A week after he was born he had his first invasive test. Not fun. I paced in the background as the techs tried to get him to pee. They looked at me like I was telling him to hold it and be a stinker. And then he let loose. He tagged both techs and an extra person (whatever he was there for), the equipment, and the ceiling. Despite my worry and all the other stuff a mom feels when her one week old is strapped down for a damn test, I laughed until I cried. That is my John. And it's his birthday. He's so neato.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Birthday goodness!
The first time I caught a glimpse of my youngest was at the 20 week ultrasound appointment when I was pregnant with him. "...a boy..." Who cared what the tech said other than that. The bump was real in that moment, but within minutes of her tinkering with measurements, I caught something in her face she quickly hid, but too late. Bad news. I know bad news. A person can be down the block and have bad news and I know it. His kidneys, both of them, were enlarged. "But he needs at least one good kidney," I said to her like she could change things and take back the worried look or the scary news. We watched and waited because that's all you can do when it comes to kidney issues (I learned that over the next 20 weeks and a year).
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*sniff* This has me teary-eyed, Robyn. John is super-neato! And he doesn't need anyone to tell him to be a stinker...it comes naturally, right?!? ;) Interestingly enough, my child who shares a birthday with John - only 9 years earlier - was also one that was watched closely. I don't think I've ever told you that. She was SGA - small for gestational age. You know how they measure you and the number matches the week you are in your pregnancy? Well, Berk's was always smaller and the further along I got, the further the gap. I had twice weekly ultrasounds, stress tests, and had to be on bed rest from 26 weeks on. Good times when you have a 2 year old. Berk was born at 36 weeks - a miracle she made it that long, according to the doctors. She came home weighing 4 lbs, 3 oz. She was always, always way below the curve for growth...until she turned 12. They think her growth issues in-utero were due to placenta problems but they never really figured it out for sure. I think it's things like this that give our second children their *sparkling* personalities. What do you think?!? Whatever the reason, John and Berk definitely add spice to life! *haha*
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you went through that with Berk. To be on bed rest, that had to be so tough. You aren't a stationary kind of girl! I remember all those dang ultra sounds. I wasn't a reader yet and I had those silly handheld games like Uno with me in the waiting rooms. John is the one who ultimately pushed me to be a reader. I bet it was those waiting rooms. I can't believe how little she was and how early! Will was 11 days late. He didn't want to leave. John was on the due date, 8lbs 11 oz and 8lbs 9 oz. I was a month early and still 7lbs.
DeleteYes our second children sparkle, or maybe just spark. They are firecrackers.
I really don't know what to say, Robyn. This is a very powerful post, a piece of your soul. I wish you and your beautiful boys all the happiness in the world!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Athina! His birthday made those memories so vivid and present. I wish you all the happiness in the world too!!
DeleteI hope the writing/editing is flying!
Happy birthday, John, and happy MOM day to you, Robyn :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much we start loving those bumps, right? Even before our children are born, they are special to us, and we just want everything to be good for them, both in uterus, and once they're born.
I had some scares during my two middle pregnancies (the boys... yup, the boys gave me some big scares!) but everything turned out well because I'm stubborn! No 3 (boy no 2) wouldn't even be here if I had listened to the doctor at the beginning of my pregnancy. Now, he's a thriving and really cool 12-year-old.
I'm glad John was able to show those techs what it looks like when they ask a baby boy to pee like that *grins* I'm sure they were a little surprised even if they shouldn't have been.
Have a fantastic weekend, Robyn! I hope you guys are still celebrating.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Ha! Those doctors sometimes miss the mark as if they've never believed in anything, but it's impossible not to believe in that bump. It takes us over. I smile all the way around that your 12 yr old is thriving. Is he also possibly driving you crazy with puberty because that is where I am with my 12 yr old. Man the mood swings and crankiness.
DeleteJohn totally showed those techs. They were joking about it later, "They're going to call him Fire hose Conroy when he grows up." It was so funny.
You have a fantastic week too! Oh, we're not celebrating so much anymore except that I did break into the ice cream last night.
No, he's not too moody yet, Robyn. He's also very small in size, just like his older brother was until this year when he turned 17!
DeleteI've been through mood swings and crankiness twice already, though, so I truly feel for you!
Happy Thanksgiving *hugs*
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews