Before your arrival, I can remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital full of anxiety and anticipation. Your Dad Steven and Grandma Patti were there as well. They were laughing and making jokes, like they typically did when they were together, but I was quiet and full of nerves. We didn't know what was going to happen after you arrived. So many hospital visits and check ups on your well being before this day. So many doctors attempting to diagnose you pre birth. Your Dad almost acted as if he knew it was all going to be okay. He was calm and smiling, like he was most of the time.
You came in to this world a screaming mess and to my surprise and the surprise of the doctors, you were perfect. Dad Steven quickly got to hold you while they took care of mom. While in recovery, you were brought in to me, which was completely unexpected. I held you and loved on your perfection. I didn't see you again for another day, as you were taken off to the NICU. Once in there, you proved to us all that you were just fine. You were Jake and you were ready to take on this world.
From the moment you were born, you belonged to me. You were my commitment, you gave me a voice, you taught me how to be a fighter and how to question authority. You gave me confidence and a heart to see past differences or things that were scary and love unconditionally.
Your 6 years has not been the easiest of most 6 year olds. Between hospital stays, blood draws, the loss of a Dad 9 days after your 1st birthday, the upheaval of life and the calm after the storm, you have remained my love, my cuddle, my compassionate kid. Maybe you will grow to be a nurse or a doctor. You apply band-aids to Jacksons hands each time he is here and last night you made me a card that said, "I hope you feel beder mom" because the cold season has finally caught up to me. You crawl in bed with me because you need to snuggle and what you don't know is I need it too. You remind me to stop and look around and you are the sweetest of sweets. Before you turned two, you gained another Dad who loved you from the start. Dad Travis was anxious to jump in and show you love and comfort beyond measure. Dad laid with you in the hospital, comforted you at night and became your protector. You were slow to give him the love in return, but once you grabbed his leg in an unfamiliar place he knew you were his. You've always been a mamas boy, but you know Dad is the strongest guy you know. Although you have figured out how to push Bryce's buttons beyond measure, he is your best friend. You adore your baby brother to the point that you are far too rough when hugging him or feeling the need to rub your face on the top of his head, but you are a lover. You will have your heart broken too many times but each time will be a lesson learned. And each time, my heart will break with you. You want to live at Disneyland and you want to feed a rhino. You wake up each morning bouncing off the walls and jumping around when I am just trying to get downstairs to the coffee pot. You love movies and anything IronMan. You like video games and you are the artist in our home. I think you may attempt to cuddle up in my lap until you leave for college and I'm totally okay with that, although you say you're not going to college because you want to live with Mom forever, and I'm okay with that too.
​Happy 6th Birthday Jake. I look forward to seeing where this next year takes us. You are always an adventure.