11 years ago today....

Good morning, it is 4:30am here. Do you know what you were doing at this exact time 11 years ago? I do. I was just arriving at the hospital, walked into ER and told them I was in labor. That's right, my baby boy is 11 years old today.

On Monday, May 24, 1999 - Matthew was born at 6:30am - 7lbs 10oz and 21.5 inches long.

I wasn't prepared to go into labor and have him on the 24th...because of the gestational diabetes I had while pregnate with Matthew, I was scheduled to be induced on May 26th. But I guess he had other ideas :)

All day on Sunday, May 23rd I didn't feel very well - but I did go to the dance recital Robert participated in (he was only 3.5 at the time and it was ok to be the only boy in a preschool dance recital) and then, while DH and Robert napped that afternoon, I felt the need to run to the toy store to purchase some "big brother gifts" as well as run to the grocery store to stock up the house. That evening, unlike the prior 2 weeks prior to Matthew's arrival, I was sticken with insomnia and very itchy feet, so I basically stayed up and watched the older Star Wars movies during the wee hours of the morning while DH and Robert (younger son) slept. But that evening/early morning, I started getting strange pains...and by 3am I felt the need to breath through these strange pains...around 3:30am, I decided to wake up DH to let him know that "I thought I might be in labor...but I wasn't sure." So I called up my OBGYN and asked her...when I started breathing through a contraction while on the phone, she decided that I wasn't fooling and told me to get to the hospital.

My mother arrived around 4am (we lived in Minnesota, near family, at the time both boys were born) so DH & I could leave Robert home while going to the hospital. Within 2 hours our second son was born.

Dearest Matthew

Happy 11th Birthday!

It is hard to believe how fast time flies by, which I measure by your physical and mental growth each day. You are one of my cherish miracles and one that sees into my soul.

You provide much love and support to those around you.

Even with your little devilish side,

there is that sparkle in your eye that can put a smiles on ones face.

I am so proud of how your are growing up - with an interest in the world around you and desire to better yourself.
Matthew, I love you and feel very blessed to wake up every day to your smiling face!

Happy 11th Birthday...

Mom