May 6, 1992 I became a mother for the first time at 8:44 p.m., as The Wonder Years played on the tv in the background.
Isn't it surreal how your brain remembers minutia? I remember just about everything that happened that morning. I had my first contraction at 7 a.m. and I RACED to the doctor. He told me I could go to the hospital and get hooked up, or go home and wait.
Silly man. Didn't he know I was having a BABY? Get me to the hospital, already, fool! Let's get this show on the road.
Except that, you know, I totally should have gone home. My planned "low tech, no intervention" birth became a fiasco of a saga that changed how I delivered each of the next children.
When this baby came out with bright red hair and green eyes, I had no idea how to be a mom. Still don't. I keep waiting for someone to show up and demand that I return their kid. Most of the time, I'm flying by the seat of my pants without any idea how to steer the plane.
But, somehow, despite all of the turmoil, both inner and outer - that little baby has morphed into this:
A smart ass of a great kid who has developed a real talent for camera work and tonight, ran the gauntlet in Ji-Jitsu - running down the double row of men as they beat at you with their belts. We've had some rough spots, but we've both learned that taking your time and making mistakes is the only way to get through this.
He loves cars and loves football, especially the New York Giants. He's morphing into a mean pool shark, had his heart broken, and is polite and respectful to adults - I hear it all the time. He is lead MC for the 7 a.m. Mass and has decided to join the police force.
Happy birthday, Nik. Mommy loves you.
I'd love it if you'd join me in wishing Nik a Happy 18th Birthday!
Happy Birthday Nic. Take note of each day, they go so fast. I'm serious about this! My daughter will be 21 in Oct and she tells me this all the time. So it is NOT me feeling old!
Carmen, love the post. It is so sweet. I find myself crying at odd times because I know my oldest is going to move on to the next stage in life soon. I have a just turned 3 year old and a almost 21 year old. It helps that the young babies are still young or I might lose my mind. Well, I am losing it anyway but you know how that is.
My oldest would have been a Nicholas if she would have been a boy. She is a Nicole. I loved the name. I didn't know what it meant when I named her but it is "Victory of the People". It fits her.
Ouida Gabriel
Posted by: Ouida Gabriel | May 05, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Happy 18th Birthday, Nik!
Posted by: KatieButler | May 05, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Happy Bithday Nik! My Kate has a "big crush" on you!
Posted by: MB Squared | May 05, 2010 at 11:49 PM
Wow! Happy Birthday! Any kid who does 7:00 am Mass on regular basis has to be alright :)
Posted by: amie | May 06, 2010 at 12:05 AM
Happy day Nik. I hope you have a fantastic day!
Posted by: Headless Mom | May 06, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Happy 18th Birthday, Nik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How exciting - enjoy bit of your 18th year, oh - how I remember well mine!
Happy Day to you too, Carmen on this most handsome boy's birth day!!
Posted by: elizabethk | May 06, 2010 at 12:14 AM
That photo is so hilarious! Happy Birthday to your firstborn, and happy "becoming a mom for the first time" day, to you too!
Posted by: xenia katie | May 06, 2010 at 12:28 AM
Happy Birthday, Nik!
Posted by: Annika | May 06, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Happy Birthday to Nik. From what I have read I think you are doing an excellent job being a mom!
Posted by: Debby Pucci | May 06, 2010 at 03:23 AM
HAppy Birthday Nik, have a good one!!
Posted by: J from Ireland | May 06, 2010 at 04:24 AM
Happy Birthday Nik!! Now go get a good job and let your mama put her feet up!
Posted by: Denise | May 06, 2010 at 07:06 AM
Happy Birthday Nik!
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 06, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Happy Birthday Nik! 18 -- that's a big one!
Posted by: LisaK | May 06, 2010 at 08:15 AM
Happy birthday, Nik!
Posted by: Karen | May 06, 2010 at 09:03 AM
Happy birthday, Nik! Carmen, you have every reason to be proud - from what I've read in your blog he seems like a great young man (boy that makes me sound OLD!).
Posted by: Lauren | May 06, 2010 at 09:08 AM
Happy Birthday Nik!!!
Posted by: Jenn E | May 06, 2010 at 09:20 AM
when my DD haley turned 18 we made her a cake and wrote GET OUT on top. I love that kid. it totally made her day!
Posted by: mary | May 06, 2010 at 09:27 AM
I cannot believe he is 18. I still remember photos of a sweet little boy on OHM way too many years ago.
What a handsome young man he has become with the world wide open in front of him.
Happy birthday Nik. Great job Mom! :)
Posted by: leftofordinary | May 06, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Happy Birthday Nik. Hope you have a great day and a great year.
Posted by: Maggie | May 06, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Where does time go? Happy Birthday Nik!
Posted by: Gerrie Gould | May 06, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Happy Birthday Nik! and Happy Birthing Day you hot mama you!
Posted by: Amy | May 06, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Happy birthday Nik!
And Carmen, did you have him when you were twelve? Because there is no way you have an 18 yr old!
Posted by: Kait | May 06, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Happy 18th Birthday Nik!!!!
Carmen, happy 18th anniversary of becoming a Mommy. You are a fantastic one.
Posted by: Wendy E | May 06, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Happy Birthday to Nikolas. I miss you more than you can ever know. What a fine young man you have become. A police officer, huh? I have friends on the force if you want to talk to anyone...mentoring and the like. Mazel Tov to you as you enter adulthood. I'm so proud of you (and your mother!)
Posted by: Angela | May 06, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Happy 18th Birthday Nik!
Posted by: mm | May 06, 2010 at 01:03 PM