Happy Birthday my Haddon-boy!

You are FOUR!

I still remember the day you were born....

Gramma and Grampa from Maine came to visit, hoping to be able to be here when you were born! They arrived on your due date, April 2, 2005. Little did we know, you wouldn't make an appearance until the 11th!

Each day, I paid close attention to every ache and pain, hoping that it would be the beginning of labor.

I went into labor on a Sunday. We went to church, like every other Sunday....and daddy and Grampa went golfing that afternoon. All was calm.

Around dinnertime, I began to feel a little different, like something was trying to start up...yet I still had no contractions!

At 8pm, my contractions were very mild and not consistent at all. Gramma and I went outside to walk around a bit, in hopes that whatever was happening would continue.

By 10pm, we decided we should head out to the hospital. If you were going to come as fast as Gideon, then we had better leave! Daddy wanted to stop for some coffee, but he realized that as he heard me cringe while taking the turn onto the road, that we should probably head straight for the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital around 10:30pm. The nurses checked me, and I was dilated to a 3. We told them that once I get to 5cm, it will happen very fast, so be prepared. They didn't believe us...since every birth is different, but the pediatric nurse nodded her head, got the bassinet ready and just stood in the corner of the room.

At 11pm, I was dilated to 4cm.

At 11:45pm, I was dilated to 5cm.

Then things got fun. When they checked me at 12:05, I was complete and the Dr wasn't there yet!

They had me breathing through contractions...which is very hard to do!

When Dr Green showed up, he was quickly ushered into our room and waved at the camera daddy was holding. He asked the nurses "So, what's going on here?"

"You just wait until she has a contraction!" they told him.

He couldn't suit up fast enough....since that very next contraction, I told everyone, "I am pushing NOW!"

Within a single push, your head was out.

My response was "TAKE HIM OUT NOW!"

You popped out on that very next push at 12:23am.

Then, my response was "Wow, I feel SO much better!"

Haddon Edwards was born, weighing 8lbs1oz and measuring 21 inches long. You didn't cry right away because you had a lot of meconium in the amniotic fluid. They wanted to suction all of that out before letting you breath it in. We were so blessed that your breathing wasn't affected by this!

Gramma and daddy were there to see your grand entrance!

I felt great immediately upon delivery and didn't have any recovery time with you at all. I could really focus those first few weeks solely on you and your brothers.

You started to nurse as soon as you were born, and you haven't stopped eating since!

We love you so much and are blessed to have you as one of our boys. You bring a unique perspective to every situation, and you are always ready to hug or kiss anyone who asks.

I can't wait to see what else you come out with in the coming years. One thing is for certain...it won't be dull!

I pray that you grow in the Lord Jesus Christ. That you depend upon Him for all of your needs. That your faith grows and blossoms along with your years. I pray that mommy and daddy live in such a way that it does not hinder your spiritual walk with Christ. I thank God every day for you and the blessing that you have been to our family!

I love you SO MUCH!

Love, Mommy