Happy 5th Birthday Dominic

I can't believe that 5 yrs have flown by. My "baby boy" is 5 years old today.

Five years ago, I was getting my iv started and being prepped for a c-section. Silly Dominic was breech with his feet behind his ears - by the way - he still has to take the path less traveled and to the beat of his own drum.

Mark was brought into the OR when Dr. Penney was ready to start. Mark was in charge of taking pictures and announcing the gender - we were being surprised - at least something in our infertility process had to be "old-fashioned". About 8 mins later, I heard a baby crying. Still one of the best sounds I have ever heard.

At that moment, Dominic took his first breath that took ours away.

Mark was so taken back by the entire process that I have one picture today! Plus he had to be reminded to tell me if it was a boy or girl! I was already crying but Mark looked down at me with huge crocodile tears and said, "It's a boy! We have a son. Dominic is finally here."

Mark was able to trim the cord and after Dominic was all wrapped up, Mark brought him to me. I didn't want to let him go but he needed to be taken to the nursery to get cleaned up more and warmed up from being in that cold OR.

Two days later we were all headed home - as a family. I sat next to Dominic in the back seat and held his hand for our drive home. I was a complete teary mess before we left the parking lot! Mark turned around to look at us and he was crying too.

All the emotions that we had been experiencing throughout our fertility struggles - plus being tired already - just all came out at once. We were finally parents - finally Mommy and Daddy. Our lives had now forever changed in ways we could only imagine at the time.

When I woke Dominic this morning for school, I told him his birth story. He had the biggest smile on his face. I told him that mommy and daddy cried so many happy tears the day our miracle was born. He looked up at me, wiped the tears from my eyes and said, "Mommy, you still have happy tears right now."

I responded with, "Yes, Dominic. Mommy still has happy tears whenever I think about how God sent us you."

I love you with all my heart, my sweet child. You are our beautiful work of A.R.T. Happy 5th Birthday!