Happy Birthday Robbie!

Three years ago today, our sweet Robbie was born.

He was due on the 21st and, since this was my first baby, I expected him to be here no later than the 21st. Bob and I walked 5 miles on the due date expecting my water to break any second. It didn't.

Early in the morning (around 2 a.m.) five days later, I rolled out of the bed in intense pain. Okay. This has to be it. Everyone says: "You'll know a contraction when you have one." They were right. This was it. I began watching the clock and they were coming every 10 minutes. A few hours later they were about 7 minutes apart so I called my doctor. She said to go ahead to the hospital (I think I may have told her they were 5 minutes apart. Did I mention I am a very impatient person!). I woke Bob up and told him the situation. He said, "Okay. Let me shower and pack." Now, remind you, I had been telling him to pack for 2 weeks. But that's another post.

On our way to the hospital, I was gripping the door handle. This was pain. And I did not like it. Bob asked if it would be okay if he pulled through Hardee's to get a biscuit. I won't repeat my response to him, but he didn't get a biscuit.

My labor was very intense. It lasted a lot longer than I expected. But, at 6:28 p.m. on May 26, 2005, Robert Emmet the 3rd was born. He was beautiful. Big eyes wide open from the start. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long.





During most of my pregnancy, Bob sang the "ABC song" to my tummy. When Robbie was born, he was screaming. Bob held him and began singing the song to him. Robbie immediately calmed down as he recognized his daddy. This could also be a major contributing factor to Robbie learning his ABCs so early.

We had struggles at first as any new family does. He wasn't a quick learner when it came to nursing or sleeping. But I don't even really remember that part. He was perfect. I remember talking about him and how much I loved him. That word seemed to take on a whole new meaning. When I said it, I could feel the love deep down in my soul. I just loved him.






I know people have wondered how we would celebrate Robbie's birthday. They ask whether it will be a difficult or depressing day. It's hard to explain. But in all honesty, we feel the same today as any other day. There is barely a minute that goes by any day without thinking of Robbie. He is constantly at the forefront of our minds. We miss our Robbie, terribly, every day. But today, along with thinking of and remembering Robbie, we are also celebrating him.

No, he isn't here to blow out the 3 candles on his cake. But we celebrate the three years that Robbie has been a part of our lives. We thank God for giving us Robbie and entrusting him to us, even for a short time. And we look forward with eager anticipation to our promised reunion!





Throughout the week, I am planning to post how we have celebrated Robbie's past birthdays. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers.