Max is 4 Today!

The anesthesiologist walked into my labor and delivery room to inform me neither she, nor any anesthesiologist in the hospital would give me an epidural. And while I had never, even for a second, ever, considered a natural childbirth, I really never would have considered it with a chemically induced labor. But the pitocin was in the IV, my water was broken, the contractions had started and I was staring down the barrel of my worst nightmare. That's when Dan started. "Oh my gosh! You can't do this! You will never be able to do this! What are we going to do?! You'll never be able to do this!"

And what am I if not a challenge taker? Telling me I don't have the ability to do something is a sure way to get me to do it. If I feel like it, anyway.

But, for me, this was big. Dan seemed to be the voice of my thoughts. I quickly realized, however, that those thoughts would only make the situation worse. So, I did what I had to do and told him to, "Shut up."

I believe that took him by surprise. And from the moment he saw my determination, he changed his tune completely and let me get to work.

My friend, Melissa, hypnobirther extraordinare, came straight to the hospital and saved my psychological life.

I never felt pain like that before, and despite the unexpected circumstances, on this day, four years ago, Max made his entrance into my life, into our family, and it was a spiritual experience to match any other. I knew for certain that God's hands had been on us both that day. And I felt the excitement in the room from those both physically there those that were not.

Max is my little heart. He is a stubborn as they come. He's naughty. He makes us laugh everyday. He is never short of compliments and expressions of love. One of his most common phrases is, "I just love my family!" And I assure him, without hesitation, that we love him too.

Happy 4th Birthday, Max!