Five years ago today...

I remember working that morning, trying to finish some last things before being on leave for 2 months without a replacement. It was only a half day but, I’m so glad I went into work that morning, if nothing else, to keep my mind busy.

I left about noon to meet Jeremy and go to the hospital. We met up with A and her mom and followed them there. I think that may have been the longest drive of my life! Jeremy and I chattered about what Jacob would look like, how long labor would be, what would happen between now and his birth, and of course, if his biological parents would change their minds.

We all checked into the hospital at 2 PM. We took A. up to her room, she got changed and ready for the hard work ahead. The Dr. came in and got everything together to induce labor. And we waited, and we waited, we took turns going outside to smoke and we waited. A and I walked the halls, around and around, stopping first at the only the 2 diagonal corners so she could breathe through the contractions, and once that turned to stopping in all the corners, we headed back to her room and we waited. I remember the Dr. came in to ask if we wanted a baby on the 7th or the 8th. A. looked to us for the answer. “It doesn’t matter – do what’s best for him and for A.”, we said. The Dr. opted to help the labor along a little more and went to lie down.

The contractions increased but, she wasn’t making much progress. The nurse suggested a warm bath. A tried to relax, the contractions were increasing and the tub wasn’t providing much relief. A. crawled back into her bed. Jeremy took the opportunity to head outside. Soon after he’d left , the contractions were so close together, she could barely speak. A called for the nurse. When she arrived, she was hollering “don’t push, don’t push!”

A. finally spoke.  She yelled, “I have to he’s coming!”

There was no time to call for the Dr. The nurse moved the blankets, moved A’s knees apart and there was the most perfectly round, little head covered in brown hair. She was right, he was coming - he was here! December 7, 2005 at 11:15 PM my Jacob Andrew was born (Jacob = the last name of the guy that introduced Jeremy and I. Andrew = A picked for him). All 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 20 inches of him were finally here!

I called Jeremy’s cell phone and simply said, “Hi Daddy.  Come in and meet our son.”

Being Jacob’s mom these past five years, with all of the challenges, inconveniences, annoyances, smiles, laughs, tears, triumphs, the utmost pride, and absolutely overwhelming joy, have been the best 5 years of my life!  I'd do it all again, a hundred times over, with him.

Happy Fifth Birthday, (Bean, Toad, Jay, JB, JJ, Buddy, Babushka, Beautiful Boy) Jacob!

I love you more than EVERYTHING!