Ode to an Eight Year Old

My sweet Ben, I can't believe you are eight years old already. I can remember exactly the day you were born. Actually, my memory of you goes back even further - back to a day before Daddy and I even thought of having a third child. We had always intended on having two children. First we had Vicky and then Abby. The family should have been complete, but for some reason it just felt like someone was missing - you!

I remember telling people that we were thinking about a third child and a lot of them assumed it was because we wanted a son. But to be honest, that was never in our minds (or hearts). We just wanted to fill that empty place in our family and at the time we had no idea if that emptiness would be filled with a boy or girl. We really didn't care though because we knew that what ever you were you would be just perfect for us.

You were by far my most difficult pregnancy. I went through a lot just to get pregnant with you. Then once you were inside of me you created havoc. I had almost constant heartburn no matter what I ate. I had gestational diabetes, but unlike when I was pregant with Abby, it couldn't be controlled with diet. So not only did I have to prick my finger four times a day to check my blood sugar, but I also had to give myself insulin every night. Believe me, it wasn't fun but I have no regrets because you were worth it.

You made up for the difficult pregnancy by being born five hours after my first (induced) labor pain. Your sister Vicky took three days to make an appearance and even then had a difficult birth. So I was prepared for that with you and Abby. But I was lucky and neither of you repeated your older sister's stubborness in coming into the world. Thank you for that Sweetie.

I still think of you as my little baby. So please forgive me when I slip up and call you "Potato Head" or "Sweet Potato Pie Boy" in public. I know you hate it and I try, I really do, to not say it in public, but sometimes it comes out of my mouth before my brain has a chance to stop it. I also know that you don't like me kissing and hugging you in front of your friends so please take my word that I am making every effort (well almost every effort) to control my impulses to smother you with hugs and kisses.

So Happy Birthday Ben and many, many more years filled with love, health and happiness. I hope that one day you have a family of your own so that you can know the joy you give to Daddy and me.