Joey is Turning Four!

Sunday will be the fourth birthday of my littlest boy.  I am slowly coming to terms with the fact I no longer have a baby in my house.  It is so bittersweet.  On one hand, I celebrated the day I realized I no longer had to buy diapers or pull-ups.  I bought them continuously for ten years.  We went to Six Flags for the first time this year and I realized we did not have to lug a stroller around or carry a bag filled with supplies.  Think of the freedom!  I do miss the sweet baby belly laughs and the baby smell.  (Well, some of the baby smells…) 

When we found out we were expecting Joey, it came as somewhat of a shock.  I had gone to the doctor for a sinus infection and was told, ”Mrs. Campagnone, we are going to give you something to make you feel better.  You do know your pregnant, right?”  I must have looked dumbfounded because the poor doctor asked me three times if I was okay! 

It was another surprise in the delivery room, when I gave birth to a baby who was over ten pounds.  (The doctor swore he was only going to be around seven. Yeah, Right!)   My whole birth plan was simple…Get the drugs! I didn’t practice breathing in preparation.  I practiced asking for all the drugs on the medicine cart.   I’ve had two other babies and I wasn’t looking for a medal or anything.  Imagine my surprise (and horror) when I went from zero to birth in under thirty minutes with no medication!

I guess the word surprise is the best way to sum up my baby boy.  One great, big, wonderful surprise!  Out of all my children, Joey is my practical joker.  He is constantly playing tricks on Aaron, me, and his brothers.  He is also my musician.  Yes, I FINALLY got one!  He makes up his own songs on the way to school every morning.  Then, he ask me, “Mommy, Do you like that?  Forget The wheels on the bus, Joey is an Aerosmith fan.  He sings on key, too!  

Joey is really excited about turning four.  He has been planning his birthday party for months.  He talks about it constantly.  His mommy is a little less excited about this event.  It is hard letting your baby grow up.  However, I do look forward to seeing the young man Joseph is going to be.  

Dear Mom....

Dear Mom,

Do you know how much you mean to me?  I wonder.  Do you know growing up I wanted to be a mom because you were such a great one?  When I was little you took me to baton lessons, t-ball games, and countless piano lessons.  You found time to, not only take me to girl scouts, but actually lead our troop. We didn’t have a sissy troop either.  Sure, we did sewing projects. We also camped out in a swamp with 12 kinds of poisonous snakes and alligators.  You also found time to get me to piano lessons!  I never remember not having a birthday party when I was little.  You worked a more than full time job and always found time to volunteer in my class.  Even though you were terrified of water, you signed me up for swimming lessons and allowed me to learn to water ski.  During all of this, you always seemed to get me to piano lessons on time.

My teenage years were a breeze.  I was always respectful and well behaved.  I never pushed the envelope or tried to cross the boundaries you set for me.  I always practiced for my piano lessons.  I never dated boys with earrings or long hair.  You were very lucky.  I hear other mom’s have a much harder time with their teenage daughters!  (Okay, we will compromise and say it could have been worse.   Hey, do you think either of us would have survived if it were worse? (: )

 I see now the rules you set for me weren’t to cramp my style.  You wanted to keep me safe.  I get it now.  I love that about you.  I also love you always included my friends in everything we did.  Some of them practically lived with us.   You encouraged my talents.  You were at every vocal concert. You listened to me rehearse all of my music for hours on end.  You were honest.  You didn’t just tell me it sounded good.  You told me what to work on.  Then, you listened to me practice again for hours.  (Most parents would have just said it sounded great the first time just to shut me up!)  I may not have gotten every new fashion trend, but I always got everything I needed. You made sure I went on every school and church trip.  (Remember the 11 states choir tour?)   You also made sure I got to every piano lesson.   

You have given me strength, mom.  When I didn’t have enough of my own, you gave me yours.  When we found out Tyler was going to be born with Down Syndrome, you were amazing.  You turned into research lady and helped me find out everything I could on it.  You also defended me against those who were pushing me to choose other options.   You were there when he was born, there when he was three and we almost lost him, and still here now when I am now dealing with the wonderful pre-teen years myself.  Logan and Joe think the sun rises and sets with Grandma.  I love they feel they can confide in you.  You are a wonderful grandma.  

I love you, mom!  I hope I can be half as good a mom to my boys as you have been to me.  Oh, and 12 years of piano lessons and I can play a heartfelt rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Good try, Mom.  Good try.