Three years ago, I paced my hospital room, waiting for the staff to tell me I could go home. I had my sweet Jackson Rudene (aka: Rudy) at 7:00 that morning and just KNEW I'd be more comfortable at home. I mean, C'MON! I've done this twice before. I was a pro by now and knew all about taking care of a newborn baby and my body postpartum.

A friend of mine visited saying, "Wow, you look great! Doesn't even look like you were pregnant." She said it because my precious firecracker was a 9lb. baby. Of course my tummy flattened after giving birth to a watermelon!

The thing is, my mind wouldn't settle down. All I could think about was getting home to my other two children, hosting my In-Laws and Parents who traveled over 600 miles to be there, and proving to my husband I was capable of mothering three children under the age of 5. Although my Dr. said it was okay to go home after 24 hours of giving birth, it was too soon. I discovered days later I was suffering from a spinal fluid leak. I looked down at my precious newborn and thought What did I get myself into?

He ate around the clock.
He cried around the clock.
He fussed around the clock.
He pooped around the clock.
He drove this Mommy over the edge.... you guessed it... around the clock.

I don't remember it being this way with my other two. In fact, I used to say all those parents who complain are a bunch of weenies. Parenting is easy! Boy did I have to eat my words. At one year of age he was a handful:


Well, today marks the day my sweet boy turns 3-years-old.

He woke with a demand to watch Super Why!.
He peed and pooped all by himself in his new potty *BRAVO!*


He asked for a Cinnamon Roll picnic on the floor this morning.
He sat patiently for the Barber for his haircut today.
He put on his own Pull-Up, Pants, Socks, and tried really hard with his shoes.
He threw 5 fits, complete with the Don't-Talk-To-Me crossing of the arms.
He found the presents I hid in the closet before I got a chance to wrap them.
He watched the Potty Dance video on my iPod Touch for the gazillionth time.
He blew out his number 3 candle on his cake.


He threw a Super Mega Fit before bed.
He told me he loved me.
As I walked away from his bed, he says, "Mom, come back. Tell me you love me one more time."

Now THAT's worth, labor pains, spinal fluid leaks, and all the hours I cried trying to console him as a newborn. THAT is to another exciting year with my guy!



Happy Birthday Rudy! We love you more than you will EVER know.