6 years in a flash

Dear Albert -

6 years ago at this time I was counting my first contractions with my first baby.  I remember staying up extra late and making your Daddy stay up with me and time my contractions because somehow, I just KNEW I was in labor and you would be here soon.  We called the doctor in the morning and then went in to get checked, and even though the Dr. thought we could wait a little more, he gave us the option to go to the hospital or go home… and so we went straight to the hospital.  The contractions were tolerable, and then they got more and more sore… and Daddy got more and more tired.  haha.  I remember crying and moaning and wincing in pain in the hospital bed and Daddy was curled up in the chair/lounger next to me more than half-asleep, reaching over the rail and patting me wherever his hand touched, mumbling “it’s okay, you’re doing good” and then falling right back asleep.  Boy was I PISSED at him for that.  haha.  And I remember them telling me that the baby was crowning but I couldn’t push because my Dr. wasn’t there yet… and then 30 minutes later, being able to pop that baby out.  All 7lbs 1.9oz of you.  And I got to hold you in my arms and I cried.

And here we are.  My Albert, you are SIX years old today. There was a book report to do for homework on Monday and you read almost the entire book “No, David!” aloud on the kitchen floor as Daddy and I made dinner.  You can get your little brother in and out of his car seat, taste test my baking experiments, craft with me and write me love notes almost every day.  You can tell us almost anything we’d want to know about the world of Marvel and like to take baths and brush your teeth by yourself because you’re a big boy and “can do it without you, mommy.”  You talk back and pick fights with Amare because you know you can get away with it.

Yet some nights, you still need me to rock you to sleep and I marvel at how this big boy started off as this tiny little thing that wouldn’t let me eat.  haha!!  You can’t always do your buttons and still need someone to lay down next to you to sleep.  You still (occasionally) wake up in the middle of the night crying for Mommy because you’re all by yourself in your big boy bed.  Everything you do is to gain our (but really, MY) approval and garner praise from anyone who matters to you.  And everyone you meet and smile at matters to you.  Albert, you care about every single person in your life and strive to make sure people are always happy.  You always hug me when I’m down and kiss my ouchies when I get hurt.  You make sure we’re all okay and if we’re not, you run away to your room to do something extra special like draw a picture or make up a song and dance.

And that’s how I know Daddy and I have molded this little boy into an incredible person.  You are such an incredible person!  I cannot imagine how we could have been happy before you came along and I cannot begin to imagine what kind of happiness and fullness we will have as we expand our family and watch you all grow up.  You are so beautiful, son… inside and out and though I will probably say this every year to every child on their special day, I just want to wish you the best and happiest birthday today and hope that it extends until we’re done celebrating!!

I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

=o) mommy