Friday, January 9, 2009

3: a bittersweet day

I just put my three-year-old to bed for the very first time.
Jax was officially three today - at 11:46 p.m. to be exact. It is a bittersweet occasion. I am so excited to see him grow and change and accomplish new things; yet, at the same time, I am sad that he is becoming more independent in the process and he doesn't depend on me as much anymore.

Today, I have been thinking about all of the things that have happened over the last three years, and how FAST time flies. I remember being so excited about finally getting to meet the sweet little boy that I had been carrying for nine months. The hospital was so busy that day, we got the very last room, and that was only after they sent home another mother-to-be who was scheduled to be induced. I will never forget hearing him cry for the first time. Boy, did he let us all know that he had arrived. ha. I remember that head full of hair and quivering bottom lip; I remember noticing his wide hands and long feet. There were so many baby Boys born that day, they actually ran out of blue blankets. So, Jax was welcomed into the world with a warm, pink blanket instead. ha. He hasn't worn pink since. I remember staring at him at three o'clock in the morning, just barely three hours after he had made his grand entrance. I was wide awake and the hospital was quiet, and I was just... well, staring... in awe. He was amazing. He still is. Amazing.

I am reminded of the sweetest children's book. I'll Love You Forever should be required reading for all parents - especially Mama's of little boys. In the story, the mother sings this song to her little boy as he grows:
"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."

so, so true. Happy Birthday, Jax! I love you... forever.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This post brought tears to my eyes! I agree, it is so bittersweet to see your baby grow up. I love all the new pictures. Jax and Joy are both adorable!

Beth said...

I love reading about you and your kiddos! Of course it is REALLY hard for me to picture you as a mom of not one, but TWO sweeties! LOL!! I still see you as not much more than a baby yourself (does this mean that I am getting terribly old??) We need to all catch up. Next time I know ahead of time that we are heading to B'haven, I'll let you know. Maybe if nothing too much is going on we can all do something?

Angela said...

I answered your question in my comments section, but then I wasn't sure if that was the appropriate question answering behavior for blogs, ha.

StephF said...

Just found your blog today, Neisha. I love your story & that book makes me cry. I can't read the whole thing. Jesse has to finish it for me, ha!

Anonymous said...

That is too cute! I wonder how I will feel when my guy is 3 or 10 or 30...

I will have to say that I thought that book, "I'll love you forever" is a bit creepy. The mom sneaks into her grown son's house. Just think of your mother-in-law coming to your house to hug your husband...