Twelve

When I think back to 12 years ago today, I remember being the heaviest I’ve ever weighed.
I was swollen beyond recognition and had zero feeling in my hands due to extreme water retention – also known as edema.
Ahhh pregnancy, you were very unkind to me back in 2001.
I really wish I had a photo to post but I would not allow any camera lenses facing my direction. I looked ridiculous.
Sausage fingers aside, 12 years ago today was one of the most important and unforgettable days of my life. My little ginger hair boy entered the world and I became a MOM.

Motherhood has been a wild ride to say the least but I’m so grateful that my introduction into it was with Cam. He was a beautiful baby with a peaceful demeanor and made the early days a breeze. The road has been bumpy but there’s my sweet Campbell, always there at his very best when we need him to be.
We know this for sure; we had him first for a reason.
Today we celebrate my firstborn. My ginger babe. My athlete.
Cuyler and Eva’s teacher and protector. Sean’s sidekick.

I feel like our relationship is changing. There are times when he drives me more mad than I ever thought possible. There are times when he thinks I’m a bitch.
We are both experiencing growing pains of sorts.
He’s trying to figure out who he is and I’m to figure out how to guide him through that.
I sometimes think we are going to really get along when he’s older…like 16? 18ish?
Right now we have power struggles every day. I pick my battles and believe that he will learn so much through natural consequences however I’m finding this age to be difficult.
I am trying very hard to walk us through this phase respectfully. I don’t always get it from him, but I try so hard to model it for him.
With each age/stage the challenges posed become more complex but I have to say – I am very much looking forward to watching him grow into a young man.
Growing pains aside, he’s really a terrific kid.