Back in the Day Thursday

It is August 4, 2006, at approximately 5:00 pm. My newborn son has just been put in my arms, and, despite the fact I’m so weak from four hours of pushing during contractions that were 30 seconds apart with little or no medication, (i.e. an epidural) I am in reverent and grateful awe for this miracle in my arms. How can he be so beautiful? How did I push an almost 8 lb vag ripper out of me? And why do I not care that I’m bleeding and in pain and feel like I got run over by a truck?

I don’t care because I see my beautiful boy. The boy I made, the boy I cared for and nurtured, the boy that made me a mother the second he was conceived. As I look at his enormous bright blue eyes, the pain melts away. And I realize that I’d do it all over again. The pain, the nausea, the bed-rest, the trips to the ER, the worry, the incessant worry…yes, I know, I’d do it all again, over and over for him in a flat heartbeat if I had to.

I’m inspecting him now, making sure he has all ten fingers and toes and belly button and ears that aren’t too big. And, as I look at him, I notice his nipples. His cute little button nipples.

And, in my weak, pregnancy/birthing fogged brain, I announced loudly, to the dozen or so people in the room,

“Brandon, Cade’s nipples are BIGGER than your’s!”

Leave it to me to slander a once in a lifetime moment. Yes, leave it to me...