We Loved You…Before We Knew You

It's 8 am, Friday August 15th 2008 and we already had been in the hospital for 36 hours, being pumped with pitocin and pain killers.  I had signed the C-Section papers and was thinking this baby was never coming out!  Finally around 10am the nurse said I was 9cm and could start pushing when I felt contractions.  Well, I couldn't feel any contractions because of the epidural, so I just pushed when it felt appropriate.  2 hours later, I heard the words that would change my life forever "...it's a boy!"We already knew his name…Riley.  I will never forget how his little tushy fit perfectly in my hands as they placed him on my chest.  I kept a journal after I had Riley and this is what I wrote 

I felt complete disbelief when I saw you…It took me a while to realize what had just happened, I was so tired.  As soon as they cut the cord, they slipped you under my gown and placed you on my chest, I couldn't really see you, but the feeling of holding you was incredible!  It was the best feeling!  Holding you for the first time made me feel complete for the first time in my life.  After 9 month of feeling you in me, I actually got to touch you. You felt like a part of me and I loved you immediately.  

I am very emotional today, I can't beleive it has been three years with our quirky and lovable Riley.  Monster, Buddy, Buster, Turd Monkey…whatever you call him, he is our little OCD rainman.  He is our cuddler, our sportsman, our entertainer, our nude enthusiast and our musician.  

Riley, mommy and daddy love you more than pizza, chicken nuggets, mater and lightning mcqueen, mickey mouse, pirates, happy birthday cake, fishing, we love you more than hot air balloons, chocolate milk, puppy and yes….we love you more than dragons!    Because of you we are better people and parents and I so wish I could keep you little, but then I guess I would miss out on all the fun that is to come!

Riley Christopher Lafrenz

8/15/2008 12:38pm

8 pounds 4 ounces

23 inches long