A year in time makes nine???

You know that old saying; "A stitch in time saves nine...."? It doesn't work with years! Our first born son will turn nine tomorrow, and yet there are days when it really feels like only one, small, quick and unreal year has gone by.

When John and I got married, we were going to wait for a year or two before having children. Then, the month after we were married, I had this overwhelming feeling that we were supposed to start our family right away. Honestly, it did not take as much convincing as I expected for my husband. The month after that, I took a test one day at work...and it was positive! I remember calling my mom and Jay, who were pretty excited for grandchild #1 and John calling his mom who was thrilled at the thought of grandchild number 17. My dad and Rhonda were pretty excited, too. And of course my grandparents were very excited too! I was pretty sure that everything was perfect and would go perfect for the entire pregnancy...
At about 14 weeks into my pregnancy, not long after seeing my awesome OB/GYN, Ken Larsen (who I had nannied for prior to being married) for the first time, everything changed. I stood up at work and felt a weird gush, like I had just wet myself. Only it wasn't that I had wet myself, but that I was bleeding, A LOT! Good thing my best friend, Sarah K. worked with me because John was out of town (that's a story for another year) and my family was two states away in CA. So, Sarah K. took control and got me to Ken's office where he checked everything out. He showed me my perfect little baby with his very strong beating heart on the ultrasound machine...I was so glad to hear him say "the baby's fine, he is perfectly fine." Ken then told me that my cervix was incompetent and would have to be sewn closed if my baby was to stay where he obviously needed to be for awhile. My mom came out a week later and stayed with me while I was stuck on bed rest, cooking and cleaning and being mommy to me.
Fast forward 6 months and I was at the hospital, in labor, wishing that this sweet little boy would enter this world sooner rather than later! I had woken up in labor on March 14 at about 6 a.m. and had gone to work at the State of Utah. Since I had been to the hospital two times before, only to have my contractions stop, I was determined not to return until it was absolutely necessary! I made it through work until about 4 p.m., when I just couldn't do it anymore. I went home, called John and ordered pizza. Sarah K. and her then boyfriend (now husband) came over. I remember David made me the best ever grilled cheese sandwich! Then, at about 1 a.m. I was going to go to bed. I had two contractions in the first 5 minutes of laying in bed and John said we were going to the hospital no matter how I felt. Off we went...I was checked in and about an hour later I asked for the epidural...I was done with pain! Ken checked on me early, around 7:30 a.m. and he broke my water and placed a monitor on Connor's head. I remember him telling us that Connor had dark, curly hair...how could he know that? There, in that bed, I stayed all day long. At 5 p.m., I was finally completely dilated...but the baby wasn't really staying down where he should have been...we were both getting tired...Ken said I could try pushing but if the baby didn't move down by at least 1 cm, I was going to have a cesarean section. I could not make my baby budge! I was tired, I had a fever, I was ready for the baby to come out...I did not care how it happened at that moment! I barely remember having the doctor show me my little boy...the nurse asked me shortly after if I wanted to hold him and feed him...I said yes...my recovery nurse said that it was probably not going to happen...then I remember being wheeled into my room to see Sarah K. holding my baby....I slept that night, for the last full night in many months to come! The next morning, I held my baby for the first time...he did have brown, curly hair...he was beautiful...8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21.5 inches...clearly his height comes from his daddy, even today....he was perfect in every way!!! And to think, I could have lost him before I knew him....I have always been, and will always be, thankful to Ken for all that he did to save my baby, and for delivering my perfect little boy!
Today Connor is still quite tall...he will pass up my mom, grandma and me, probably within just a couple of years. He is still pretty near perfect...still beautiful...and darn it, he is still my baby! Connor amazes us each day with his knowledge, his love and his sweet, sweet spirit. He has a great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lives up to the promises he made when he was baptized last year. Connor James Ireland...he is amazing...he is awesome...he is a great big brother...he is a great son...and he is loved!!!! From before he was born, he has been loved more than life itself...and forever he will be!
Happy birthday, Connor Boo! We love you!!!