At 3:30 a.m. on July 20, 2003, after 39 weeks of pregnancy, I suddenly went into labor. I had been watching a Law & Order marathon all day and into the night. Chapin was asleep in bed. Around 4:30, I finally went upstairs and woke him up to take me to the hospital. Despite my request that he let them sleep, Chapin called my parents and they showed up around 7 a.m. At 11:21 a.m., with his Daddy, Grandad and Mimi gathered around, Pumpkinhead made his way into the world. He was 7lbs, 11 oz and 21″ and a real miracle.
Now he’s just shy of 50lbs and 43″ and is turning four years old. He is so smart and funny and cuddly. He’s decided that after four years of co-sleeping, he needs to move to his own room. I’m proud of him, excited for me, and also a little sad. Every day I think that this is as good as it gets and then he says something or accomplishes something and I fall in love all over again. He constantly amazes me with the way his mind works, his tenderness towards me and his father, and countless other everyday actions. I can’t imagine my life without him and I can’t even fathom it getting any better than it is right now. Happy birthday, Pumpkinhead.
