Today is my "little" man's birthday and I can still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. It all began on March 26, 2006. I was still working at the INEEL at that time and I was talking to Joe's cousin, Misti, in her office when I decided it was time to get back to work and eat lunch : ). I stood up and looked at Misti and told her that I thought I had just peed my pants. She looked at me like, Okay, so go to the bathroom and get out of my office, but she is much too polite to ever say that out loud. So I started walking down the hall to get to the bathroom when I realized my water is breaking and I better run for it or I am not going to make it. She here comes this enormous buffalo running down the hall, 9 months pregnant and trying to push people out of her way to get to the bathroom. I must have looked totally crazy! I made it to the bathroom just in time, and as I sat there I thought to myself, how in the world am I going to make it to my friend and boss, Kally, office without leaking all over the place and embarrassing myself further? Well, there was no way around so I snuck my way there and started crying as soon as I got to her office. "Kally, my water just broke, I need you to take me to the hospital. But first, let me tell you all the things I am working on that need to be finished since I won't see you for 6 weeks". She called Joe and we made our way there about 30 minutes later. Joe and I were so naive, I remember thinking "Oh no, my mom won't make it here in time to see me give birth". Don't you just hate it when people are stupid? The nurse asked me if I was in any pain and when I said no I thought to myself this is going to be so easy, why does anyone complain or get drugs? I got my answer just 30 minutes later when I had to endure 9 hours of hard labor just to get dilated to a 3. And throughout those 9 hours I was so drugged and still in so much pain that I was literally screaming with each contraction. Never give a woman in pain less social awareness. Once I got to a 3 I was finally able to get my epidural, which I acted ridiculous for that as well. I remember the anesthesiologist telling me to settle down or he would not be able to insert the tube, and I thought I am seriously going to scratch this man's eyes out. After that it was only ANOTHER 9 hours and finally I had my baby, March 27, 2002, 9lbs 21 inches. They placed him in my arms and I remember thinking, YUCK, how should I hold him he is sticky and gross. But he was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. His face was really puffy from being stuck in the birth canal so long and he kept squawking rather than crying. It was a glorious sound. I was so tired and out of it but still aware enough to be embarrassed when my father in law, Dave, walked in while I was still being stitched up and kept looking over to me to tell me how beautiful my son was. I guess not much phases a Balmforth man! Taylor, you are as beautiful to me today, as you were 7 years ago. I knew right there and then you were someone so special that I had better be the mom you needed. I'm still not sure if I am or not but I adore you! You are everything to me and your dad and we love you more than any word could ever express or define. Thank you for coming into our lives and making us whole. Your love has entered into every empty space in our hearts and made us need you in our lives for eternity. Every day with you is definitely an adventure. I look forward to watching you grow, learn and excel. Happy Birthday Tator Bugs!
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