Tuesday, Nov. 30th, marked our middle child, Theodore’s (Theo/Ted/Teddy’s) seventh birthday! If we jump in the DeLorean and go back in time to 2014, I can share with you a couple of funny stories surrounding Ted’s arrival.
Nov. 29, 2014, we had arrived at what I called the “Baby Floor” at UnityPoint Health here in Muscatine (I think it was called the birth suite–either way, it was where babies were born, you get it). After spending several hours in a room, we were told by a nurse to head home and that it, “wasn’t time for the baby just yet.” My wife Kasey and I grabbed our things and started walking down the hallway towards the elevator. During that short walk, we were discussing hitting the McDonald’s drive-thru on Park Avenue.
As we were about to make the turn to the elevator bank, Kasey stopped and said, “I think my water just broke.”
I dropped the bags and said, “I really wanted a quarter pounder with cheese.” We turned around and walked back into the room we had been in. Our nurse was working to turn things over when we declared, “It now seems to be baby time!”
Theodore was born that following morning and was a big baby, weighing in at nearly 10 pounds. I’ll never forget the moment he arrived and when they laid him on my wife. Ted, as a newborn baby, lifted his head, turned, and looked right at me.
We also quickly realized that the typical newborn-sized diapers were not going to fit this big baby. Thankfully, the UnityPoint team had larger sizes available. It was at that moment that I knew this young man was going to be strong! Little did we know just how much personality would develop.
If memory serves me, Ted rolled over at maybe 1-2 months old, started crawling early, and walked rather quickly. I have to assume that having a big brother motivated Ted to begin moving at an early age. He was also a very loud baby, which I attribute to my wife’s side of the family since I’m so quiet (that is sarcasm, so before you go running to my father-in-law please note that).
Ted has grown into a very sweet, strong-willed, and intelligent young man. He excels in the classroom, all while still wearing his beloved pajamas.
I will say that once the school day is over, he seems to let out some “steam” and can occasionally get in trouble at home. The other day, we discovered that “someone” had written the ABCs on the wall heading upstairs at our house. Upon sharing this information with Ted, he declared, “looks like Lucy’s handwriting.” Keep in mind that she just turned three.
Being a parent is by far the most complicated but rewarding job. Some days it feels like I’m watching a movie while experiencing my life. I blinked and went from 18 years old to 38 with three kids, two dogs, and of course, a “few” gray hairs. Life is good, and we are so grateful.
Happy Birthday, Ted! Keep that big personality and heart–you’re going places, kid!
