Thomas turns 30 today. I’m honest, Thomas’ birthday is difficult on Tommy and me. I can remember everything in the days leading up to his birth. Same with my girls. I remember when I felt “ready” and then realized I was in labor. When I was pregnant with Thomas we were living in an amazing apartment owned by our friend’s father. On July 4, I *had* to get an area rug for our living room. Tommy was sweet enough to agree and we were off to a local home store. We agreed on a shade of purple rug, we had a neutral decor in the living room, so the rug went well. Of course I insisted we put the rug down that evening. Again, Tommy was great and we did. We settled down on the couch to watch a rented movie, Apollo 13. I fell asleep and woke up later from the contractions. The midwife told me to get some sleep, the contractions were too far apart. I did manage to get some sleep and woke up around 7 am with much stronger contractions much closer together. Weirdly coincidental; Apollo 13 was playing on television last night. Talk about dejavu!
Thomas was born on his due date July 5. Tommy was so, so proud. I didn’t know which end was up. After I met Thomas, Tommy proudly accompanied him to the newborn nursery while I was still in the L and D room. I had had an epidural (first and last), so I had to wait for it to wear off, get cleaned up a bit. I just knew the delivery was over and my sister and mother stayed with me.
I hated that I had the epidural. When I arrived to my room, I was told to NOT get up by myself. Of course I did and watched the room spin while trying to get to the bathroom. I didn’t fall but came really close. Thomas was brought to me. I remember just looking at him, studying him, unswaddling him to see all of him. It was surreal and great and scary all at the same time.
During my pregnancy I worked the overnight shift at that hospital. Everyone I worked with came up to see me at all hours lol. It was crazy but sweet. They offered me to be discharged after 24 hours. Since no one let me sleep I figured we would just go home. Little did I know how little sleep I was really in for. Haha. I was exclusively breastfeeding. So, as instructed I woke Thomas every 3 hours to eat. Yes I woke a sleeping baby. Again; first time mom. Tommy just sat back and let me be a control freak. He was home was from work for 2 weeks. Tommy was sweet and made me lunch one afternoon. I insisted I had to wake Thomas to eat. Tommy was like Menay, it won’t hurt him to eat first and wait 15 min to feed him. Oh….No. I insisted on feeding him first, then changing his diaper. Then, I could eat. By that time the baby lobster tails were so overcooked and shriveled and my husband was not happy with me. I ate it all anyway and said it was delicious. Both of us never forgot that lunch.
We never forget our firsts. And how we live and learn. Thomas taught me more than he’ll ever know.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 