Growing Up

It is hard to imagine, but Joey just turned six years old a couple of days ago. I remember the day he was born so clearly...at least parts of it. There was a time when I was so exhausted after the long hours of contractions, but for the most part I remember.
I remember waking up about 6am, when Nick's alarm went off so he could get ready for work. I knew that I was experiencing some uncomfortable pains, but not having had a child before, I wasn't sure if it was actual labor. Nick wondered if he should call in to work, but I assured him he could go; not that he had a choice, he had the work truck at home and needed to get it back. I had a dr. appt that morning anyway.
When I got to the office for my appt., the nurse came in, took one look at me, and said, "You're in labor." So they hooked me up to the monitor and found that my contractions were only three minutes apart. So they called ahead to the hospital to book me a room. Of course, although I had my bag packed, I didn't have them in the car. So I had to go all the way home (past the hospital) and load the car and wait for my husband to make the hour drive back home.
There are so many other details that I remember about that day. I remember that at one point, my husband thought that I was nearly passing out from pain, when in fact I was trying to doze in the two minutes between contractions. I remember how I asked my mom to time my contractions because I couldn't concentrate on the mental activity. When she told me there was about two minutes between contractions, I told her she had to be lying, because it sure felt one on top of the other to me. (She obviously didn't understand what I was going through.)
I remember how I felt when I held Joey for the first time, how I was so proud to show him off, how the nurse suggested I have him taken to the nursery so I could sleep but I wouldn't hear of it.
And now I look over at him, he hardly fits on my ever decreasing lap(as the baby increases)and he is reading! Where did the time go? How did this happen? Was I here, watching? It doesn't seem like it.
Joey had his check up this afternoon. He was 43 1/4 inches tall and 41 3/4 pounds. All looks well, and he promised the Dr. that he wore his helmet every time he rode his bike or scooter. He showed the doctor the bruise and scrape he got when he fell off the scooter. The Dr. said his legs look like a boys' leg should look if he was active enough. (It's nice to hear that rather than a suspicion of abuse for all the bruises.)
It always amazes me how much the kids grow right before my eyes. I don't seem to notice as its happening, until one day it hits me all at once. Could somebody just hit pause or slow motion or something? I feel I need some more time.