A Tribute to Two

Before I get into the particulars of Sawyer's birthday, let me reminisce a little.

Warning: This might be TMI for some folks. So if you aren't up for some sappy sentiment or are uncomfortable with pregnant talk, feel free to move on.

Here's the thing. Not all pregnancies end happily. But you don't really think about that until it happens to you.

My pregnancy with Parker was easy as pregnancies go. No complications, no worries. He came along as a happy surprise, first discovered when he was a good eight weeks on the way.

Then came two miscarriages in 2006. Such a sad year - a frustrating year that prompted our friends to bring this cake to our New Year's Eve party. (Don't look, mom.) I needed a good laugh after all the tears.

On the advice of friends and my doctor, we went to the Nashville Fertility Center. We NEVER expected to find ourselves here, let me tell you. But we discovered the problem, and it made all the difference in the world. A thorough round of blood work showed that my body was viewing those little babies as foreign objects to destroy. So the next time around, I had to give myself a shot in the stomach of Lovenox (blood thinner) every single day for the entire pregnancy, along with hormones, baby aspirin (also a blood thinner), and some very close monitoring - once-a-week doctor visits and many, many ultrasounds.

The result: Sawyer, our beautiful baby boy. Worth every needle and all those months of nausea, a million times over.

Today he is a stout little toddler, opinionated and sweet, with a love of dogs, balls, Elmo, bugs, water play, books and the outdoors. A picky eater, he won't touch a vegetable (except to drop it in the floor) but loves any kind of fruit. He does not talk much, although he understands. We're keeping an eye on the late-talking situation, but our doctor thinks it's too soon to worry, since he is so social, playful and communicative in other ways. After our nightly stories, Sawyer insists on sleeping with a stack of books, and the stack changes each night. He likes to pelt us with Cheerios from his car seat while we drive, which is maddening and hilarious at the same time. He is quiet, cautious in new situations, and a little comedian at home.

His second birthday was a small family celebration, and Sawyer's Nonnie and cousin Drew drove six hours from Arkansas to be here for the festivities. His Uncle C.P., Grandma and Grandpa Tucker would have been here, too, if they were able. Thank you all so much for the cards and gifts. We used the money to buy a family membership to the zoo, since Sawyer is our resident animal lover, and we figure it's a gift that we'll use it many, many times all year long.

Happy second birthday to you, Sawyer. We are so happy you're here. It's an honor to be your mom.

Here are a few pictures from the birthday weekend (week before last - I'm a little late posting these). Thanks to Nonnie and Drew for an on-the-go weekend full of food, conversation, shopping and just hanging out.

A heated game of Operation. Yeah, we know how to party.

Nonnie and Drew with Sawyer ...


Parker got some attention, too...

Sawyer giving Drew "bones" as they headed out.

And here's a look at baby Sawyer, just minutes after he was born.