Happy Birthday, Son

Dear Mason ...

I want to tell you a little story. Your daddy and I got married in 1999 and about a year later, we decided that we wanted to expand our family. Month after month, year after year ... we were not successful in achieving our dream. After about three years, we began undergoing fertility treatments. Cycle one ... not pregnant. Cycle two ... not pregnant. Cycles three and four ... not pregnant.

We moved on to more invasive treatment, something called in vetro fertilization. Cycle one ... we found out I was pregnant! Finally, after all these years, our dreams had come true. We were going to have a baby ... and that baby was you! While I was pregnant, you were a feisty little thing. I sang to you every morning on my way to work and you would kick me to let me know you were listening.

I will never forget the day you were born. I already knew you were a feisty little guy and you kept it up by refusing to leave my belly. I pushed and pushed for two hours ... nothing. We found out you were facing the wrong direction, or "sunny side up". That and the fact that you had such a big head ... well nothing was getting you out, not even the doctor's vacuum seal on your head. So off to the operating room we went for a cesarean section. All I remember is hearing you cry ... it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. You were such a handsome little guy ... and you had a lot of dark hair!

You were a very happy, easy going baby. As you began to get older, you were always into something ... and you haven't stopped since. The fact that you are turning five years old today boggles my mind ... you are definitely every bit of five! You have so many qualities that I adore ... you are thoughtful, funny, loving, enthusiastic, compassionate ... the list goes on. You are a leader among your friends and you persevere in everything that you do. You are the best big brother ever ... your "babies", as you like to call your sisters, adore you.

Here are some of your favorite things:
Macaroni and cheese
Chocolate milk
Batman
Helping Mommy cook
Power rangers
School
Your best friend, Alex
Playing sports
Spending time with your Grandma B., Aunties and Uncles
Playing video games
Hanging out with your Daddy, doing boy things

Happy 5th birthday, Bubs. You make me laugh every day ... I love you so much! Please stop growing up so fast, because I can barely keep up!

Love, Mommy