am more vulnerable than I have ever been before. But also knowing that I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Taking the kiddo home, finally, and feeling as though he had always been there. He completed our lives in a way I could never have imagined.
Did you have a favorite part about giving birth? What was it?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh! Happy 2nd birthday!! I think the 2nd is a little harder. There’s so much excitement with the 1st that it’s easier to forget they’re “not babies” anymore, but the 2nd birthday is really more grown up! Enjoy your celebrations!!
.-= mandi@itscome2this´s last blog ..Get your favorites ready!! =-.
Happy 2nd Birthday!! It’s like you said, I mourn their babyhood but I SO LOVE their growing up!!
My favorite (?) part of labor was when I first saw both of them. I could not believe how much of their own person they were. I thought I’d feel a big connection, instead I was amazed at how unique and different God made them.
Beautiful post, Alli!
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: 2010 Disney World Moms Panel Training Day 3 =-.
@oh amanda, I saw that right away in my son too, his unique personality. From day one he had the sassiest pout, which he now uses 200-300 times a day.
What a beautiful post! Happy Birthing Day to you, and of course happy birthday to your little boy! T’s birthday is Saturday – I can’t wait.
.-= amber´s last blog ..Banishing the Baby Belly is on Hiatus. =-.
@amber, She’s going to be 1 right? That’s such a special birthday.
My favorite part of my 5th labor was getting an epidural for the first time. Oh, man, that was nice! I told the midwife I had nothing left to prove (had done the other four births w/o medication).
I also loved that my 13yo daughter got to be there to see her brother born.
.-= Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig´s last blog ..Combining Creativity and Commerce =-.
@Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig, That’s so cool that your 13yo got to be there!
Happy 2nd Birthday! The Munchkin just turned 1 today, and as you said you were in your post, I am overcome with emotion and sentimental feelings. It’s oh so bittersweet. To answer your question, my favorite part about giving birth was that moment I finally got to hold her in my arms and fall instantly in love. The rest of the drama of labor and pregnancy just faded into the background as I stared at this little creature and became a mom.
.-= Doing the Mom Thing´s last blog ..A Letter to The Birthday Girl =-.
My favorite part of labor? Finding out that the little creature I had been cooking for 9+ months (because of course he couldn’t arrive early or on time!) was in fact a HE! It was such a wonderful surprise to hear the doctor proclaim that!!
My second favorite part of labor? Definitely the drugs…They were wonderful!