Sweet Baby Boy
Two years ago today my baby was born. My youngest son. The little man that completed our family. I remember how badly I wanted him and craved him. His name was going to be Zachary (or Mary).
I remember the shock and excitement the day that I realized that he was coming. Just 1 month before I had a tubal pregnancy and was so, so very sad. I kept imagining that my last chance was gone and I wanted so badly to “save” that baby. It was August 20, 2006 and I was watching Sesame Street with big brother Ian. The kids on Sesame Street were graduating from High School and I started bawling like a baby. As I sat there doing the ugly cry, I had a “HUH?” moment. Why in the world am I crying about Sesame Street? I know I’m mushy, but that’s a bit much even for me! I grabbed my purse and car keys, told my husband I’d be right back and rushed up to the drug store. When I got back, I locked myself in the bathroom and used a home pregnancy kit. It immediately popped up at me with PREGNANT! I was shocked. I immediately ran to find Daddy to tell him the news.
Questions filled my mind. Was this still the ectopic pregnancy? If not, would this baby be okay? My doctor had given me several injections of Methotrexate (chemotherapy injections) to deplete my body of folic acid in order to save my tube (and me). Can a baby be conceived when you don’t have folic acid in your system? I’d been taking prenatal vitamins and extra folic acid for the past 2 weeks, was this enough? I was thrilled. I was terrified. I was excited. I was amazed. I was scared. I Googled Methotrexate and pregnancy (big mistake) and every article I found made my panic increase tenfold. It stayed in your liver for 3 months, it could cause horrible things for unborn babies.
My Doctors were concerned but also relieved that I’d started taking vitamins and folic acid on my own so early. They told me to pat myself on the back for them. They assured me that my chances were good that I wouldn’t lose him and that they would monitor my pregnancy very closely. They told me that my biggest risks were Spina Bifida (runs in my family and is caused by low folic acid) and intrauterine growth retardation. I had doctor appointments and blood work done almost weekly and ultrasounds every month. I was able to watch him grow and my heart swelled.
I was hoping for another boy. I was hoping for a healthy baby. I was hoping for a miracle.
On April 16, 2007, my baby boy was born. When they handed me my baby “Zachary”, I took one look at him and said “His name is Nathaniel”, which means “Gift from God”. He truly is. I love him, I cherish him and more than anything else, I’m proud and grateful that he is my Sweet Baby Boy.
Happy 2nd Birthday Nathaniel, Mommy loves you!
What a sweet story! Happy Birthday Buddy! Take it all in Nancy – time flies… my baby will be 5 this year.
Aww! Happy Birthday Buddy!
oh, nancy! what a beautiful story. made me think of lauren when she was a baby and I kinda got teary eyed. way to go, mom!!
Happy Birthday Nathaniel from all at Carl And Me
Happy birthday to your little one! I love that you have three boys. I have just two and LOVE having boys. My littlest turns two in one month.
Happy birthday Zachary!!! What a very sweet post!!!
Love hearing the story again. Happy Birthday!!
From a darling baby to a big, healthy, and I am sure, very active, 2 year old boy. You are one lucky Mom. Adorable at birth and even more cute now.
Happy birthday, Zachary. (I’m glad you are not a Mary!)
-Francesca
Happy birthday big guy!!!!!!
happy birthday!!! hope you enjoyed your 2nd birthday, big guy!!
AH!!! what a wonderful story!!! I got pregnant 2 months after my tubal but misscarried.
so after that we waited for a whole year before trying again. Your little one is truly a miracle!! I love his newborn picture!!! soooo sweet!!!! happy belated birthday Nathaniel!!!! 
AWWWWWWWW what a sweet post, and a BEAUTIFUL baby. I blogged today about how I hope parents appreciate their healthy babies, and it seems you really do. It’s so refreshing to see a great mom appreciate her little boy!!. WAY TO GO!
Wow what a story!! He is a miracle and gift from God! Happy 2nd birthday!