Happy Birthday Alex

Happy 6th Birthday Alexander!

6 years ago today, I was awaiting the birth of a little boy who had been such a good baby while in my belly.

 I had a perfect pregnancy other than a little feet swelling and heartburn.

 After 36 hours of labor and an emergency c-section, you came out eyes wide open, ready to take on the world.
Of course all the men in the room were proud that you came out just in time for the start of Game One of the World Series, 

featuring your Daddy's favorite team, the Chicago White Sox.

It was a bit of work to get you into the world, but so worth it. Our lives have never been the same.

 I was so inexperienced at taking care of a baby. You were so fussy and colicky.

It seemed when you weren't sleeping, you were crying and we tried everything we could to soothe you as best we could. 
Colicky is not a word any new Mom wants to hear and we were all exhausted!
All the Grandmas I knew would say, "Difficult babies become good teenagers."  Lord, I hope that is one wives tale that is true. 

 It always seemed Daddy could soothe you the best. You loved to cuddle on his chest and get warm and cozy.

Your Daddy and I waited a long time for you. We planned and saved money all in the hopes that we would be able to bring a child into this world. We had no idea how profoundly our lives would be blessed.

I suppose every new parent says it, but you just have no idea of the capacity of your love for another human being, until you become a parent.  Whenever I think of you, my heart swells so big, I can barely contain it. 

Your Papa was so proud to be the one to baptize you. God had given us such a precious gift.

 I'm so thankful your Grandma Chris got to know you before she passed away.
Now she is your personal angel in heaven.

 By the time you were a year old, your Daddy and I were old-hands at the baby stuff. You started teething at 3 months old! Just when you were growing out of the collicky stage, we were thrown for another curve ball.

And then you started becoming more and more independent, showing us more of your personality.
We used to say you had an old soul because some days it seemed like a grumpy old man was stuck in a baby boy's body. But when you smiled, you could light up a room. Folks would stop us everywhere we went just to tell us what an adorable baby we had.

 The following year, you became very familiar with the word "no" and "time out".  
You were always challenging us in one way or another. That's the job of a toddler I suppose.
You were always making us laugh at your antics (still do!). And you learned to love sweet tea and haven't looked back since.

You love robots and legos. And you are a total Momma's boy and a little piece of me hopes you always stay that way.
Your Daddy and I want nothing more in this world than for you to grow up happy, loved and with a big family of your own one day with a wife who appreciates you for the good soul you are. 

And I pray in the future you'll still want to call your old Momma to say you love her.

You say you want to grow up one day and be a scientist who drives race cars.
And you'd like to build a robot that cleans houses. (Just be sure I'm the one who gets the first one, okay?)
I'm thinking it's time to introduce you to Rosie from The Jetson's. I think you'd like that cartoon.
By the time you were 4 1/2, you had already learned how to swim (after much fuss at not wanting to learn).

 

We love you so much baby.
You are such a great kid. You say please and thank you.
You are generous with your hugs and kisses.
You are picky and ask a million questions and you don't like to listen sometimes.
But we wouldn't have you any other way (except the listening could improve a little...).

Happy Birthday Alex!
This world is a better place because you are in it.


Love,
Momma and Daddy