remembering my mamaversary

Today is the sixth anniversary of the very first time I went into labor and didn't know it (otherwise known as my oldest son's birthday). A good friend wished me a "Happy Mamaversary" this morning, which I loved.

On each of my children's birthdays, I can't help but spend the day periodically reflecting back on what I was doing at this time on this day "x" years ago.  I've also found that the news of a close friend going into labor sends me down this memory lane as well.  It must be some sort of sickness I've inherited because my mom STILL does it, and I am 30-odd years old.  Every year when she calls to wish me happy birthday, the phone conversation always begins with, "X years ago at this time, I was....".  Unfortunately, I was born in a foreign country and her story always involves a lot of shouting in a language she didn't understand, dust bunnies under the hospital bed,lack of appropriate pain medication, and a post-birth infection that prevented her from nursing.  But hey, it's nice to hear how you came into the world and what warm fuzzies it brings your mom year after year after year.

My own Mamaversary story is far less dramatic, featuring only a minor snafu brought on by a rare Atlanta snowstorm (read: 5 flakes of snow) that shut down my OB's office.  Once I actually realized I was in labor and got settled into the hospital, it was all rainbows and roses and actually my most seamless labor of the three.  As a first time mom, I was surprised by how quick (8 hours - all in a day's work) and painless (at least until the epidural wore off and I could barely walk for three weeks) it all was.  I distinctly remember looking at my son about 6 hours after he was born and thinking, "I could do this again."  Which is how I ended up in that same hospital bed just 17 months later. 

When I was pregnant, I also distinctly remember feeling that I knew my life was about to change so profoundly, but knowing that I wouldn't understand how MUCH it would change until it actually happened.  And how true. At 4:45 pm on February 26th, with the arrival of a 7 lb 9 oz, 20 3/4 inch gift from God, I became a whole new person.  Aside from unwittingly bidding goodbye to the last worry-free moment of my life at 4:44 pm, I became capable of loving another human being on a dimension I previously didn't even know was possible.

It was such a positive experience that it would take two more babies before I could drive past the hospital without wishing I was checking in at that moment to deliver another sweet bundle of joy.  Fast forward 6 years and 3 children and the hospital-induced ovary aching has subsided.  But I still enjoy the annual mental replays of three of the most important days of my life.  So this year I'll be raising a glass of champagne to go with my cake.  Happy Birthday to Cade and Happy Mamaversary to me! 

Comments

[Kimie]

Hey it's my son's bday today too! He is 2! he was born via c section, and I will never forget when they pulled him out and said it's a boy...and he's peeing! A character from the start :)

[Emily]

Only 8 hours of labor? Yeah, I don't think we can be friends any more. ;)
Happy Birthday, Cade and happy mamaversary to you!!!

[jenni]

Happy birthday to your big and happy mamaversary to you.

[Jan]

I love this:
"Aside from unwittingly bidding goodbye to the last worry-free moment of my life at 4:44 pm, I became capable of loving another human being on a dimension I previously didn't even know was possible."

So so true.... (esp. the bidding goodbye to all worry-free moments from here on out)

Happy birthday to your sweet boy! :)

[Linda]

Happy Mamaversary to you! I remember the day he was born as I was 4 weeks away from delivering my first baby. Oh they grow up so very quickly. Happy Birthday Cade!

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