Oh, Bee...like Connor, everyday this little man surprises and amuses me. He hasn't met a woman he doesn't like, he also hasn't met any food or snack he doesn't like (which explains his "man chub" and "moobies" which make him just that much more delectable)--yes, I enjoy talking about Bee (or BooBoo) like he's a yummy French dessert. Why? Because he reminds me of a hybrid of a sweet macaroon and decedent chocolate eclair. I never thought I'd be that mom, but yes...I threaten to eat his little face off every day and I also promise to nibble on those chubby legs whenever we get ready for bath time. I know I'll need to cut it out before he hits high school. Otherwise that would be weird.
Matthew was born on July 23, 2013--two weeks before his due date (just like his big brother!). My water broke as I was chowing down my peanut butter covered waffles drenched in syrup (no judging--by this point I was so miserably pregnant that I gave myself a free pass to whatever sounded good to me). Connor was on his way home from spending time with his dad. I sit on the couch, turn on the Today show and "it" happened--my water broke. Now, this never happened with Connor, so I was worried that something even scarier had happened--that I'd peed my pants. I ran to the bathroom and thank goodness, my bladder control was still intact. However, I was definitely in labor. And scared shitless. It had been 9 years since this happened after all.
In full disclosure, I called Dylan and Connor's dad from the toilet (I mean, I was paralyzed people). Dylan had the momentary "This can't possibly be happening, it's Monday morning and I have meetings scheduled all day" to which I replied, "If you don't get your skinny ass home right away I will personally kick it up and down the halls of St. V's once we get there". He arrived VERY shortly thereafter.
For weeks we both had "go bags" packed up, all the necessities for labor and the stay thereafter. We hit the highway, my contractions in full swing. Every bump in the road or short stop at a light felt like i was donating a kidney with no pain meds on the black market (at this point, my selfishness was still in full force. I was way more concerned about my pants getting wet because *God forbid* someone thinks I pissed my pants and I wasn't even thinking about the baby, I was picturing my "happy place"--that beautiful spinal tube and medication that has changed labor forever).
We had left our neighborhood when Dylan informs me he has left his cell phone at home. Really?!?!? You remembered your man face and eye creams, laptop, iPad, pressed button-down shirts and khakis, and extra pair of shoes WITH shoetrees...but you forgot your damn cell phone? We turn around as I'm grasping the dashboard trying to not reach over and put the sleeper hold on him. After we turned around we got stuck behind...a combine. You know, the ones that are like tractors that drive like 10 mph? Yep, one of those. I started screaming, "GO AROUND! GO AROUND!". Dylan did and we were able to acquire the cell phone and hit the road once again. Dylan dug his hole even deeper when he had the audacity to say, "You know, we'll laugh about this someday". Right (for the record, still not laughing).
To make a long story short, Bee came very quickly. He knew what he wanted and he wanted OUT. He was beautiful. A full head of dark hair, these wide blue eyes that sucked you in and made you feel like you never wanted to look away. His hands were precious, his fingers long and immediately wrapped around mine. Tears were streaming down my face. Here was this precious human being I had shared a body with for almost nine months. He was mine. It was just as amazing as when I had Connor.
Since Bee has been born he has kept us on our toes. He wasn't the greatest sleeper, but Dylan stepped up to the plate and took over nighttime feedings pretty early so I could get some rest for the long days ahead. Connor is the most amazingly patient and generous big brother we could have ever hoped for. When Dylan travels, Connor assumes the role of "man of the house". Bee loves his Bubba (Connor) so much, he lights up when Connor comes into the room and will just sit and watch him in amazement for hours. We've already prepared Connor to be ready for a "stage-5 clinger" once Bee starts moving because Bubba's room is where he's going to want to be. As a matter of fact, the first clear word Bee has said is, "Bubba!".
It's been almost 7 months since this little creature entered our lives and we are forever changed. We have all bonded in ways I never imagined, it's exhausting and difficult at times but it's elating more of the time...it's the best job in the world. I am lucky enough to stay home with both of the boys and I wouldn't have it any other way (well, except I'd love to train Bee to wait and drop a deuce until AFTER I've had my morning coffee because that's just more polite. Oh, and also not to do it in the car on the way to Target because those bathrooms are just nasty).
Yes, I'm surrounded by testosterone and I love it--because at the same time, I am also surrounded by boundless love from my boys. I'm blessed to have friends who are in the same boat and if you ask any one of us about our "boys", our faces light up and the love is so evident.
I can't wait to see how Bee grows and what he'll be like. He's already showing a temper like his mama (and a little bit of stubbornness), a desire to move and be active and get what he wants when he wants it, but he's also showing tenderness--like when he caresses my face as I feed him his bottle. He's almost crawling and I know once that happens time flies by even more quickly--so in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy every poopy diaper, oatmeal crusty smiles, open mouthed giggles from being tickled, and those first of the morning grins. As I know from raising Connor, it all goes by too quickly and I want to cherish every one of those moments with my new lovely family.
No comments:
Post a Comment