Seven years have passed since I first met Jacob.
I never imagined my first pictures of my first child would be like this. When I look at this picture I'm taken right back to that moment. I'm still sitting there half numb and loopy in that wheelchair trying to convince myself that, yes, that's my baby. My baby whose birthday would be March 4 like my bracelet stated instead of April 26 like we had expected. I touched my belly a lot that day because I could not believe he wasn't there anymore. March 4, 2001 did not turn out as we had planned. We did not take the dog to the park to enjoy the nice weather. We did not go to the movie we wanted to see. We did not sleep late or wake up in our own bed. Instead, we spent the day in a whirlwind of brain scans, oxygen levels, heart rates, and feeding tubes.
We were lucky.
For a thirty-two weeker he did surprisingly well, but it was still so hard to leave him there night after night. It seemed like forever he was in that NICU but it was only three weeks. Three very long weeks. Sometimes those three weeks seem longer than the seven years he's been home with us. How did the time go by so quickly?
I can't believe that four pound baby is now a fifty four pound boy.
Golly. I can't believe how much I've aged in seven years. These kids are killing me, man. Ouch. Wasn't I just seven?
Last night I watched a show with an eight year old girl and thought, "Oh wow, what a big kid." and then I realized I also have a big kid. I am forever thinking of him as a four year old. I mean, I know he's not four, but it's almost like time stopped at four for me and he is forever that little in my mind. Yeah, I might have a little crazy going on, but I still think of myself as having little children. When did he get big?
But I officially have a big kid now. Seven year olds do not like Thomas or watch Noggin or play Leapster TV. Seven year olds watch Boomerang and play Game Boy and write four page cursive book reports. They do karate and play soccer and eat sushi instead of chicken nuggets. They take the garbage out and wash the cars and take baby sisters on horsey rides on the carpet. They are opinionated but can be easily swayed with a little love or a little dessert.
Seven. It's the new ten. Heaven help me.
14 comments:
7 going on 17, huh? Wow, time sure does fly. I loved hearing a little about his birth/NICU stay. My son was born at 39 weeks and unexpectedly spent a week in the NICU (biggest baby in the room, ha). So it was interesting for me to hear your perspective. It is truly amazing. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Jacob!
I can't imagine leaving the hospital without my baby,I was so scared of that last year when I was in the hospital at 31 weeks. Children are amazing though, you certainly can't tell now that he was so tiny!
What a touching tribute! Happy 7 years to you both!!!!
Happy Birthday to your 7 year old boy!! Time does go by too fast doesn't it?
Happy Birthday Jacob!
*tear* Love that post. Happy 7 Years!
What a great post about your seven year old practically a grown up boy.
Are you saying only three more years of Noggin????
I love that picture of the kids on your layout! It's so cute!
Happy 7 years to both you and Jacob!!
What a great post! That Jacob is a real trooper. By the way, love the new picture at the top of your blog. Too cute. :)
Happy birthday, big kid! And congratulations on 7 years of a job well-done, Andria!
I LOVE the new header. It's adorable!
I'm late, but happy (belated!) 7th birthday! He sure has come a long way!
I love the pic in your header - I can't get over how much she looks like each of her brothers!
Boy did this post really touch my heartstrings. I had twins and was so blessed to keep them baking until 36 weeks, 6 days. My oldest is 5 now. It's hard watching them get so big. It happens so fast. My babies aren't babies anymore, they are almost 21 months. Hard to believe they are so close to two!
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