He's almost 1!

I wouldn't suggest reading this post, if you happen to be sickened by mushy baby memories. In only one week and two days my baby boy will be a whole year old. We tried for three months to get pregnant. Billy even began to assume he was unable to have children. He had suffered through two miscarriages in a past relationship, and wasn't even sure if they were his to begin with. He really wanted a baby of his own. The day I found out I was pregnant, I waited for him to leave; I didn't want him to be disappointed if it came out negative. That was a mistake! I was so excited, I couldn't stand still, I couldn't even breath properly. He had gone for an hour drive to pick up his nephew, and planned to keep him overnight. I didn't want to tell him over the phone either.
Unable to tell Billy he was going to be a daddy, I had to go on with my day, containing my enthusiasm. I had a birthday party at the bowling alley to take my boys to, so to the bowling alley we went. About an hour later, Billy finally showed up. I still couldn't tell him! The jaw locking smile on my face should have been a hint that something was up, but couldn't figure it out, and I didn't want to tell him with all those people around. So I had to wait at least two more hours, which seemed more like ten, before we finally made it home. There are times where a man's tears can be the sweetest thing in the world.
Billy took the boys and I everywhere to shop for the baby. When I say everywhere, I don't mean just Joplin. We went to Webb City, Carthage, Springfield, Tulsa, and a couple places I hadn't heard of, and don't remember exactly. He had to be sure we weighed ALL of our options.
He was borne 4 weeks early. It was a normal day; I woke up at 5a.m. worked-welding and grinding, I got off early to see my kindergartner in his first school program at 2p.m., Billy and I then went to my doctor "check up" appointment at 3:15 p.m. As the doc went to check how dilated I was, he was joking with a nurse and asked if the nurse guessed I was at a 5 or 6. The nurse laughed, because that would mean I was going into labor. Right after he said that, he said "she is! 5 to 6" I was told to meet him at the hospital. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. I had to argue for time to go home and pack a bag to take with me.
He was born at 10:23 p.m. Beautiful baby boy 6lbs-8.8oz. By midnight, I was still awake waiting for a nurse to unhook me so I could shower. Bradley had put daddy to sleep in the chair next to me. They had both had a long day.