Our little boy turns 22! |
Our first child just turned 22 years old! It seems just like yesterday that I went to the hospital, not really knowing what to expect. Oh, I had heard plenty of horror stories of labor and delivery that some ladies felt obligated to tell me about. But I hoped it wouldn't be as bad as all that. Fortunately, it was a quick delivery and before I knew it, I was holding an 8 pound baby boy in my arms.
Dave and I laugh now over how scared he was driving us home. I sat in the back with baby Evan as we drove slowly home in the snow. (Dave was horrified at the recklessness of every other driver on the highway that day.) Neither one of us could believe that just the two of us had driven to the hospital and now it was the three of us. We were now three. He was with us forever.
I wasn't prepared for colic. I held a screaming, crying baby and cried too, not knowing exactly what was wrong or what we should be doing. But finally, the colic faded away and we had a sweet little baby boy that we fell in love with.
Evan was always an easy baby. We used to take long 16 hour drives to see my parents in Mississippi. I would look in the backseat and there would be Evan, sucking on his round, red pacifier while giving me a grin and kicking his bare feet.
He walked at 9 months. Not long after we bought him the cutest little businessman suit. I remember when my parents visited and I dressed him in that suit and watched him walk into the livingroom. He also carried his "briefcase" which was a black cassette holder with a handle. My dad laughed and said he looked like he should work at a bank.
It seemed that Evan didn't stay in babyhood very long. I became pregnant again right away with twins. They arrived prematurely when Evan was just 8 1/2 months old. There were many weeks of Evan coming along with us to the hospital to visit his siblings.
As I've written before, after our twins came home from the hospital, we had days of unbelievable stress. They cried nearly 24 hours a day. This was before we knew that they had cerebral palsy. I would sometimes escape for an hour or two on a Sunday afternoon and would take Evan with me. Those were sweet days of our sharing a burger and french fries or walking around the grocery store together. I sometimes don't know how I would have made it during that hard time without Evan. But sometimes I worry that he had to grow up too soon.
He used to say to us when he was about five, "Is it time to put the kids to bed yet?" as if he weren't a kid himself. But I think he liked a little time with just me and Dad at the end of a day.
I remember another time when he was about 7 or 8 yrs. old. We were leaving Mississippi again after being at my parents for a visit. I suddenly realized that it was so quiet in the van. I looked at the seat behind me to see Evan sitting quietly, looking out the window, with big tears rolling down his cheeks. He enjoyed those visits so much with my mom and dad.
Despite the long hours of being a mom, despite the tears (yours and theirs), and sitting up at night with one who is wheezing or vomiting, wiping runny noses, or walking the floor with a crying baby...it will all too quickly end. You'll look around and that little toddler will suddenly be 22 years old. He will drive to a place he heard about to buy cupcakes to surprise you and the rest of the family (even though they cost a lot). One of the qualities I love about him is his delight in buying things for other people. I think he is going to need a very well paying job in order to continue to fund his generous habits:)
Even though I miss his baby days, I love the young man he has become. I love his personality and to see him interacting with friends and family. I can't imagine our lives without him. I look forward to seeing all that God will do in his life.
Ev, I'm so glad you were born. You've made our lives so much richer. I have said this about all the kids, but I say it about you today...what would we have done without you?
Linking up to: www.impartinggrace.com www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com and www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
www.homestoriesatz.com
www.kellyskornerblog.com
What a wonderful young man he is, and how gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a wonderful young man he is, and how gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post (tear). I have a 22 year old son, Luke, who is kind and compassionate as well. I remember a little blonde boy who helped me take care of my mother with cancer for many months. I think the hard times we shared, shaped his sweet spirit....as with your Evan. We are blessed.
ReplyDeleteYes, we both are. Thank you so much for writing, Betty. I enjoyed reading your blog today.
DeleteKathy your family is such a blessing to read about! Happy Birthday to Evan, he is a wonderful, handsome young man!
ReplyDeleteDenise, you are a beautiful encourager. Thank you for reading and for the birthday wishes. I love him dearly. He is a wonderful son.
DeleteI'm not sure how I found your blog, but I was teary eyed after reading this post. My girls have birthdays coming up! They will be 8, 6, and 3. However, I know it won't be long until I am writing about one of them turning 22. Thanks for sharing. ; )
ReplyDeleteHi Dani!
ReplyDeleteYour girls are at the sweetest ages!
It seems to me that they (our children) stayed the same for a long time, then suddenly, they get very tall and then it goes by quicker. Enjoy every wonderful moment!
I enjoyed reading your blog just now. Blessings!
Thanks for writing:)
My oldest will be 22 in May! Isn't it amazing to watch them grow up and become wonderful adults? I miss my sweet little boy, but I am so grateful for my wonderful young man, just as I know you are! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, me too!
DeleteOh gosh,that has made me cry!My eldest is 20 and I can see exactly what you mean with your words.Im Jess from Splashes and Dashes of Yellow.I found your blog from Kellys Korner link up :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jess!
DeleteWe have a 21 year old son. I couldn't believe how fast the years have blown by.
ReplyDeleteIt goes by way too quickly. Thank you so much for writing!
DeleteWhat a beautiful story! I loved hearing that!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenna!
DeleteI love the title of this! So glad to have found your blog! God Bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind note. I'm glad you found it, too. Blessings!
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