Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Happy Birthday, Jack!



You decided to come a week early. But once you made that decision, it took you 18 hours to come out and meet the world. And I’ve had trouble keeping up with you ever since.

I cried every day for the first three weeks after you were born. My body was adjusting to you being on the outside, as was my world. You had colic, and began crying at 2:00 in the afternoon and kept it up until after 10:00 pm every day for several weeks. The only way we could get you to stop for any period of time was to hold you and bounce you around while humming the Mexican Hat Dance.

I disappeared into a room every two hours to nurse you. NASA could launch shuttles by your internal clock. Even if you were sound asleep, you would wake up to eat exactly two hours after your last meal. And approximately 15 minutes after eating, you would barf half of that meal all over yourself and anyone standing within 3 feet of you.

You wouldn’t nap unless you were in my arms. That wasn’t such a bad thing. It forced me to lie down and rest with you. And you were the cuddliest little bundle that I had ever snuggled with.

Gradually, the colic left, the vomiting stopped, the sleeping improved, my emotions leveled out, and my happiness caught up with the love I felt for you the moment the nurse placed you in my arms on the day you were born.

You are smart, inquisitive, and analytical. Sometimes I am taken aback by the sheer knowledge within your brain. And I know that a lot of these things you just figure out on your own. You are a logical thinker and can sort things out.

You are very sensitive, guarding your feelings for fear of being hurt but pouring them out freely once you feel a person is worthy of that trust. All the kids like you, but you worry about being bullied or made fun of. You never break the rules, but are afraid of getting in trouble. Sometimes you laugh at your own sensitivity and fears, and you challenge yourself and try to come out of your shell. I could never do that when I was little, and I think you are very brave.

Your empathy for others goes much deeper than one would expect from a seven year old who has had such little life experience. I believe that comes from your sincere love of humanity and the endless well of kindness that exists in your heart.

You have a soaring imagination that allows you to create marvelous and sometimes dangerous boy adventures as well as quiet stories and detailed drawings that I am lucky enough to share in.

You are best friends with your dad. You love to giggle with him and talk to him and play sports with him. You still hug and give us both kisses in the hall at school, even though your friends may be watching. I think that won’t last, but maybe, because of who you are, it will.

To my first born, the love of my life and the sweetest boy that ever lived, I wish you a very happy seventh birthday.

13 comments:

Loth said...

Aw, happy birthday Jack! Your unrelated twin lives in Edinburgh - it's spooky how much like my Second Born you look and how alike your personalities are!

Anonymous said...

I Love the way God has created you Hev! Even the top selling authors could not have written something as stellar as you just did(even for their own kids):)
You Storks ROCK and i am so fortunate and happy to be a part of it...........
I love you all more than i could ever pysically show or explain... NA

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

Happy birthday to Jack from his friends in Peoria who hope to see him again sometime soon!

KEEP BELIEVING

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Jack..what an awesome time for a boy to have a birthday..the end of the school year AND a birthday. Fun!!

That was a very sweet tribute..you need to print and frame that for him :-)

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! You are such a cutie!

That made me all teary-eyed lady. Very heartfelt and loving. I hope someday you'll cut that post out and give it to him.

Kellan said...

Happy 7th Birthday to your sweet Jack - I hope he has so much fun!

Take care and I'll see you soon - Kellan

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I too am the only female in a house full of boys/men.

Love your blog!

Hallie :)

Kathy said...

That was the sweetest post! Happy Birthday Jack!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness he is one handsome boy!!!
Sweet words to your oldest boy -- You are a talneted writer!!

Happy Birthday Jack!!!!

Valarie said...

How sweet. He is adorable.

Damama T said...

What a wonderful tribute. Your first born sounds a lot like mine. Aren't we blessed! I hope you two also stay close as he grows.

Happy Birthday, Jack. And Happy Momday, Heather. After all, for every mother, this really is THE DAY even though somebody decided to slap that label on another day.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

What a great tribute--and a darn good-lookin' kid!