Cole came into our lives 7 years ago today. Before Cole life was simple, and we thought we had a good life. Oh what little you really know, until you hold your own child in your arms. It amazes me how complete my life felt the day he was placed in my arms. I can't believe it's been 7 years ago today. Now my life consists of kicking a path to get from one room to the other because there are constant toys scattered through the house. Planning trips to anyplace because you might need a change of clothes, coat, snacks, drinks, and knowing where the nearest potty is, and speaking of Potty... It seems that kids will leave you alone all day long until you need to use the potty yourself and they seem to form a revolving door around the bathroom when ever you sit on the toilet. It's not just the toilet either. The second you get naked and step foot under or in the tub or shower you are getting yelled at about something major happening while you are soaking wet! My van looks like a tornado blew through on any random day, except for the few seconds right after I spend HOURS cleaning it out and running the vaccume through it. I can't mow my own yard because of the fear a kid will come running out to me and I won't see them and cut their foot off. I swear sometimes I think we should rent a room at the Dr's office because it seems someone is always sick, injured, or needing shots or examined for some reason. Structured, planned life... this is life ABC (after Brody & Cole) funny thing is... I wouldn't change a second.
It humors me how we as humans can adapt. I was such a clean, neat freak before kids. I hated things out of place, I hated anything dirty. Now things seem to be in constant clutter, and filth! I spend my time cleaning up messes after they make them and never seem to be caught up because they seem to work faster making the messes than I can clean up the mess they just made. Now I am outnumbered. It's two against one and when they part ways, I am in BIG trouble! One is tearing something up in one place and the other is someplace else. It's a method of desaster and mass destruction that my boys have learned to accomplish in the very few years they have each been on this earth. Laundry piles up, so do dishes, my floors constantally need swept. I will get to it all eventually, I hope.
When I was a true neat freak, my father was alive. I used to put of going places and doing things because I was worried about my house, my laundry, my car, myself. Then in the blink of an eye my father was taken from me. I learned to quickly take a step back and try not to sweat the small stuff. This was super hard for me. I had to learn to let things go. Moments. This is what we should live for. Not the clean house, not the empty hamper, perfect car, perfect life. Life isn't so perfect if you are constantally worrying about if you made your bed that day, did you leave dishes in the sink, is your trash can about to run over? Who really cares? I learned that for all those times I could have spent making memories with my father and had other "important" things to do, I will never get those moments back. The housework and "things" would have waited. My father is not here anymore to do things with. I learned to appreciate what you have right in front of you and make the most of it.
Cole was born at 4:20 p.m. on Monday September 8, 2003. He was 7 lbs. 3 oz. 20 inches long. He had the BIGGEST cone head I have ever seen on a baby. He had a head full of BLACK hair, and the most perfect lips you ever did see. He was all ours. Bill and I were so young, in love and had created the most perfect baby. I can remember the smell of him the first time he was placed in my arms. I remember going into the NICU and watching him through the incubator. I remember reaching in and feeling him wrap his tiny little fingers around mine. I can remember looking into Bills eyes and knowing we did it! We created such a miracle, he was finally here! What an amazing moment in our relationship! The birth of our first born child. I was so proud of US that day!
Cole is now 80 lbs. He comes up to my chest. He's full of life and full of smiles. He can help me clean, helps me make messes, helps me be happy to be alive every day! He has his own little brain, and he uses it daily to be creative and do smart things and make smart choices. He's his own little person. I pray daily that we have and are doing the right thing and raising him to be the best he can be? How do you ever know if you are doing good enough? Time will tell I suppose, but as long as we continue to raise such a well mannered little man, I don't think we've done too bad.
Happy 7th Birthday Cole! You are an AMAZING young man and I am PROUD to be your mommy!
No comments:
Post a Comment