Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Happy birthday to my not-so-little boy

Current work: Modern Heat
Listening to: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Reading: next on TBA

Today is the day Son has been waiting for. The day when he turns 12 and I agree to measure his height and admit that yes, he is taller than I am.

Strange to think that twelve years and one day ago, DH was driving me to hospital, ready to be induced. He nearly crashed the car when I informed him that, actually, I was in labour already, because I’d just worked out why I’d woken up with a stomach ache in the middle of the night - and I was having contractions about ten minutes apart...

Note I don’t say twelve years ago today. Oh, no. Son was quite happy where he was and refused to come out. So, 42 hours and 11 epidural top-ups after my labour started (yes, REALLY - from stupid o'clock Monday morning to Tuesday evening), I had a caesarean section.

I remember that first night, when DH had finally gone home. I couldn’t get out of bed at that point, so the very kind midwife tucked my baby beside me for a cuddle. I remember how quiet it was, and how amazed I felt that we’d produced this little life. And how I kept looking at him to check he was really there and I wasn’t dreaming the whole thing. (I also remember DH putting the TENS machine on my back. Never, EVER, let a man with a remote-control habit anywhere near the controls for a TENS machine. 'What does this do? Oops, sorry!' Arrgh.)

Son has brought a lot of joy into my life. He’s given me grey hairs and a bit of worry, too, but I guess that’s what kids are meant to do. And he’s growing into a lovely young man – very kind, very bright, and a bit eccentric (he gets that one from both parents). Not to mention a cheeky grin. (Ten years later... it hasn't changed much from this.)

I’m incredibly proud to be his mum.

Happy birthday to my eldest.

18 comments:

Amy Andrews said...

Wow! Where do those years go?
What a cutie. You did well :-)

Lorix said...

Happy birthday to him! Children, can you remember life before them? I know I can't!
Hope you all have a great day!
Lori x

Kate Hardy said...

Amy - I don't know, but they zapped by! Thanks - the 12-y-o is just as much of a cutie (I'm trying to get used to the deep voice...)

Kate Hardy said...

Hi Lori! Lovely to see you.

No, I can't remember life before kids, either :o) I can't imagine not sharing the house with them, so I'm going to get empty nest syndrome really badly and will need half a dozen puppies...

Thanks, we have a great day planned after school - going to Yellow's (Delia's family restaurant, as opposed to the posh one) as the food is great there. (His choice - and we have a fab bday cake from M&S involving much chocolate...)

Unknown said...

Aw, happy birthday to son! Hope you all have a great day.

Diane said...

Happy Birthday, Chris.

Michelle Styles said...

Happy Birthday to your little boy!!!
Time flies!!! And this next year, he will GROW.

ANd yes, puppies are a good idea. Truly.

Nell Dixon said...

happy Birthday to your son, he shares his birthday with my youngest daughter, Alannah, she's 11 today.

Liz Fielding said...

Bless!

linda margaret said...

Kate;

Happy birthday to your son. I'm sure you are a proud Mum. I have a son who is soon to be thirteen later this month. One of his proudest achievements of the past year is the fact he is now taller than his mother. I know how you feel. Have a wonderful day with your birthday boy.

Linda

Kate Hardy said...

Shirley - thank you, we did. He had a bit of a blip in the middle (bully at lunchtime, sigh), but he enjoyed his day. Especially as we went to Yellows (Delia Smith's family-oriented restaurant) for dinner and came home to birthday cake...

Kate Hardy said...

Diane - thanks on his behalf :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Michelle - the time just flies. And he's growing hugely. His hands are bigger than mine and his feet are the same size as mine...

Kate Hardy said...

Nell - happy birthday for yesterday to your youngest. Hope you all had as nice a day as we did.

Kate Hardy said...

Liz - these were the Presma (pre-school music association) newsletters. And he just decided to sit in the empty box. I have a similar one of his sister sitting in Byron's little "puppy" bed...

Kate Hardy said...

Linda - happy teen birthday to your son for later this month :o)

Mmm, I foresee much crowing when he's finally taller than I am. (DH measured him: same height. I think he's a bit disappointed!)

Lacey Devlin said...

He's so cute!

Talk about a trooper! 48 hours! Wow! Doesn't that give perspective?

Kate Hardy said...

He certainly is cute, Lacey :o)

But the 42 hours bit... first 18 or so were bearable, but after that I needed that epidural!