Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

It's hard to believe that I became a mom nine years ago! I remember it like it was yesterday...I guess I was too naive to even be nervous! I was off of work for a couple of weeks previous to Ryan's birth because of elevated blood pressure. Thursday, November 18, 1999, I slept it, and ate only a piece of toast for breakfast because Thursday was Greg's short day, and we were going to have lunch together after he took me to the dr. for what was then a twice-a-week checkup. Well, our little plan was quickly diverted when the midwife took my bp and insisted that they would be bringing me a little "chariot" (wheelchair) in which I would take a ride straight from that room, over the skywalk, and to a labor room, where I would be induced. Taking one look at Greg, she asked him if he would be needing a ride also! He must have been a pale shade of gray at that point! So much for lunch. I still wasn't really all that nervous, I mean hey, it's just having a baby, right? :) At 4:05 that Thursday afternoon, they began what would be a lengthy process. By 4 a.m. Friday, nothing was happening. 12 hours of laying there in a miserable bed, without food or water, not even ice chips! Further attempts at induction failed, so around noon they broke my water. Things started moving then, but not in the right direction! Dr. said I was having the contractions of someone who would be dilated 10, but I was at 1. :( Pretty miserable. Within a couple of hours Ryan's heart rate began to drop, and they prepared me for emergency c-section. Those moments were a complete blur, but when they wheeled me from surgery to the mother/baby suite, I caught a glimpse of a little red head by the nursery window, and faintly heard somebody say, "There he is! That's your boy!" Nathaniel Ryan was born at 4:05 p.m. on Friday, November 19th. He was 7lbs. 4 oz, and 20.25 in. I was back in dreamland for the next couple of hours, but when reality hit, I was sure thankful for the many blessings and mercies God had bestowed upon our little family!

A small party with friends at school...

$5 if you can tell what this is! Actually, I was trying to make a football out of cupcakes and marshmallows.

Ryan wanted a pic with each of us...

We had a little party and opened gifts with mamaw and papaw before they had to leave for an appointment...

Money talks! His words, "Mom, don't post this on the blog!" Hey - every kid should get underwear from his mom for his birthday!

I asked Ryan if he would be hurt if I didn't make him a cake this year. He said, "No, I'm too old for cakes. I just want Texas Roadhouse." Done deal!

Enjoying Texas Roadhouse...until Kaitlynn threw a peanut, missed her target (me), and hit the guy behind us in the head. Thankfully he wasn't upset!

Ryan desperately wanted a suit this year. Since the demise of the local Value City, I haven't done any suit shopping...so...it was off to Sears to break the bank for a suit. At least he can pass it off to Evan when he outgrows it!