Happy Birthday Mr. Big!!!

Today at 12:18 a.m. my baby boy (a.k.a. Mr. Big) will turn 8 years old.

On this day 8 years ago, I started to feel some mild contractions (thanks to the magic tea from the Jamaican dude at the health food store - he was due on 12/25 and he just wasn't coming so, I helped in along so he and I wouldn't be in the hospital on Christmas) and I was thrilled, excited, and panicked.
So, we quickly went home so I could finish up the laundry, do some quick cleaning, take a shower (and ya know that I had to shave those legs too) and make sure everything was "just so" before heading out the door a wee bit after 10:30 to drop off the kids at my mom & dad's and head over to the hospital in the snow-storm. It was beautiful!

The room was amazing and cozy and we had the draperies open so I could watch the snow falling in the moonlit sky. Some wonderful classical music playing on the cd player and I was happy. I was a little upset because I was feeling some serious icky stuff and I'd never ever felt a contraction before. In fact, with each contraction I saw stars. Apparently this is not unusual. But, I'm a drug-free mama, so I was gonna stick it out.  But, it was getting really bad so I caved. They covered up all the medical stuff and wheeled it in the room and gave me an epidural. I felt soooo guilty. That was at about 11:45. Everything moved along quite smoothly until I had heard the word Cesarean. At that point I panicked and gave one big whopping push and stopped short when I heard the doctor scream "STOP". Apparently Mr. Big had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and tied in a knot. Goofy baby! But, he was perfect!! BIG, put perfect. LOL. All 8lbs 15.5 oz of him. Considering my other babies we 7 lbs and 7.1 lbs. - this was one big dude.

He has been the most amazing blessing. Our bonus baby. He is named after his great uncle and his papa. We nick-named him BIG because he was (and still is) bigger than the average kiddo. But, he is also the sweetest, kindest, most loving and caring kid in the world. He does have some issues. He is a 50 year old man trapped in an 8 year old body. People are drawn to him, always have been. He is extremely hyper-sensitive too and rather quirky. That is what gave him his second nick-name of "Rain-Main". All of that aside, he brings my heart more joy each day than I ever would have thought possible.

So, what are his birthday plans?

He has to go to school, but it is birthday book day so he gets to go and pick out a book for free from the principal at his school. He's passing out Dunkin Donut Munchkins to all his classmates (he's really ticked off that Krispie Kreme closed because for the past 2 years he has always brought Krispie Kreme Donuts on his birthday). 

After school he's going to play in the snow with his cousins for a bit and then we're heading out for his big birthday dinner. He chose Red Robin. 

We got him a gift card to Ridemakerz (the boy version of build a bear) so we'll surprise him with that after dinner. Then we'll be heading home for homework and showers, etc.

Saturday is his big family party. 50 of our closest family members will be coming over to celebrate with cake and coffee and loads of presents.



His extra-special treat comes during the Christmas break. He gets to go to Lego World and he can bring one friend. He wanted a party with 20 friends, but at $35 dollars per child we had to say no way dude. Just two kids is out of control expensive. But, it is one very amazing place and he is a Lego-Maniac.

So, here's to you Mr. Big - from your mama. Thank you for being the best kiddo each and every day.

And what do you say when mama asks you "How much do you love the mama"?

"Too much, too much I love the mama".

From me to you, always and forever - forever and always. You will always be my baby boy.