Happy Birthday

Well, let me just get this right out of the way, as I know you all have been waiting with breath that is bated to know if Billy Blanks wore that same leotard that showed those oh-so-sexy nipples. Your guess is as good as mine!

Obviously, holding myself accountable is not working so much. I could use the excuse that I didn't have sneakers that fit (this is very true. Since being pregnant with Max my right foot has expanded on one side, making shoe shopping kind of impossible), that I don't have anything to wear to the gym or downstairs to play with Billy ( at last glance at the scale I have lost 21lbs and my pants are sagging), or that I just didn't have the time to do it.

Lets put it this way. I didn't make myself do it, so I didn't. My dear husband, bless his heart threw me out of the house tonight and said "take thy booty to the gym). I kissed him, grabbed my iPod (which I have finally figured out) and then realized some things.

My sneakers hurt my feet, my sports bra is too big as are my pants, and I really don't have anything to wear that will not embarrass me. So, I went to Target, my favorite store which is now my "splurge" store since we are down to one income.

There, I purchased all the essentials except a new sports bra. Why in the world did they have sports bras with spaghetti straps? I am not looking for a prom dress, people, I am attempting to purchase hardware that will keep "the girls" in one place. No offense to women who have an "A" cup, but some of us have a little more than that and spaghetti straps are not an option.

The good news is I am ready to hit the gym tomorrow. I could make a promise to you all and myself that I am going, but it probably won't work. However, I talked to Nala who wants to know if they have a lot of "cool stuff" at the gym? I told her they sure do and she said could I take a picture of the coolest thing. I told her yes. Have you ever had to disappoint a three year old?

Therefore, tomorrow will be the day.

Tomorrow is also Maxwell's first birthday. I can not believe that a year has passed by so quickly. It seems like yesterday I was still waddling around thinking I had some time before this baby made his or her appearance.

I still remember waking up that Monday morning and thinking "this is definitely my last day." I scooped my hair up into a really curly afro puff, slid my feet into sneakers that were already tied because Tim had left the house before he could tie my shoes, and climbed up into my pseudo SUV. I distinctly remember saying out loud to no one in particular, "this is it for this craziness. I am outta here after today!"

Little did I know that when I went to work and announced to Nancy that I was going to finish up everything today and I was going to work from home until Wednesday and then I was officially out on maternity leave I was closer than I knew.

Max had other plans, however. As I sat in a meeting with Kyle and Jamie something happened. My water broke. What? Could that be what I think it is? It can't be, I'm not ready! My bag isn't packed. My hair isn't done and I look a hot mess. Not to mention the car seat is not in Sherry's car yet. We were doing that today.

But it was and I was on my way.

Now, while I had been a mommy for almost three years, I didn't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies. So I did what anyone would do. I asked Nancy (who has five children) what do I do next?

She laughed and said "call your doctor, you have some time."

I called the doc who said to come on in, and then I called Tim.

"Hey. What are you doing, Schrodel."

" I am just finishing up my last bite of my lunch. What's Up?"

"Well, my water broke and I called Dr. Monzo and she said to come in and see where we are."

"I'm on my way."

The next hour or so happened in a flash. Word spread around the office that my water broke, but I refused to go anywhere until after I my fish sandwich had arrived, because gosh doggone it I was hungry and I KNEW they were not going to let me eat when I got to the hospital. Tim came running in, a blur of red coat wondering why I was signing time sheets (uhh, people must be paid and they aren't going to care if the "boss" was in labor or not) and not waiting at the door. He couldn't believe that I was actually waiting for a fish sandwich. He obviously did not understand the hunger of a pregnant woman.

We were off to the car and I was making phone calls arranging to have Nala picked up from school when my cell rang. It was Nala's day care calling to tell me that she was "itchy, so could you pick her up early today?" I look at that phone.

"Actually, my water just broke and we are on our way to the hospital, so no we can't. But my sister will be picking her up she should be fine until then."

We made it to the hospital at 1:30 where Dr. Monzo said, "yep, lets speed this up. I will meet you all in labor and delivery."


And there we sat for NINE hours. So much for speed. It seems that the baby was not making his/her dissent. I was only 5 cm dialated.

"Well, Kiddo. It does not look like this baby is coming down on his own. We can wait a little while longer or take the baby now. Its up to you."

I look at Tim and he looks at me. We look back at her.

"Well, what do you think? Does this baby have a chance of coming down on its own?"

"Ummmm, probably not."

"Then let's get this baby out!"

After ten hours of waiting, Maxwell Philip came into the world at 11:44pm, February 26th, 2007 via cesarean section. It was not until later that we found out he wasn't making his grand dissent and entrance the old fashioned way because the cord was wrapped around his shoulders and then down his back. I think it was all the tugging he would do on the cord when he was hungry.

I remember when the nurse held him up he looked huge, although he was only six pounds 7 ounces. He looked like his daddy, still does. His eyes were shockingly blue to which Tim exclaimed "Oh my God. Look, Mikki. His eyes are blue! How did that happen?"

I just looked because it certainly did not come from my side of the family *smile*.

It was a good night.

And now, here he is a whole year old. I don't know where the time has gone, but I am glad that he is doing well and growing and walking and being the best bratty baby he knows how to be.

So Happy Birthday, Maxi Max. And here is wishing you many more.

Until the Next Time,
your recovering fat girl,

Mikki