No longer a teenager! What’s that about? Since this is Shaun’s Golden Birthday, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane.
When I was pregnant with Shaun, I was working downtown. It was always quite humorous to see “the suits” put up their papers on the train, so they couldn’t see the pregnant woman and have to give up their seat. Whatever, guys. It was always a woman who would give you their seat. After all, the Wall Street Journal requires being read when sitting. Anyway, I always knew Shaun would be Shaun. His plaque was already hanging in his room. Thank goodness I was correct; otherwise we would have had a “Shaunina” running around. Just kidding, I wouldn’t do this to a child.
I was a few weeks early and quite upset that I didn’t get to finish Lamaze class. After all, you got free gifts when you went AND free juice and cookies! Shaun decided to come into the world, or should I say he knocked on my uterus, during Oprah. I admit, I didn’t want to go to the hospital. Come ON! Oprah is on! However, after calling the doctor, he said to head over to the hospital. I was hooked up to all the various machines and thought to myself, “Hey, this labor thing isn’t too bad.” Since I missed the rest of Lamaze, I am sure I missed the part that said, “WHEN YOUR WATER BREAKS, WATCH OUT!” As you can guess, they had to break my water. Talk about an angry uterus! And by the way, OUCH!
If there can be a “best part of labor” I always throw this in because it is my favorite. You know how you have your coaches? Well, my mom was in the room with me trying to get me through this pain. All I remember is my mom quietly hissing in my ear, “ss, ss, who, ss, ss, who.” I probably rolled my eyes and was thinking to myself, “WHY IS MY MOTHER HISSING AT ME? IS SHE PART SNAKE TODAY? PLEASE STOP! YOU ARE NOT HELPING MY PAIN, YOU ARE MAKING ME ANGRY!” Fast forward to delivery. Shaun was an easy birth and came out with a couple pushes. Thank goodness. I think Shaun heard his grandma hissing and was in a hurry to see what this woman looked like AND if she was part cobra.
Shaun and I enjoyed quite a few cries together those first few months. While looking at each other, I would say to him, or should I say cry at him, “I FED YOU, I CHANGED YOU, I BURPED YOU, WHAT DO YOU WANT???” I knew what I wanted…a drink!
There is nothing like having the flu and having your toddler tell you he is going to call Nickelodeon’s Big Help and donate. Shaun didn’t care that my head was in the toilet. He came running in the bathroom, saw me spewing like Reagan in the Exorcist, and continued to tell me he was going to call. Whoever doesn’t think staying at home with your child is NOT hard work needs to try it. Moms can’t be sick. Thank goodness I was able to crawl from the bathroom and get the phone away from Shaun. Who KNOWS how much he would have donated.
The years with Shaun have flown by. Like it or not, I was there for him all during his elementary years being part of the PTO and as a room parent. I think he was okay having me there with him, even though he may not admit to it. There were two LOUD MOUTHS in the building at the time. Yes, I said two. Those of you, who have had the pleasure of knowing me and Shaun, and especially Shaun during his elementary school days, know he was also a loud mouth and NEVER QUIET. Shocking now when you see Shaun. He almost didn’t go on the 6th grade field trip due to all his yapping.
The creative mind, which is what Shaun has, is truly amazing. Shaun has smarts, art, and music talent. I heard all through his elementary school years that while Shaun was happily doodling, a teacher would call on him ON PURPOSE. What made them mad was he would know the answer. How lucky is that? I can’t even go to the bathroom unless there is total silence, otherwise I get distracted and don’t know what I am doing. I love this story from his 4th grade teacher. The teacher was going around helping other students with science. Shaun was, of course, drawing. She looked at Shaun and said to him, “If you want to draw, go in the hall!” Well, any “normal” kid, including me would know that if a teacher is saying this to you, she means STOP what you are doing. Not Shaun. He packed up his stuff, and went in the hall to draw. The teacher had told me she was in shock and didn’t know what to think. I have kept all notes from his teachers because it is quite funny to look back. His 1st grade teacher loved to catch him in the act in the bathroom. Not the actual catch him in the act peeing, but catch him in the act bouncing off walls, urinals, etc. Shaun would always say to me, “I don’t like that you are friends with all the teachers because you take their side!” My response? “Shaun, are you supposed to be jumping on the urinals? Are you supposed to be playing Spiderman in the bathroom? You BET YOUR BUTT I side with the teachers because you shouldn’t be doing those things.” Oh what a terrible mama I am.
If we have to do an “I’ll admit” as you see on Facebook…I’ll admit Shaun’s high school years were very trying. When he decided to buy a tattoo gun (shock enough) then tattooing 666 on his fingers. I probably turned every shade of red possible. I looked at Shaun and yelled, “YOU ARE NOT SATAN’S CHILD YOU ARE MY CHILD!” Shaun tried to stop me from leaving, but I told him his best bet would be to get out of my way before I push him down the stairs. Needless to say, by the time I got back, he had tattooed over the numbers. High school was tough for Shaun. Losing his best friend Brandon, was one of the toughest things ever, followed by the death of his grandfather. Quite a lot to digest in the matter of a month. I am happy to say that even though his friend Brandon is no longer here, Shaun remains best friends with Brandon’s brother Sean, whom I consider my son as well. I can’t not mention Russell, Kyle, and Colton. They continue to see Shaun frequently, and Russell is just as crazy and loud as me, so Shaun really enjoys when we visit together.
A good friend had told me to enjoy the voluntary hugs you get and that one day you will wake up and they will stop. It was true. By the time 4th grade came around, there were no voluntary good night hugs. However, Shaun at least continued to say “good night.” It is exciting and scary watching your child grow up. Even through all the “bad times” in high school, Shaun graduated with an Honors Diploma and he also graduated early. I am proud Shaun has found his niche at Columbia College and also wants to go to summer school. I love the person he is becoming and am excited to see what his future holds.
This is my birthday tribute to Shaun. Even though I don’t miss the “I wonder when he will be home?” I do miss the, I wonder when he will be home? Happy 20th birthday, Shaun! I love you lots!
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