My Boys Is 10 Today

Where does the time go? I remember people telling me to enjoy the moments when Brendan was born. I knew what they meant, but in the midst of being a first time parent, you forget to enjoy it sometimes.

I wanted Brendan long before I ever became pregnant. I daydreamed about what he would look like. I longed to hold my own baby, to be a mom. I have always told Brendan the reason he is so special is because he made me a mom.

When Brendan came into this world, he made a spectacular entrance. After an extremely long and difficult labor, he entered the world. My joy was short-lived when I realized I hadn't heard him cry and there were many doctors crowded around him. He had fluid in his lungs and needed to be transported to the NICU. They showed him to me before he was whisked away. I longed to hold him, but because of his condition, it would have to wait. He had to be placed in an oxygen tent to help clear out his lungs and he also had a rapid heartbeat. Todd and I would make the trek from my room to the NICU to look at him and touch his hand. It wasn't how I thought it would be, but I was patient.

When my health improved, I was able to go home, but Brendan had to stay. It was heart wrenching to say the least, to leave the hospital without our baby. I cried the whole way home. The only bright spot of that day was that I got to hold him finally. And his heartbeat slowed down to a normal rhythm once I held him. Oh the joy of finally holding our son!!

Two days later, the doctors finally released Brendan and we got to bring him home. Those first few weeks were scary, but we managed. We all got to know each other. We learned how to work together. We became a family. I miss those days.

Brendan was a delightful baby. He was so happy when he woke up in the mornings. I would come into his room and he would be standing up in his crib smiling away. And when I would say "Good Morning!!" he would jump up and down and laugh. To this day, he is in a good mood when he wakes up. Brendan loved to sort the cans in the cupboard, play with blocks, "read" his books. He was smart and seemed to take it all in.

He liked to go for walks in the neighborhood. He'd sit in his stroller and we'd point out cars, animals, trees, colors. We'd stop at the park and he'd sit in the swing while I pushed. When we went on our first big vacation, he was the best baby. A long 15 hour flight to Australia didn't phase him at all. He was a trooper when he got his first ear infection, half a world away. He had a great time exploring a new land, meeting many new people.

When Brendan was 2, he became a big brother. He helped me and learned how to entertain his little brother. He didn't always want to share, didn't always like having a little brother, but he always did right by Daniel.

The early years seem so long ago. Now, he's a big boy. He's an excellent reader, a good student, and a lover of video games. He is sensitive and spiritual, he thinks about the big picture. We have had some great talks about God, Heaven, and Jesus Christ. He understands what it means to be a Christian, to be a good person. Brendan is in Cub Scouts and absolutely loves it. He loves to play chess, play Pokemon, swim, dive, and hike.

Brendan has a great sense of gratitude. If I take the boys out for a special treat, a day at a park, whatever, he always thanks me. And he thanks me without prompting from someone else. He's a good boy.

When I look at that blond haired, blue eyed boy, I am overcome with love. My firstborn is special because he made me a mom. Happy Birthday Brendan. I love you.