Jack is 7

He loves me. He tells me and shows me. I love him for that.

I know I've been a complete blog slacker lately, but I have to draw the line when I don't post on my beautiful boy's birthday!! Jack had his 7th birthday last week and I just have to brag a little bit about him to celebrate.

Her is the text from an email I got on Sunday from one of his Sunday school teachers:

Kara, I just wanted to let you know how ENDEARING Jack is. The combo of he and the other kids can be a bit over the top in class at times, but there is just something about Jack. Its like he has this magical power over us that we cannot get frustrated with him. He has this subtle charm about him. We can't place our fingers on what it is. Maybe its the twinkle in his eye, or that grin, or that voice. His voice just kills me. I adore it. I don't know, but he is going to be a charmer with the ladies I am sure when he is older. Maybe a class clown, with the charm in tow. You know, the class clowns that never got in trouble because they had that charm wrapped up in their clowning around. You can't learn that. You are just born with it. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I ADORE him.

Yes, I cried...and loved this person so much for writing me. It made me realize that I need to outwardly express the kind feelings I have for others more often. It seriously was the highlight of my week/month.

In keeping with my kids birthday posts this year I will document for your enjoyment (okay...my history) the birth story of my second born. Jack was born 11 days late by some estimates. They changed my due date at one point, but I think they should have left it alone. Because Ella was Early by the Dr.'s estimates (can you tell I'm wary of due dates) I was fully expecting Jack to follow suit. BOY was I wrong. I felt like I was a month overdue.

Jack at about 6 months

I went in for an appointment on my due date and was sure they would tell me I was ready. NOPE! I was sent home with assurances that they wouldn't see me the next week for my scheduled appointment, but would see me in the hospital sometime in the next few days. Wrong again. I went in the next week. Many people were wondering why I wasn't demanding to be induced, but because of the poor induction experiences of family members I didn't want to go that route.

At my 41 week appointment the Dr. scheduled me for an induction if the baby hadn't come by Monday. I was determined to have Jack before that. I knew he was going to be a big baby, but that didn't scare me. Of course the Dr.'s thought he might be as big as Ella (8 pounds 5 ounces) but not much bigger. I knew they were wrong.

Jack as Harry Potter Halloween 2002

I did everything I could to get that labor started. Really...everything (okay except for Castor oil...too risky). I even jumped on my neighbors trampoline for an hour one night. NOT pretty. My poor mother had already been in town for almost two weeks anticipating the arrival of the baby. We were living in Kentucky at the time and it was close to derby. Now, anyone who knows anything about Kentucky knows that time revolves around derby. The calendar year is the derby calendar. It just so happened that the day after my 41 week appointment was "Thunder over Louisville". It is an amazing day that kicks off the derby festival season, and finishes with the most amazing fireworks show ever.

My mom was kind enough to stay home with Ella while Paul and I braved the crowds downtown. It was crazy and I had to walk A LOT! We were climbing, pushing, shoving, and maneuvering through crowds to get to a good spot to catch the action. I must say I was moving pretty good for a 9+month prego. The fireworks were incredible and it shook my chest to the core (I love that). I swear every year we lived there at least one woman went into labor after the fireworks. On the way home I was having a lot of contractions, but that wasn't unusual. I have braxton hicks contractions constantly starting at about 6 months...it's pathetic.

Jack and his yellow rain boots. He wore these boots almost everyday for about 6 months. I'm still kicking myself for not keeping them. I know I could do something cool with them.

We got home and I tried to go to sleep, but the contractions got stronger. By about 1:30am I convinced Paul that he needed to take me to the hospital. We got up and headed downtown. I got all hooked up and they confirmed that I was dialated to a 7. I got an epidural (big regret) and it put me in a major holding pattern. I tried to get them to break my water because I knew that would do the trick. They said they couldn't do it without a Dr. present and they didn't want to call him in because it was so early in the morning. So, there I waited until the Dr. came for his normal rounds around 8:00am. By this time they wanted me to be ready to have the baby so that the Dr. wouldn't have to come back later. (Yes...it was all about him)

What happened next I now realize was crazy, and wish I woudn't have let them do it. They gave me potocin so that when the Dr. came in to check me I would be ready. The contractions were unbelievable. It was obvious to me where my epidural started because below my belly button I couldn't feel a thing, and above it was pure torture. Jack was a big baby, and I carried him very very high. When the Dr. did come in I was at an 8. Of course he broke my water and in less than a minute I was at a 10 and ready to push. At that point I was so ready to be done with the contractions that I pushed him out in about 5 minutes.

John McMillian (aka Jack) was born at a whopping 9 pounds 14 ounces. Just 2 ounces shy of the 10 pound mark. I wasn't surprised...all the medical staff was. Jack was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. The first thing I noticed was his big gorgeous lips and huge crying mouth. I wanted to kiss it forever. I think it freaked Paul out a little bit at first because they are so swollen. He still has the most amazing full red lips and I love to kiss them. The next best thing was his red hair. I love red hair and I was thrilled that Paul's genetics allowed me to give birth to one.

See those lucious lips?! And that hair...? Can you tell I'm in love?

I cannot even describe the love that I immediatley had for this boy. I had fallen completely and hopelessly in love with him. He still has my heart and I never want him to grow up. I watch him at everything he does and am amazed at how well he 'gets it.' He excels at school and sports, and he has a ton of friends. Jack is a boy to watch. We know there are great things to come with him. Like the email from his teacher said, "there's just something about Jack."

Happy Birthday buddy...I love you more than all the numbers!

I guess it's obvious...

Yes, I've been in a blogging slump lately. Actually more like a life slump. When you feel down on yourself it's hard to be inspired to write about and document your life. I'm hoping to shake it off soon. But, thanks so much to those of you who have emailed and asked how I was doing. It was surprising who took the time to do so. Don't worry, these slumps never last too long. Besides...I missed blogging about Jack's birthday, and he is just too darn special to forget. Check back.

In the meantime...my life long friend Ashley emailed this to me today. It inspired me and made me cry. I really love people. Enjoy...

A MUST BUY!!

I know I reference my amazing cousin Shawni a lot on this blog, but I just can't help it. She really is as good as she seems. I know it makes you want to hate her, but it's impossible. The more you know her the more you love her. She and her amazing Mom Linda have published a wonderful book on motherhood called A Mother's book of Secrets. The book itself is inspiring and inviting, and the pictures (taken by Shawni) are worth the price on their own.

Shawni's youngest child Lucy was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Bardet Biedl Syndrome. Among other things this syndrome means that Lucy will likely become legally blind by the time she is in her teens. This has prompted Linda and Shawni to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the book to the Foundation for Blind Children.

So, since all of you have mothers in your lives...how about giving them this treasure of a book for Mother's Day coming up. You can buy your copy here, here, and here. You won't regret it.