Four years ago today I awoke to the sound of drizzling rain. August had been sweltering and almost unbearable as I was in my final few weeks of pregnancy. The rain was a welcome reprieve.
I got out of bed with eager anticipation. Today was the day I would meet the baby inhabiting my belly. My first labour and delivery with Graham had ended up being pretty frightening; he was almost ten pounds and had gotten stuck. I spent three hours pushing. They thought I would need an emergency cesarean and gave me a full spinal to get ready. They tried the suction. It failed. They tried the forceps but it was not happening. Then! The forceps finally worked in the last few moments possible.
To prevent that situation from repeating itself we were going to be induced ten days early.
We headed to the hospital once we got the call that they were ready for us. I was hooked up to an IV and the doctor told me that by the end of the day we would be holding our baby. We walked the halls, talked about who we thought we would meet. For the very first time in my entire pregnancy I was utterly and completely certain that we were having a boy.
A few hours later it was time to push. I gave it my all and the doctor told me the baby would be out on the second push. I remember thinking, “Darned if I am going to prove her wrong”. I pushed again with all of my being and for the first time actually felt a baby exiting my womb. I thought all of my innards had come out as well. I heard the doctor shout, “It’s a boy!” and then a hearty cry. They wrapped him up in a white terry cloth towel and placed him into my arms.
Nathan.
He looked absolutely nothing like his brother and everything like his Daddy. We was long and lean with the sweetest little nose. While a tiny part of me had thought a girl would be nice this time around, holding this little man brought me pure joy. He and his brother are only twenty months apart. I had visions of two little boys wearing matching outfits, playing together, wrestling.
It has all come true.
Nathan is one of the neatest kids you will ever meet. If you want to make his day, ask him if he can give you a hug. His face lights up and he will run to you and wrap his arms around your neck. He is a lover, a cuddler, a true sweetheart. Friends and strangers alike are enamored with this lively, adorable boy.
How better to honour him than to share some of my most favourite photos of him from the last four years? I could post hundreds, but have kept it to the ones that I go back to again and again.
Happy Birthday, sweet Nathan.
You brighten my every day.
Happy Birthday, Nathan! I feel like I’ve watched him grow up on your blog! Amazing how much older he looks now than even just 1 year ago. He sounds like a sweet kid, too.
Hannah’s last blog post..Weight Watchers recipes
[Reply]
OMG, the pic of him with the football is the spitting image of my nephew! For a minute, I was all, why does she have a picture of Jack???
Happy birthday, Nathan!
Camels & Chocolate’s last blog post..Signs I Might Have Something to Worry About
[Reply]
Happy birthday, Nathan! God bless you (and your whole family) today and through the coming year.
bethany actually’s last blog post..Fabulous 40
[Reply]
Happy birthday, Nathan! (What a beautiful kid.)
Assertagirl’s last blog post..A chance.
[Reply]
Happy Fourth Birthday Nathan! And congrats Angella for raising one sweet kid!
Kate’s last blog post..It’s coming…
[Reply]
he’s so handsome.
happy birthday!
[Reply]
Happy Birthday Nathan!!
Maria’s last blog post..Even the most perfect couple isn’t perfect.
[Reply]
Happy Birthday Nathan!!
Thanks for sharing those photos with us.
Heather’s last blog post..I’ve had it with Obama
[Reply]
I miss that little guy. Such a sweetheart and so gorgeous. The girls are going to be lined up for that one.
Happy birthday Nathan!
[Reply]
Happy Birthday to Nathan AND you!
( I always feel like the mama should get a hearty congratulations too
)
I hope number 4 is the very best year yet! Eat some cake for me, please!!
-Andrea
Andrea’s last blog post..8 Month Eliza Videos
[Reply]
I feel like I know your family so well, just from the time spent on your site. It’s amazing how much kids change over time, it seems to go so quickly.
Happy Birthday Nathan!
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Work Trip: Twitter Style
[Reply]
Happy Birthday to Nathan!
He is ADORABLE.
Marcie’s last blog post..The First of Eleventy Billion
[Reply]
He really does look so much like his Daddy. Such great pictures. Happy Birthday to him!
[Reply]
Happy Birthday, Nathan!
I love the last pic, with the big cheesy grin!
hills’s last blog post..My Drifting Nature Has Got To Stop
[Reply]
Happy Birthday, Nathan! He is going to be such a heart-breaker, Ange! My goodness; that grin, those eyes. So handsome.
It’s cool to see how your photography skills have evolved too…nicely done, my friend.
Amanda’s last blog post..Swistle Says?
[Reply]
That kid is so freaking cute
Happy Birthday Nathan!
[Reply]
Happy 4th birthday Nathan!
What a totally cute guy with a great big smile!
Love the football picture BTW.
[Reply]
Happy Birthday, Nathan!
I hope the joy and fun of this day set the tone for the rest of your year! Continue to gift us with your beaming smile.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Home Again
[Reply]
He’s beautiful, just breathtaking. Happy birthday, Nathan!
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..Fourteen
[Reply]
Aw, tears. Just beautiful.
And Happy Birthday Nathan!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Aw. You Don’t Like Me! You Really Don’t Like Me!
[Reply]
Happy birthday Nathan!
I have a feeling you’ll get a lot of the look in picture #6 when he’s a teenager.
Marianne’s last blog post..Not funny, life.
[Reply]
Happy Birthday sweetheart
Victoria’s last blog post..Um, Ew! (But Cool)
[Reply]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN!! I can tell you are a sweet boy and you make your mom very happy.
LVGurl’s last blog post..Magic Six Ball
[Reply]
Happy Birthday Nathan!
[Reply]
Angella!!! He is so handsome, he just looks like lightness and love.
THREE HOURS! My uterus just contracted for you. Yowza.
Thank you for sharing those gorgeous pictures.
He is beautiful.
Happy 4th Birthday Nathan!!
rachel’s last blog post..Mouthwatering Monday: Campfire Burgers and Veggies
[Reply]
He does look the happiest little man! Happy Birthday to your sweet boy!
Elaine’s last blog post..Blinded by the Socks
[Reply]
He is too cute for words!!!
Rachel’s last blog post..Holy Crap
[Reply]
Happy Birthday Nathan!
joyce’s last blog post..5 Monday randoms
[Reply]
He is such a sweet boy! Happy birthday to your little man!
Kami’s last blog post..One last week at the lake
[Reply]
He sounds like an amazing kid!! And he’s been cute from day one and keeps getting cuter as the years go by!!
Happy 4th Birthday Nathan!!
Randi’s last blog post..Upgrade Me
[Reply]
What a sweet boy! I love looking at past pictures of my kids…makes me yearn to have just one more…did I just say that?
Happy Birthday big guy!
We’re doing four in October…our little girl!
Amy’s last blog post..I’m back…did you miss me?
[Reply]
He’s just the sweetest!
[Reply]
Happy Birthday!
Also, please come document my life? Yes? Yes.
slynnro’s last blog post..In Which My Dentist Is Not Quite Sure What to Make of Me
[Reply]
Happy Birthday Nathan!!! What a handsome little guy – Definately a future heartbreaker! Hope he has had a wonderful day!
[Reply]
Happy belated birthday to a little dude who seems to always be smiling.
[Reply]
Of all the kids in Summerland I think I miss Nathan the most. Shhh….don’t tell.
[Reply]
Happy Birthday N!
little miss mel’s last blog post..Must Haves: Baby Carriers
[Reply]
You sure make cute kids. My GOODNESS. Happy Birthday Nathan!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Ode to my Family: My Sister
[Reply]
Happy Birthday, Dude.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Just what the doctor ordered
[Reply]
Pingback: Dutch Blitz » Little Miss Me
I had to take a look and he’s a happy camper, esp. on his B-day. I like to wish him happy b-day Nathan and what difference 4 years make, huh? On Friday, my newlywed wife’s son turned 2 and we took him to a new McDonald’s not far from my Mom’s house, my nephew who’s 8 was invited and he gotten to play in the Mcplayland with him. It’s only been 10 some days I got married to her. I was married near the spot my now-divorced parents were 30 years ago in the San Jacinto River north fork in the mountains west of Palm Springs. I can tell you we had lots of fun and saw my GF in her sparkling bluish bridal gown. Her name is Natalie and to come and think of it, she said on wanting more kids this time from me. If it’s a boy, Nathan or Mike jr. are good names, or it’s a girl Michaela or Natalita. I’m currently seeking work while she’s a busy retail employee (I quit my job from the HD last Mar.) and we moved in together in a new apartment. Ok talk to u later. +
[Reply]
He is just adorable! So cool to see how much he’s grown in the last 4 years!
Kristabella’s last blog post..My Brain Is Already Unemployed
[Reply]
Pingback: Five | Dutch Blitz