9 years ago today.......

Today Luca turned 9, and I keep asking myself how that happened!

I know it is a cliché but it does truly only seem like a short time ago that we brought him home from the hospital. Today, as each year, I have been reflecting on and remembering Luca's entrance into the world . And giving thanks for the blessing that he truly is. Due to his severe asthma we have come close to losing him a few times and I always take extra time on his birthday to remember how lucky we are that we still have him with us. We do remember and give thanks every day but even more so especially on his birthday. Sweet blessings.

Luca was due on DH Armand's birthday - 24 March 2000. He is our 1st born and
we were so excited - but looking back so naive!!

We went to bed at midnight on 2nd March and I woke up a while later at 2.00 am, for one of my then frequent night trips to the bathroom. Well shortly after sitting down on the loo my waters broke - just a trickle but definitely amniotic fluid. I shouted to DH to wake up and come to the bathroom. But he just carried on snoring. Blissfully unaware that his first child was getting ready to make his entrance into the World. So I got up and with waters trickling crossed the bathroom towards the door and then suddenly whoosh water was gushing out all over the bathroom tiles. By then DH was groggily awake. I dripped my way back to sit on the loo just as DH stumbled sleepily into the bathroom and walked barefoot straight into the middle of the amniotic fluid!!!!! "Oh the floor is wet" he exclaimed. The expression on his face when I told him what he was standing in was priceless.

The water fun did not stop there though!!! Halfway to the hospital we decided to stop at a bank and get some cash from the cash machine. It was a bank where the machine was situated in a lobby and you needed to swipe your bank card to get the security door to open. For some reason DH's card would not work so I got out of the car to go and help, when once more Whoosh water was flowing all over the pavement. We had some good laughs that night and even during the following 37 hour labour and consequent C-section. Even now we try to make sure that our daily lives are full of laughter and try to find the light-side in any situation.

Earlier today we asked Fabio (4) to tell us 9 things he loved about Luca and this is what he came up with.

Things I love about Luca....by Fabio

1) I love him.

2) He lets me wear his army hat.

3) He gives good cuddles.

4) He kisses me.

5) He helps me with my writing.

6) He can fly. (? - mum).

7) He tells me about movies.

8) He does not harm me when I am eating my breakfast (mum's note - or at other mealtimes).

9) I love him.

Luca had a great today. We had a family breakfast before school whilst he opened his cards and presents. He was really pleased to get Anne Frank's Diary on both DVD and the book. Luca is passionate about WW1 and WW2 history so whilst those may not be most 9 year old boys idea of a cool present he loves them. On Tuesdays his school finishes at lunchtime. So I picked both boys up at school and we went to Subway for lunch and then onto the cinema to see Bolt in 3D. There were only about 6 people in the whole place! Luca had asked to have a campfire for his birthday so once we got home DH lit a fire in the backyard and we roasted marshmallows. Then whilst the 3 boys stayed out there I made a pile of Buttermilk and Apple pancakes, which the boys demolished topped with Maple Syrup! Mmmm. It was a day of simple pleasures but Luca declared it "his best birthday ever".