Today my son turns 15 and just like that (snap fingers here), I’m left only with lovely memories of the years that have so swiftly flown by. We have a family tradition every birthday my sons want to hear the story of their birth.
I start off by telling them how it was not easy to conceive either one of them. It took years to get pregnant with both of them but they were definitely worth the wait. This year I decided to write Blake a letter about his birth. It was an exciting, wow, did-that-just-happen kind of delivery. I have an especially memorable birth story for you.
Dear Blake,
You are my heart and soul, I remember vividly the moment you entered my world. You were due on September 22, which we thought was a great because it’s your Dads birthday. While most doctors can give moms their due date, it’s God who is truly in charge of when and where a baby will be born.
My labor with you was virtually non-existent
On Friday August 31, 2001, I woke up at 5:15AM because I needed to use the bathroom. Afterwards I could not fall back to asleep so I got up. Your Dad asked if I was ok, told him my stomach hurt a little. Then went into the office to wrap up Austin’s gift that you were bringing him upon your birth, it was a complete fireman outfit including yellow boots.
About an hour later I was sweating and my stomach felt like I had to use the bathroom. Later on the doctor explain to me that the sweating and stomach ache were my painless contractions. These contractions were nothing compared to the ones I had when your brother was born.
Ready or not here I come
I went back to the master bedroom, talked to your Dad and we decided that he would take me to the doctors office. Seeing how my water had not broken and I thought I had not dilated, there was no urgency so your Dad jumped in the shower.
Austin woke up and came into our bedroom, half asleep. I’m now having really bad stomach aches so I go to the toilet! When your Dad was done taking a shower, he opened the door, and said you don’t look to good, I’m call 911. He called from the bedroom phone that was connected to the wall but he was still able to see me. The 911 dispatcher tells him the ambulance is on its was but to stay on the phone with her just in case. By now Austin is wide-awake and is looking into the bathroom.
All of the sudden, I had one really sharp pain! I let out a yell and pushed and had a bowel movement. I remember thinking I feel so much better now. Then when I stood up to wipe you slipped out and hit the floor and cried for a second! At this time Austin is saying there is a baby on the floor…there is a baby on the floor. Your Dad drops the phone and rushes over to lay me down on the floor, then picked you up and put you on my chest. You looked as shocked as I did to that you were born!
Thank God you came out breathing on your own! When I think of all the things that could have gone wrong, I’m so grateful that there were no complications.
For some reason the fireman arrived before the ambulance. Fireman Dave clipped the umbilical cord and your Dad cut it. Then he wrapped you in a throw blanket Austin gave him. Afterwards Fireman Dave tells me its his first day on the job.
In the ambulance your were awake and sucking your thumb, the paramedic and I could not believe how alert you were.
The 911 dispatcher estimated that you were born at 6:30AM you were 18 inches long and weight 6 pounds 10 ounces. Delivering you was scary, and we know we were lucky there were no complications. It was an incredible experience that we’ll never forget. As you can image the last thing we had on our minds was taking pictures…you were born before smartphones were invented. I’m so grateful someone thought about it because these are the only 2 pictures I have of your birth.
A Few Birthday Wishes
Nurture Kindness: – You are a sensitive soul. You love deeply, you feel deeply, you hurt deeply. Assume that others do as well and treat them kindly. Share what you have, compliment- don’t criticize and offer to help whenever you can.
Your Dreams: Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.
Your heart: follow it. Your family: treasure them. Your friends: be loyal to them. Your fears: embrace them and allow them to make you stronger. The money you earn: respect it. Your passion: LIVE IT.
Honesty: Always tell the truth no need for lies. If your friends, family and teachers can’t trust you, it will hurt relationships, both personally and professionally.
Girls: They have a way of breaking a young man’s heart. I pray that one day you will find the perfect lady that will love you as much as I do. Until then, be very selective and careful with whom you entrust your heart. Your priority right now is to yourself and your education. Focus on that.
Be Yourself. It’s better to feel happy and content with a small group (or alone!) than it is to feel empty and lonely in a large, noisy crowd. Don’t be afraid to NOT follow the rest of the pack, as tempting as they may seem, because many times all those “cool kids” are simply too scared or too weak to be more than a just a follower.
Faith: Always have faith in God. I will be one step behind you, supporting your decisions and trusting in your goals and dreams. I have faith, that you can be anyone or anything you choose.
You will never know how deeply, I love you and Austin. Every decision I make, I think about how it will effect all 3 for us. I thank God for you every day and hope that the choices I’ve made along the way have been the right ones for you.
Thank you for bringing unimaginable joy to my heart each day and for making me the luckiest mom in the world.
Happy 15th Birthday Blake…. I love you forever,
Mom
Happy 15th Birthday
How many times have you been told “Enjoy it while they’re little! It goes by so fast!”? It was hard to believe when he was a toddler, but the years definitely went by way fast once he started school
Brandy
Such a beautiful post, I hope your son sees it! You sound like an amazing momma! Thank you for sharing your special moments with us.
Bianca Jenson
Brandy,
Thank You….yes Blake read his letter and gave me permission to share it.
CourtneyLynne
Awwwww what a handsome young man!!! Happiest of birthday Blake!!! Hope you had a fabulous one!
Whitney S.
This is incredibly sweet. I loved all the birthday wishes that you included in the letter! Happy Birthday to him!
Yona Williams
What a touching letter to your son, and wow…what an awesome birth story! I hope your son had a fabulous birthday!
Bianca Jenson
Yona,
I might have shed a tear or two while writing it. Thank you
Amanda Love
Time flies so fast doesn’t it? This is a very sweet message and you can really feel the love from a mother. I’m sure he grew up to be such a loving young man. He was raised very well!
Bianca Jenson
Amanda,
I’m very proud of the young man he has become. Thank You
christina aliperti
I love this. My son just turned 18 and it has been very bittersweet so far. It’s amazing to see how far they have come but kind of hard to let them go out into the world.
Bianca Jenson
Christina
Thank You, completely understand because I have an 18th year old son as well.
Debra
This was the sweetest post ever. I loved reading it. Happy Birthday to him!
Dawn McAlexander
That is an amazing story. I have to say, I wish my labor had been so easy. I was in labor for hours, and it really hurt. You were spared some of that anyway. By the way, Happy Birthday to your son!
Bianca Jenson
Dawn,
Thank You, I experienced a 9 hour labor with his brother, so I know what that feels like as well.
Jill Conyers
Happy birthday to your son. Time goes by so fast. Cherish every moment.
Stacey
What a beautiful birthday post dedicated to your son! It is crazy how fast they grow up.
Rebecca Bryant
Aw Happy Birthday to your beautiful baby boy. Here’s to a year of great memories and fun times
Susan
Oh wow, what a beautiful story. Blake is so handsome. Happy 15th Birthday to him!
Teresa
That is quite a story – no wonder he likes to hear it over and over. My births were never that exciting! C-sects and scheduled – so easy peasy for me.
Cynthia
The time sure flies huh? It sounds like he had an exciting start in life and I hope the excitement continues.
Terri Steffes
WOW! What a fantastic story! It was the fireman’s first day, can you even imagine? I bet he tells this story to this day! Happy Birthday!!
Bianca Jenson
Terri,
Thank You, he probably does….LOL
Karen
Aw…what a lovely tribute to your son! Yes – you blink and they are grown up before you know it! Enjoy every single moment… 🙂
Louise
It’s so dang hard watching them grow up. I remember my mom getting teary during my teen years every time a birthday would roll around.
Sheena Tatum
Senior year is SUCH a tough time not only for the student but the family as well. There’s so much pressure and change happening.