Happy Birthday Taylor!!

Tomorrow, November 19th my first born son turns 12! Man, where have the years gone? I remember his birth like it was yesterday. For posterity purpose I want to share this event. Read on if you wish.....I started having contractions while I was at work but didn't think much of them. I still had 7 weeks to go. Way too early! But by the time I got home they were still bugging me so I called the hospital and they told me I was probably just having Braxton-Hicks contractions and to take a warm bath and just relax. So I did that and went to bed. About 11:30 the night of the 18th the contractions started coming harder and closer together so we called the hospital and they told us to come in and they'd "check" me. We called our parents and headed to the hospital. We got there and they (the check in people) rolled their eyes at us, I'm sure it was because of how young we were, and got me hooked up to a machine. Within 30 minutes they realized these weren't fake and called in my doctor. They did all they could to stop these dang contractions but Taylor was determined to make his appearance. The hospital I was at was not equipped to handle premature babies and they had to call in a helicopter to take me up to the University of Utah. What a ride that was! Actually I really don't remember much with all the drugs I had in me by that point but I do remember Troy telling me he'd be right behind me and that he'd see me soon. That freaked me out a little but we had to get our baby to a safe place. They got me to the U and rushed me to a room and prepared for delivery. Now, as you may know, the U is a teaching hospital and they asked if I'd be willing to let some students watch the delivery. Again, so many drugs at this point I didn't really care. I just wanted my baby here, safe and sound, in my arms! So, in the delivery room was Troy, my parents, his parents, Troy's brother and his wife and about 12 doctors, nurses, and students. We had a full house!! I had been in labor over 12 hours and it was finally time. The next guy that came in looked like an ugly Doogie Howser and we weren't quite sure what to think. He sat down and appeared to be ready to deliver our baby. We actually asked him if the doctor would be in soon and he laughed and said, "I am the doctor". "Oh" was all we could say! Well I gave a few good pushes and out he came, almost right off the edge of the table. The doc wasn't ready and our slippery little guy just about went onto the floor. Its all on video, I am NOT exaggerating. He wasn't breathing though so they immediately started working on him and luckily got him stabilized. They took him to the NICU right away and I wasn't able to see him until the next day. Our little guy was a fighter and he was not giving up! He ended up staying in the hospital for just over a month. Troy and I drove to the hospital a couple of times a day. It was so hard to leave him. Then, we got the call that we would be able to bring him home for Christmas. He had finally reached 5 pounds and decided he would eat without a feeding tube. We were so excited!! It was the best present ever!! I could go on and on about this kid of mine. What wonderful memories we have made over the past 12 years. We are so blessed to be his parents and though we started out WAY TOO young, he has been my saving grace and was a blessing at that time in so many ways. I am proud of who he is and who he is becoming. He is a great big brother and has an incredible personality. And if you have a question about a sports team, player, etc. This kid has the answer. He is one of the smartest kids I know. His brain has to hurt because its holding so much information!! He is an amazing golfer, sometimes even beating his Dad. Taylor, I hope you know that I love you THIS much (arms stretching out) and I couldn't imagine anything better than being your mommy!! Happy Birthday pal......I hope its a day you always remember!!