Monday, December 10

Time Passages


The night my eldest son was born the clock had only recently passed the moment which delineates one day from the next. I had begun labor earlier that evening, in fact Don and I were at the herb shop searching for a tincture which would make my contractions strong and regular when we realized the threshold of early labor had been crossed and we were now fully into the game of bringing a baby into the world. We placed the cohosh bottle back on the shelf and drove home to call the midwife, climb into the bathtub and have ourselves a baby.

It didn't all go according to plan, really. I labored at home for a couple of hours while Don poured hot water he had boiling in kettles on the stove into the tub to keep the water steamy for me. Somewhere around 9:00 p.m. we ventured out (he coaching my breathing all the way) to the birth center. A couple of hours after that, we were on the move again. This time in an ambulance for a brief ride to the hospital located nearby. It wasn't an emergency, as yet, but all involved in the process thought it might be best for us to be at the hospital as a just in case measure.

Just in case never happened, and just after midnight Ian emerged --without assistance--to the collective gasp, wonder and awe of all 7 of us--Don, me, my midwife, the on call OB, and the three nurses--in the room. It was an incredibly cool moment.

Several hours post birth of my 9 pound baby boy, Don left the two of us at the hospital and drove himself to school to take a final exam. Several hours after that, the three of us went home as a family.

And now here we are 14 years later.

The family grew a little. Ian grew a little. We changed locations a little.
We've learned a lot along the way.
None of it has ever really gone according to plan.

But I really wouldn't have it any other way. From the beginning with this boy--who now looks me square in the eye and will be looking down at the top of my head in a few month's time--life has been a series of firsts and adventures. First borns get that a lot. All the mistakes, trials, errors, and missteps of first time parents. All the responsibility of being the oldest kid in the family. All the wishing you were a sometime youngest child instead.

This one seems like he can take anything. He takes on his challenges with grace. He has a steady head. He works hard. He is a (mostly) patient big brother. He is loving, sweet, kind and careful. Hey, the boy even puts the toilet seat down. He's good, really he is.

A Mom couldn't ask for more from a kid. And a kid couldn't give more to a Mom.

Happy Birthday buddy. I love you to the moon.

21 comments:

  1. Ohhhh, Jenn. So beautiful. I hope he has a wonderful day!!!

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  2. Happy Birthday Ian! And congrats to his mom! Sounds like you are BOTH lucky!!

    And Ian does share this day with several important beings - both human and canine.

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  3. What a great kid! Happy Birthday!

    (Gorgeous writing, too!)

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  4. What a beautiful tribute and a wonderful kid! Hope everyone has a happy day.

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  5. That was beautiful tribute. I hope your son read it.

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  6. What a lovely post! Happy Birthday Ian!

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  7. Gosh, a lovely post. I look forward someday to writing something similar about my boys... (you've made me a bit teary!)

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  8. Happy Birthday! December 10th is a big day for birthdays. Must have been a cold March.

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  9. happy birthday. We miss you, we love you! Sam is almost 6 feet tall, what happened to our little short guys?

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  10. Happy Birthday IAN! That was so sweet!

    My eldest is now 15, somehow now looks at the top of my head. My hubby being 5ft 7, I 5ft 5, he must be 5ft 6. He too was born just after midnight, 12:46, or as I was in the Navy at the time 00:46

    Everyone jokes at the zero hour. :)

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  11. Happy Birthday Ian. I hope it's a wonderful day.

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  12. You know how to tug on the heartstrings!

    Happy Birthday to Ian and congratulations to you!

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  13. Sweet post, Jenn! And Happy B'day to Ian. I can tell you, 14 is a grand age! And yes, he will be looking at the top of your head very soon.

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  14. Congrats Darlin'! And Happy Birthday buddy!! There is something special about the firstborn, all the memories seem to have just a tinge of wistfulness because so many things are changed forever. And the rest of the brood get a kind of "been-there, done-that, bought-the-T-Shirt" attitude for most of their milestones! But no matter the birth order, they seem to grow up so fast.
    Lovely post! Beautiful boy!

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  15. OK, I admit it - I teared up reading this. It was beautiful, but that's only because the subject and the author are both beautiful, too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAN!

    (He may put the seat down, but does he flush?)

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  16. Please give Ian a big birthday hug from me--fourteen is a pretty nifty age (and what a Handsome fellow!).

    Thanks for sharing this "first adventure" with us. It was so good it turned out well, without any emergency, and both you and baby healthy and happy. Nine pounds, WOW--I thought 8 pounds 3 ounces was big (my second born).

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  17. One of the most beautiful tributes to a son I've ever read. Happy birthday to all of you.

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  18. Tell Ian I say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I wrote him an email, but it's been sent back to me...can you please send me the correct email? I send my love to all of you!:)

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  19. happy (slightly belated) birthday, Ian! :)

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