Wednesday, March 31, 2010

March: The End, The Beginning

This day, 3 years ago, was my due date. March 31st, 2007 was the magical date that Rich and I were given in August 2006 when the doctor confirmed the news that the bun was officially in the oven. From that point on, only 2 dates stood out in highlighted marker, circled in red on my internal calendar. Our upcoming wedding (October 27th, 2006), and today, 3 years ago. I pretty much knew what to expect from our wedding day, although not ever being a bride before, one can imagine their wedding day. But March 31st, 2007 was a date that held a mystery that I could never have been prepared for.


While enjoying the holidays of 2006 as a newlywed and prego, preparing for my baby shower, and wrapping up work matters, I always had today's date looming in my mind. My crazy pregnant mind figured out that, when written out numerically, 3-31-07 could be seen as 
3+3+1+0 = 7, and that, to me, was just cool. I was told by my mother-friends that most firstborns arrive late. In looking at my baby shower memory book, most people guessed that Luke would be an April baby. Being born on April 1st would be an interesting birthday, too, but something told me this little boy of mine was a March baby. Despite this feeling, Luke's due date prevented me from buying (or registering) for anything birthstone or astrology-sign related...24 hours could determine if his birthdate would begin with a "3" or a "4"...would he be a Pisces or an Aries? We just had to wait and see.


Turns out, we didn't have to wait until this day to meet our fella. At 4:30am on Wednesday March 14th, 2007, my water broke. Thirteen hours later, Luke Richard was born at 5:11pm. His birthdate will always begin with a "3", and he is a Pisces. He surprised us in Summer 2006, and he surprised us in March 2007. In true March fashion, he roared in like a lion (requiring me to have an emergency c-section) and was as soft and lovable as any lamb. March 14th will always be the day that Rich and I became parents. It is the most important day in our lives. Though not born today, the anticipation and love poured into March 31st will always make today an important date to our family too.


                                              Back then:


To now:





xoxo, 
Momma Lioness Michele

Monday, March 22, 2010

3 years ago - Week One

Three years ago, Rich and I had just made it through our first week as parents.  We were shell-shocked by it all: the extreme pain I was in after an emergency c-section, the extreme sleeplessness, the extreme neediness of this little creature who roared his way into our lives on March 14th, 2007.  Our lucky charm Luke was just over six pounds when we brought him home on St. Patrick's Day 2007.  Rich and I could have never, never imagined how such a tiny creature would change our lives so quickly.


Here's Luke on his Birth Day:

                                  Hello, World!


Rich and I went from this:

                The clueless couple on Baby Shower day: 
                            February 17th, 2007
                      (Check out all of our loot!)


To this:

          Kissing our bundle of joy on his one-week birthday: 
                               March 21st, 2007


We SSLLOOWWLLYY adjusted to our new life, our new Luke-revolving world.  It felt like those first days and weeks of figuring out what this tiny but LOUD dude needed were never-ending.  
That time passed in what now feels like an instant.  


Last Sunday we celebrated Luke's THIRD birthday: 
                        My Baby is 3!

                                            
                Our Little Dinosaur - He ROARS like his Momma!



Lemme at that cake!
      
Just as we felt the week of March 14th-March 21st, 2007, every day with this gorgeous, lovable, demanding Little Man is a surprise.  As Luke celebrates his birthday, and Rich and I get used to having a three year old, we also adjust to the wants and needs of a pre-schooler.  Every day is something new.  We treasure this time, because we now know how fleeting it will be.  And how could we not want to hold onto THIS for as long as possible?
                                         MWAH!

   We Love You, Son!
   HAPPY BIRTHDAY - BUON COMPLEANNO!!
      Thank you for making us parents - you are the BEST!

    
xoxo,
Momma Lioness Michele