Birthday Boy

Saturday was Bryson's Birthday. I can't believe my little B-man is 6! I remember six years ago... I had slept on the couch downstairs, because my bed just wasn't comfortable anymore. I woke up around 6 having contractions. I could hear Jared upstairs getting ready, so I went up to tell him that we were going to have a baby today. I figured it would be later on, so I told him to go ahead and go to work and I'd call him later when things were getting closer. Well, he had just barely gotten to work when his phone rang. It was me, saying: "Well, you better come back home. This baby wants to come soon!" I hurried and got my girls ready so Jodie could come and get them and got my things together. Jodie and Jared arrived at about the same time. I kissed the girls goodbye and hopped in the car with Jared. Off we went! At the hospital they hooked me up to the monitors and we watched TV... we hadn't been there very long when my water broke. "Well, I guess you're staying," the nurse told me. We got moved to the delivery room, I got a wonderful epidural, and Dr. Melendez came to check me. "It's going to be a little while," he said. "I'm going to head back across to my office... I've got some patients to see, but I'll be back in a little while." Meanwhile, my family had come to visit. They hung out for a little bit, then they headed down to the "Pink Shop" for some ice cream. They had only been down there for a few minutes, when Dr. Melendez walked by and motioned to them to come back up. The nurse had checked me again and realized that I was fully dialated and Bryson was on his way out! I guess he just couldn't wait to join our family. After a bit of a rough delivery, Bryson was born. He weighed 7 lbs 15 oz! They had to take him down to the nursery shortly afterward, so I had to wait a little while to hold him, but once they finally brought him in to me, I just couldn't get enough of him! He was such a sweet baby. He did have to spend a few days under lights, because he had quite the case of jaundice. It was so hard for me to only be able to hold him for feedings and then have to put him right back in the light-bed... and going to the hospital every day to have his little heel pricked was like torture... but soon he was recovering and we could hold him all the time like we wanted to. We are so glad that he's part of our family. I can't even imagine life without him! He is a sweet boy who can make friends with just about anyone. He loves school and is so excited when he sounds out a hard word. He loves superheroes, Star Wars, climbing trees, playing with his friends, wrestling with Dad, and just about anything else you can imagine a little boy enjoying. He even likes to dance, but doesn't like it when we watch him. We have to be pretty sneaky to see his moves! He always says the cutest things, and we just love him to pieces! Happy Birthday B! Now... get ready for a picture overload!

March 28, 2003 - It's rough coming out of that warm place into the cold, cruel world! Poor kid... he was a little bit bruised and swollen for a couple of days.

My sweet Grandma... I'm so glad she got to know Bryson atleast a little bit.

My girls had to wear masks for a few days. They had colds. But they LOVED having a teeny little new brother.

Bryson on the first "light bed" we had. It didn't do the trick, so they had to bring us a suitcase-looking thing with lights on the top and bottom - he had to lay in it for a few days. Not too fun!

Here are a few cute pictures from his first year. He has been a joy in our family since day one! He has also been ALL BOY all along! He started climbing when he was so little. He would climb up onto a cedar chest that is below our living room window, and climb right up into the window. He would just stand on the window sill (which is only a few inches wide) and look out the window. It gave me a heart attack every time! I don't think I ever got a picture... I was running over to grab him instead. I was so afraid he'd fall and get hurt really badly. The window is probably 4 feet off the ground! We called him our little Spiderman after that! He still climbs... fences, trees, just about anything. And STILL ALL BOY!!!

And Now....

I can't believe how "grown-up" he's getting. He makes me smile everyday!

Watch for the next post... it'll be actual BIRTHDAY pictures from his fun day and party.