Dear Jasper,

You were born on July 24^th, 2015 at 6:43 pm. You were four days late! You were 7 lbs. and 6ozs. You were 20 inches long, and you were my amazing baby boy from the very start. The day started very early in the morning, I was induced and had my water broken at 8:30 am, contractions began shortly after, and oh were they bad! I was in labor 10 hours and 13 minutes with you, I got my epidural around the 9-hour mark. The nurses do not know how I survived that long, especially with back labor, which is horrendous as I may say.

About 20 minutes went by, and I started having dips in my contractions, they did all they could to get them to stop but it was not working, so I ended up having you via C-section. I was scared, I wanted to cry, it was my first surgery and a major one at that.

The first thing I saw when they pushed you out, was your beautiful birthmark on your chest. Your Dad shed a few tears because he just could not believe how beautiful you were. It was a very happy day. Your Dad got to go back with you, he helped give you a bath and got you dressed as well. I was in recovery so I did not get to see that with my own two eyes, while in recovery I was told that I was one of the best they seen handle labor, and even commended me more so because I was only 17 years old. They could not believe how well I did with labor, they told me with my young body it would be a quick recovery, and easier to bounce back into life.

I got to hold you two hours later for the very first time, you were so tiny. You had a head full of hair, and beautiful brown eyes. You have your Dad’s nose and my lips, but my you are a spitting image of your Dad, only lighter in skin tone. We have watched you grow, and we took care of you when you are sick, you are now 1 years old, and it saddens me how the time went by so fast. You have a little sister too and my you can be a very jealous baby.

You are the happiest baby I know, even when you are sick, there is not a day that goes by where you are not smiling constantly or laughing. Even your little fits are cute, you slowly laugh on the floor look us straight in the eye, kick your feed and fake cry to see our reaction. We always keep a straight face though, but your effort did not go unnoticed! You love your Dad so much, you prefer him more than me and that is okay. You also love your Uncle Treavion when he is here, it is like you are glued to him, he is your safe haven.

We were with you for all of your shots, and you were a trooper! We were with you all the way when you had RSV, and when we had you tested for food allergies, and when they diagnosed you with asthma. We were there holding your hand, and wiping away your tears, and we will continue to do so for a very, very long time. I love you Jasper.

From the moment you started to crawl you were a fast one, then you started to walk, and then you would try to run. Slow down my little one, I want to cherish this time with you for a few moments more.

Love,

Mama