My "birth" day...

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Twelve years ago, today, I became a Mother.  Lorien was born very early in the morning on November 8th.  By this time of the day I had been a mother for what felt like a long time (almost a whole day).  I had spent the entire day before in labor.  Labor started around two o'clock in the morning and Lorien was born in the one o'clock hour of the morning--the next day.  I remember walking around the sidewalks of Everett, Massachusetts with Will and thinking "Some day I will have lots of children.  I will have done this whole labor-baby-birthing thing more times.  Some day, this day will be far away and I probably wont remember much about it."  That some day is now.  Twelve years is a long time ago.  However, I was wrong.  I remember a lot about that day.  I remember being sick and tired.  I remember being excited and nervous.  I remember falling in love.  I have a record of that very first birth in my journal and in Lorien's baby book.  I wont record it here, not now.  But I will tell you how awed and in love I was with that new born baby.  She was (and is) so precious and perfect.

I love you Lorien Cara.

Ten years ago today, I became a Mother to two children.  Wyatt was born very late at night on November 8th.  By this time of the day I had been in labor for several hours and was ready for the baby to come out.  I was in the hospital, riding the waves of labor pains.  My newly-turned-two-year-old daughter was with friends, totally unaware of the brother coming her way.  I remember the relief of birth with Wyatt.  He was born without an epidural (the one and only) and it was hard.  I remember the new feelings of awe and love I felt for this new person.  I remember how perfect and wonderful he was (and is).  I remember being amazed that other women throughout previous generations of time had done this very thing in very different circumstances.  I remember being so grateful for the blessings of health, safety and the miracle of this new baby.  I have Wyatt's birth story recorded in my journal and his baby book.  Someday I'll share that story too.

I love you Wyatt James.

Oh I am so thankful I get to be a Mother!  I am so thankful for my children--even if they drive me crazy most some of the time.  Happy birthday Lorien and Wyatt!


*Picture info: Wyatt making his tenth birthday wish.  He asked for 4 different kinds of cookies for his birthday cake: M&M, sugar, ginger bends and red velvet cake cookies.  This year, Lorien and Wyatt decided to celebrate their birthdays on separate days.  I guess they were sick of sharing the attention every November 8th.  Lorien's big day is tomorrow.  I'll add a picture of Lorien after her celebration.

Here she is.  Will took Lorien out for lunch for her celebration day.  They got sushi and then took some mango-sticky rice to the park for dessert.  How did my baby get so big?