How it all began....

It seems like only yesterday but really it was almost 19 years ago when I first found out that we were having our first child. I was excited but when the pregnancy test turned positive, I admit I felt a sense of dread. What did I get myself into? I didn't know the first thing about babies and I certainly didn't have a clue what it meant to be a mother of a toddler, school-aged child and, God forbid, a teenager! But I figured I had a pretty supportive family and they'd fill me in (or at least not let me ruin the child for life!)

I was just about 16 weeks pregnant when I had a sonogram to check the baby out. My AFP test came back elevated (I never had that test again) and gave me an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida. I was really petrified then! The options were to have a sonogram and then an amniocentesis to determine if the baby really did have spina bifida. The sonogram was perfect.. no markers of anything wrong.

As anyone who knows me knows, I HATE surprises! I had to know what the baby was... if I didn't, it would be like carrying around a Christmas present for months and never taking a peak. I told the sonographer that I really wanted to know what the baby was and she said she'd do her best. She didn't have to tell me a thing for as if almost pressed up against the screen was the very clear image of male genitalia! Now, mind you, that was almost 19 years ago and sonograms were good but nothing like the 3-D or 4-D sonograms they have today! I was thrilled (I guess I would have been happy that the baby was healthy regardless of its gender).

It didn't hit me at first but it was awe-inspiring to know that I was carrying around a little boy in my body. I had no experience with little boys as I am one of 3 girls. I suddenly made grand plans for him. He'd certainly be an athete. Probably he'd be pretty smart. Of course, he'd be good-looking and charming. And he'd go to one of the private all boys' schools in our area. Even before he was fully developed, I had plans!

I remember just giggling when the sonographer said, "I'm glad you wanted to know what it was because that was pretty obvious!" My next comment surprised even me. I said, "Well, at least I don't have to pay for his wedding!" The sonographer, my mother and I cracked up. What a peculiar thing to say.

The pregnancy progressed pretty smoothly except for a bout of preterm labor. Bedrest cured that and much to my dismay, I had to be induced at 37 weeks gestation. They started the pitocin at 7am on a Friday; my little boy didn't meander his way into this world until nearly 1:15 on Saturday afternoon! Even then, he wasn't in much of a hurry!

When they handed him to me for the first time, I commented to my husband that he didn't have an instruction booklet dangling from his toes. What the *!~# were we going to do now??

As luck would have it, he was a pretty easy baby. He slept all night by the time he was 6 weeks old (which was good because I went back to work full time at that exact time!) He was easy-going and charming. His bouncy blonde curls and vivid blue eyes reflected his personaity. He was our baby boy....

Well, that baby boy has now turned 18 years old and will graduate from high school in just 2 weeks. I look back to that day in 1991 and I can't believe the time has flown so quickly! Did my dreams for my first born come true? For the most part, they did.

He was born healthy and at 3 weeks early, weighed in at 8 pounds. He was smart in elementary school but then middle school hit and he was suddenly not that interested in good grades. He comments to me to this day that there's nothing wrong with 80s and I guess he's right.

He didn't go to the private all boys' school although he did get accepted there 4 years ago. He chose instead to go the local public school and that has been the wisest decision of all! He has grown into a remarkable young man. He did become an athlete, a football and basketball MVP. Amazingly, he hated playing hockey (even though my husband and his family love to play the game...one cousin even played professionally).

He is a handsome young man and more importantly, he is a respectful and respectable young man. Teachers like him. His fellow students like him. Most importantly, he likes himself.

In the following posts, I'll share some of the funny stories and experiences we've had with him but now it's time to post about the next son in the line of 3 boys.