On the Day You Were Born

by Lara on August 15, 2012

Sweet baby boy,

There stands a book on your nursery bookshelf entitled, “On the Day You Were Born.”

I have been waiting…waiting…waiting to read it to you, and to finally be able to tell you about the day you were born.

You began your birth journey, almost to the minute, at midnight on your due date. Your father and I marveled at your punctuality. It seems that from the very beginning, baby boy, you have astounded us with your ability to come when we’ve asked for you. As though you have been waiting for us to be ready, instead of the other way around.

Your entry to the world was longer and harder than we expected.  Years from now, when you threaten to get a tattoo or join some sort of religious cult, I will remind you of this, how I fought to escort you into this world for hours, and hours, and hours, without so much as an aspirin, before reaching a breaking point I never knew existed.

Then, sweet boy, I asked for much more than aspirin.

You arrived fashionably late, to a room full of people cheering you on.  I’ll never forget the moments right before you arrived, the sheer joy in your father’s voice as he fought back tears gathering the words to tell me you were almost here.

And then you were here.  And for all the years and months I’ve spent wondering what you might look like, I saw you and my heart said, Of course this is you.  Of course.  This is who I’ve been looking for my whole life.

For months we have foolishly been telling people how excited we were to meet you.  But in that moment, it didn’t feel like we were meeting you.

It felt like we found you.

Everything after that is hazy.  I asked how you were, if you were okay.  The nurses assured me you looked wonderful.

I remember that they said wonderful.

Your father and I both agree.  You are the closest we will ever come to magic.

“And as they held you close

they whispered 

in your open, curving ear,

‘We are so glad you’ve come!'”

 

{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }

Sana August 15, 2012 at 2:12 pm

Congrats to you and your family 🙂

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Kim August 15, 2012 at 2:14 pm

Beautifully written Lara. Congratulations to you all, you make a beautiful family.

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Liz August 15, 2012 at 2:16 pm

This is such an incredibly heartfelt and wonderfully written tribute to your little boy 🙂 Congratulations again!

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Abby August 15, 2012 at 2:17 pm

So beautiful…both the post and the family. Congrats to everyone!

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Sara August 15, 2012 at 2:26 pm

Such a beautiful post for such a beautiful boy! Congratulations!

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Abby August 15, 2012 at 2:31 pm

This was so beautiful, it made me cry! And now my daughter is wondering what in the world is wrong with me. Congratulations on your beautiful little boy! Hold tight to that overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude when things get tough (exhausting and oh so frustrating) and you’ll be just fine 🙂

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Roz@weightingfor50 August 15, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Congratulations on the safe arrival of your little man!!!!

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Kaeli August 15, 2012 at 2:33 pm

Lara, this literally made me sob with joy. I am so excited that your little boy has found you! This piece made me look forward to becoming a mother someday. Thank you for sharing your journey so candidly and beautifully.

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Wendy August 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm

I’ve been checking my google reader DAILY to see if he arrived. Congrats!!! He is a good boy already listening to his Mom and Dad and turning himself around for you!

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Lisa August 15, 2012 at 2:48 pm

This is so beautiful. Congratulations to you and your wonderful family.

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Jessie @ Graze With Me August 15, 2012 at 2:48 pm

“It felt like we found you.” <— Well phrased! Truer words have never been spoken.

Oh, and we have that book you're referring to. I STILL can't read it to Lyric without sobbing my head off. I make Dave read it to her instead. Congrats!!!

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Rene August 15, 2012 at 2:57 pm

Lovely. As usual.

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Emily Malone August 15, 2012 at 3:25 pm

Aaaaaaaaaaaand now I’m crying. Love love love him!

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Lissa August 15, 2012 at 3:53 pm

Congrats, Lara! What a beautiful welcome to your sweet boy!
Thank you for sharing it here. We are so excited to hear your
updates. Love and hugs!

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Stacey August 15, 2012 at 4:31 pm

Congrats on your beautiful baby boy! Lovely post.

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Stacy K. August 15, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Congratulations, this is such a sweet story and it made me look forward to our Grahams birthday in a few months.

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Susan August 15, 2012 at 5:23 pm

Congrats Lara! (and Matthew!) A wonderful baby indeed 🙂

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lindsay August 15, 2012 at 5:49 pm

so precious! congratulations friend. Hugs!

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Andrea@WellnessNotes August 15, 2012 at 6:25 pm

You are all very lucky to have found each other! 🙂

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Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily August 15, 2012 at 7:10 pm

He is perfect, congrats!

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Heather Eats Almond Butter August 15, 2012 at 7:52 pm

Been waiting for this post. It was perfect. 🙂

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Ruby @ Focus, Woman! August 16, 2012 at 12:20 am

<3 he's perfect Lara! I know what you mean about this whole "meeting" deal. He's no stranger, you already know him better than anyone else 😉

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Lindsey Pitts August 16, 2012 at 5:01 am

Very well put- so glad youre so happy! Cant wait to talk to you!

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Ashley @Hop Skip Jump August 16, 2012 at 5:34 am

Congrats!! He is adorable and soo precious!!!!

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Stacie @ Snaps and Bits August 16, 2012 at 6:35 am

So beautiful Lara! I was getting all misty here. He’s gorgeous!

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Lauren August 16, 2012 at 7:02 am

Wow, just wow. That is absolutely precious. Made me tear up here at work! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.

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Rachael August 16, 2012 at 11:02 am

Lara,

You have a way with words! Beautiful.

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janetha August 16, 2012 at 1:47 pm

over the moon for you guys!!! XOXOXOXO

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holly August 16, 2012 at 3:00 pm

so beautiful. i am soooo happy for your precious new family 🙂

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nicole August 16, 2012 at 4:24 pm

That was beautiful! Congratulations!

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Leah August 17, 2012 at 1:46 am

“Of course this is you. Of course. This is who I’ve been looking for my whole life.”

That line gave me chills .. and sums up exactly how a mom would look at their newborn baby so perfectly. After Sophie was born and I wished her a Happy Birthday I remember thinking how lucky I was that she was ours..

I hope you are enjoying being his mama- he’s lucky to have you!

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Erin August 17, 2012 at 7:52 pm

This is literally the best birth story I’ve ever read, Lara. 🙂 I hope you’re feeling well and you’re enjoying your amazing family! So happy for you guys!

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Marie-Sophie August 17, 2012 at 11:36 pm

Congratulations and I wish you an amazing time through the first weeks of being a family!!

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Susan August 18, 2012 at 4:56 am

Congratulations to you and your hub. He looks so beautiful!

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Biz August 18, 2012 at 9:40 am

Lovely post Lara! I am so excited for you guys – he’s absolutely beautiful!!

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Gail in Kent August 19, 2012 at 1:39 pm

Oh, I’m so behind on all your news! Congratulations, Lara and Matthew! I see he turned, but I guess it was really difficult so I’m thinking you had a c/s after a lot of hard work? You’re a star, Lara! He’s here and you’re both healthy (right?). I saw the Instagram photo on your site and he looks just like his father, doesn’t he! Both are adorable. As for writing a post, probably best to just write for yourself. I’m sure you’ve got loads of emotions to spill out when the moments come, as they will, in dribs and drabs, and that will help you process your amazing (in various ways) experience. As for us following you, just the stats for now will make me happy. Later on, you could derive what you want to share later from your own scribbles. Goodness, he’s only a week old and you’re already worrying about writing a birth story for us! Rest, relax, eat, drink, and feed little “G” (umm, my guess is Graham?). Lots of love, Gail in Kent xoxo

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Katie @ Legally Fit August 20, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Just beautiful, Lara. Congratulations on your sweet boy!

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Gail in Kent August 22, 2012 at 12:33 pm

P.S. I have a feeling that cute little blankie he’s wrapped up in (photo, above) was once yours or Matthew’s from long ago?

How are you feeling, darlin’? Thinking of you. xo

Gail in Kent

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Lara October 4, 2012 at 9:20 am

Hi Gail! That blanket is actually a hospital blanket, but I have one at home that used to be mine for him 🙂

You asked for stats…G was 7 lbs, 1 oz and 19.5″ long, although I think he was mis-measured because two days later at the pediatrician’s, he was an inch longer! xo

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Ana Maria August 23, 2012 at 7:12 am

Just beautiful, congratulations!

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Laural @ Being Healthier August 26, 2012 at 7:03 am

i 40th that… beautiful… absolutely beautiful in everyway. Magic. So wonderful! Congratulations Lara and Matt, spectacular!

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danielle October 4, 2012 at 8:02 am

So late to the game here but a huge congrats to you! This is by far the most beautiful post I’ve read anywhere ever. Seriously. You managed to articulate the immensity of meeting your baby, an occasion which until now came close to “indescribable”. thank you for finding so many of the words that I longed to when my son was born…I wish you joy in every moment!

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Lara October 4, 2012 at 9:21 am

Thank you so much for the sweet comment!

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Marlène October 11, 2012 at 5:45 am

Congratulations! What a beautiful post; it brougth tears to my eyes!

All the best in these next months with your newborn. Enjoy the ride!

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Lara October 11, 2012 at 4:53 pm

Thank you very much!

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