dear kieran,

At  9 o'clock, on March 26, 2006, I was eating preggo pizza. Two slices of it to be exact. Little did I know just around 2:30 in the morning, my water would break. "Honey, I think my water just broke!", I exclaimed. "What? Are you serious?", Erik says. "Well, I don't know, unless I peed the bed-do you think I just peed the bed?" "Go check", he says. "Did you pee yourself?" "How should I know? I've never done this before!" "Let's call the doctor". So we call the doctor and he says I'll meet you there. The bags are packed, we're ready to go. The contractions begin. We get on the freeway and it's smooth sailing. No one's on the road because it's 3am. Erik asks if I want him to drop me off at the door. Ummm...what? Yes, we parked together and I walked up to the counter, quickly checked in and began the 12 hour journey.

3 1/2 hours of pushing. I was exhausted, and determined.
With the assistance of forceps (flashback to my birthing class thinking, yuck, these things look like salad tongs, I hope I never have to use those!), my amazing doctor helped me along. I had done it. And then, we had the most frightening moment of our lives. My beautiful baby boy was not breathing. Lifeless and blue, he had an apgar of 3. We (my mom, my sister, Erik, and me) were all crying. The room was quiet, yet the team of pediatric doctors and nurses quickly whisked him to the table next to us. They were amazing, and so was the sound of Kieran's cry. Thank God. An apgar of 9. Life. Our beautiful Kieran Andrew, perfect in every way. 7lbs 2 oz 20 inches.
Born on his due date, March 27, 2006 at 2:37 pm.

Just before Kieran was born, I wrote this letter to him at my baby shower:
Dear Kieran,
I am awaiting your arrival with feelings of excitement and joy (and a little bit of nerves too, but just about the birth part). You are moving all around inside me as we speak, growing and getting ready for this big crazy world with just 4 weeks to go! You haven't kicked me really, you've just been a mover and a shaker which is exactly what I think you'll be in life. I know you will move mountains and shake up our lives in such a beautiful way (I'm sure you'll give us a run for our money, but don't be too hard on us okay?). You were loved before you took your first breath and I will love and care for you with all my might. Your Daddy and I cannot wait to meet you, little man! Love and Kisses, Mommy

Today, my love, you are four. 4. Where did the time go? You ARE a mover and a shaker and you test us in many ways, but you are beautiful and we love you with all of our heart and might. You are amazing. We are proud to call you our son.

Happy Birthday!