I remember it so clearly..

You were the first one the doctor pulled out and the moment I looked at you I knew you were my son. You looked so much like me even from that first moment it was hard to believe. It was like a mini-me.

Although you cried, you were not nearly as cranky as your brother. I think he was tired of you taking up so much space for the last 9 months. You were the larger of you two so by both timing and size you are the big brother to Maximus. You must always be there to look out for him.

Because you were straining to breath just a little bit, they quickly took you away to the NICU department to monitor you and make sure you were developing normally. It was a short visit, only a few days, but it was hard to not have you in the room with us and Max.

It was a hectic first day at the hospital with both Grandmothers there, aunts and uncles and friends of the family all there to see you boys that first day. Most also came down to the NICU to see you too, even though it added extra time to their visit.

Later that evening I came down to visit you in the NICU, not with more visitors, but by myself. I sat there and rocked you in the rocker, and for the first time since you were born – I cried. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy for having two sons after so many years of wanting children. It was such an overwhelming feeling of joy that I just couldn’t hold it in.

And to this day, I still get chocked up when I look into your eyes sometimes. Even after a year, it’s hard to believe we’re so blessed to have you both in our lives.

Although it was a long wait, the wait was well worth it.

Happy birthday son.

Love, Dad