Happy 9th Birthday Tommy!

It is so hard to believe that I have a nine year old.

It's easier to believe that after nine years I still have no idea as to what I'm doing as a parent ;)

But WOW...nine. He's growing up way.too.fast!

On December 2 Tommy celebrated his birthday and grew another year older, adding yet another grey hair to my head.

Although, it's much harder to believe that almost 10 years ago I sat in shock at 12:45am holding a pregnancy test that had 2 purple lines. My life has changed so so much since that night, in such a wonderful way that words wouldn't even do justice.

But I seriously hadn't given any thought to the fact that I even might be pregnant before 11:30pm that night...not until I came across a receipt with a date on it.

Then it was just like a moment out of Ally McBeal - I can seriously envision the light bulb sitting above my head lit up bright.

I was 2 weeks late.

O.M.G.

Of course I rushed out to the store ASAP to get a test.

You wonder how I didn't notice that before I went on vaca for spring break? Yeah, me too. Although I don't know how I didn't guess I was pregnant while on vacation - I was crazy as a loon that whole week! lol

Anyhoo, I was busy. Simple as that. I was getting ready to apply for admission to St. Edwards in Austin, TX.

My mom was looking at houses to buy for me while I went to school there.

I was finally excited about school and doing well again.

Life was really, really good.

Then this happened.

The.best.thing.ever.

There is no need to say anything else because all the emotions I went through, all the arguments about me having a baby at such a young age, all the scary thoughts, all the what if's don't matter anymore.

I was 100% positive I was making the right choice from day one because my heart didn't let me feel any other way.

My brain, however, was working overtime! But I've never claimed to be the most intelligent person so that's a moot point ;)

So on December 2, 1999 I went into the hospital at 5am and my life changed forever at 3:12pm when I saw Tommy for the first time.

The nurses said they had just helped give birth to a future pro-linebacker.

Have you seen my child??? lol Mr. I can't even keep my pants on my waist???

We were all just in awe of how adorable he was.

And for 2 days I just looked at him in shock. lol

It's amazing how unprepared I felt bringing Tommy home for the first time but looking back on it I know God was equipping me those nine months.

I was a different person when he was born, mature enough to raise a child even though I was still such a young girl.

But I wouldn't change a thing about my life. Tommy has been nothing but a blessing to us and we are so happy to celebrate our little man's last year in single digits.

Next year we're entering the double digits. Where in the world has the time gone????

Happy birthday big boy!

(How big are you? Sooooo big!)

I would post more pics of him but I'm still using the bad camera and the pics all look weird. But he had a great night and got all sorts of things he loves from the family...including a snowboard (thanks Grand & Grandad!) and the Nerf Vulcan (thanks Gramma and Grampa!).

I can't wait to see him using that snowboard - woohoo!