4 years ago this evening....

4 years ago this night, I made a wonderful chicken dinner. *I remember it so well because my husband raved about it*. My husbands friend came over and I wasn't feeling well. I was counting down the minutes until he would leave so that I could go get into my Pj's and retire for the night.
I sat around waiting and as soon as he left, I got comfy.
By this point I was sleeping on the couch and had woke up several times through the night to use the restroom and just because I was uncomfortable.
I woke up early the next morning *June 28th* feeling defeated literally I mouthed the words..."No baby again today" and got up to start my day... 3 minutes later however, I felt and heard a snap, like that of a water balloon but, nothing more.
I was unsure, SO I wandered around my house trying to "make more happen"
Finally, after about a half an hour, I was able to confirm that my water HAD broken.. not only that but, I had Meconium.
I went into the kitchen and put some bagels for the family in and went to my husband I woke him up (he thought to go to work) and asked him "if he was ready to be a daddy again today".
By this point I was not contracting so, we took our time, ate our breakfasts.. I got Anna and Gabe into their "Im the big brother/sister" tee's we had made and we were off to the hospital.
Because I hadnt started contracting, and because I had the meconium Pitocin was started right away.. But, after a couple of hours I was still only a three (I had been a three for 3 weeks!!) and I was tired so, I asked for the epidural.
I received my epidural and I told Jason to go , get some lunch with his parents and the two older kids. I told him I wanted to rest cause it was going to be a long day.
Rest wasnt in the cards for me.
A half an hour after I sent Jason away. I called Jasons parents and asked them not to bring my kids back into the room. I was now ON oxygen and I didnt want them to be frightened. This promted J to come straight back to the room and by the time he got there.. I was in pain.. I writhed for some time pretty sure it was "time" but thinking it couldnt be possible because, it was less then an hour since I had been checked and had the epidural so, I endured.. for a time.
Finally, I told Jason that I really did think it was time and, he got the nurse who, confirmed "ITS TIME".
Less then 10 minutes later, He was born.
I didnt hear the sound, the beautiful wonderful sound of a first cry. I didnt get him placed on my stomach for me to see and hold.. and so, I felt a bit frightened "HE'S NOT CRYING, WHY ISNT HE CRYING"
They wanted to suction him before hand due to the meconium.
Soon tho, I heard that beautiful cry and was holding him in my arms... the baby, whom we called GRINCH for lack of a better name ... (When we found out he was a boy, Anna who loved the Grinch cartoon very matter of factly said we should name him Grinch and since, we didnt have a name, it stuck.)
Jason went into the waiting room and snatched Anna, we promised her that she would meet him first.. she was 3 and VERY excited.
She came in, held him, loved on him and then RAN to the waiting room "COME ON EVERY BODY, THE GRINCH IS HERE!!!"
HE obviously did end up with a name.. after the nurses explained we couldnt take him home without one :P a nice strong name. Kaleb...
Not even a name on our long list of them but somehow he didnt fit the other names we had tossed around. He was/is a Kaleb... with a K :)
Tomorrow we will celebrate his 4th birthday. He is so much fun. He is different then my other two, and different looking.. he is more his daddys side of the family. He is hilarious.. says the most random and funny things.
Like just today , during the storm asked me if the "tomato sirens" were goign to go off :)
I will leave you with pictures of him "growing up" to the ripe ole age of 4 LOL

Kaleb on his BIRTHday..


about 2 months old


First smiles


First glasses (7 months old)


First birthday


2nd birthday


3rd birthday


and here is a picture of him around Fathers day... Nearly 4!