Memories

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word.

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass"

This was the lullaby that I sang to my son whenever he cried during his first days on Earth. Walking the dimly lit hallways of the hospital I would sing and hum lyrics that I barely knew with the hope that it would calm and soothe him. Early in the morning following my cesarean section the hospital staff didn't respond to my call. I carefully eased out of my bed to tend to my baby. I couldn't bear to hear him cry. Perhaps it was the hormones but I did everything in my power to keep my baby quiet and happy.

Every moment was so cherished and precious; he is my miracle baby. After fibroid removal surgery and an ectopic pregnancy resulting in the emergency removal of my fallopian tube, there was no guarantee I would have a baby. Luckily we conceived a month after getting the green light to try again from our doctor. Tthe first few months of the pregnancy were fine. Like many moms I had the obligatory all day "morning sickness." But soon after I hit 20 weeks my little boy decided he might want to arrive early.

Before his arrival at 38 weeks, I took five trips to the hospital, was on bedrest and on medications to keep pre-term labor at bay. And despite everything - it was worth it! My bundle of joy arriving screaming at the top of his lungs and all was right in my world.

Memories of those days are still vivid but sometimes it is hard to believe my once 6lb 10oz baby boy is now 16 months and deep into toddlerhood.

My baby, my life, my love. I have never known love like this before. Truly the greatest love of all.