My favorite New Year's Eve meal was in 1996.
December 31, 1996--when a plastic cafeteria tray of room temperature filet mignon was placed on my lap, while I lay propped up against crunchy pillows, bare breasted, in a fetching grey checked hospital gown, celebrating New Year's Eve just hours after giving birth to a beautiful 8 lb. 10 oz. baby boy.
I've had three children, and I've had no more thrilling surprise in my life than finally seeing what your child looks like after waiting nine months. The ultrasounds hint at features, but the 3D real life presentation of their little faces has always left me without any flowery speech, and reduced me to the most basic of sentiments. When the nurses first showed me Xavier, I could only trace his tiny little mouth with my finger, and eke out, "you look just like your dad."
Happy Birthday, Xavier--you were my best New Year's ever. Your dad wanted to high five you for just squeaking in as a tax deduction for the year; I breathed a sigh of relief that after 5 1/2 months of bed rest we had made it--I was ecstatic to finally hold you.
No meal has since come close, no restaurant atmosphere has even touched on the magic of that New Year's Eve, 16 years ago today, when I first saw you.
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| Xavier, one minute old. (you can't see his tiny little mouth) |
Happy Birthday, wonderful son. I love you very, very much, you awesome kid.
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Happy Birthday, Xavier!
ReplyDeleteHappy 16th Birthday, Xavier!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, my friend. xo
Happy Birthday to your son, what a great way to spend New Year's Eve.
ReplyDeleteHe shares a birthday with Awesome Stepkid Ro! Happy birthday to him and happy New Year to you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Birthday Xavier!!! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThat New Year's Eve would be hard to top. Happy Birthday to your boy, and Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to your little one...well not so little any more....a little end of year excitement...and just think a huge celebration every year for your birthday...ha
ReplyDeleteWow Alexanadra - would you believe that my favorite New Year's Eve was the same scenario? My now thirteen year old was born on the 30th as the world ushered in a new millenium. We, too, had filet mignon and my husband smuggled in a bottle of champagne and two cheesy champagne glasses whose stems were in the shape of "2000". The nurse was all Sgt. Shultz about it "I see no-THING!". We watched the ball drop around the world, had a nice meal, drank a toast and enjoyed a lovely room overlooking the river of Red Bank, NJ. But best of all, I had our newest little family member in my arms. I always tell people that it was the best New Year's Eve ever - complete with babysitting! Happy Birthday to Xavier and Happy New Year to you and your family! xxxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Xavier! What a wonderful way to ring in the New Year:)
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for the birthday wishes for Xavier. Those that know me, know of my phenomenal son. He is one in a million, and has blessed me in ways it would take days to tell you. I adore him.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so very much, and a blessed, peaceful New Year to you.
Awww!!! Happy birthday! I'm 9 months pregnant and would LOVE to have a NYE baby myself, but I think she's going to stay put in there until 2013... Boo!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. My niece was born today, too. My SIL tried to keep her in, but no go. She wanted out. I think it is fabulous that your X, wanted out. Like his momma. He said, get me out of this darkness and show me the light. Yes, he did.
ReplyDeleteYou're too wonderful, Renee. You really are.
Deletexo
brought tears to my eyes,..i remember his little fuzzy, good smellin' head on my shoulder...
ReplyDeletelove you!
-a.
So sweet! I was in the hospital on Christmas years ago for the same reason... Makes a holiday all the more memorable!
ReplyDeleteYou have a Xmas baby????
DeleteI think you had the best New Year's eve of all!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. Happy birthday, you lucky boy.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm crying. So true. Happy birthday to Xavier.
ReplyDeleteI remember feeling such a shock of recognition the first time I looked into my new son's face. He was exactly who I knew he would be.
ReplyDeleteA very Happy Birthday to your son, and a Happy New Year to you.
Ah, that must be some feeling. For me, I was always so floored with the combination of features I'd never be able to design. Never.
Deletexo
happy new year to you, dear one.
what a happy birthday, i bet you always let him stay up late on new year's eve!
ReplyDeleteMy worry is this, he can go up to anyone now on NYE and say "It's my birthday, give me a kiss" and it'll work.
Deletexo
Wow, you look beautiful, Alexandra! I never looked that good after giving birth; you must have been a trooper. Happy birthday and New Year's to your son!
ReplyDeleteI remember the meal I had after my third child, my youngest girl. IT was a fruit and cheese platter, and I swear I have never had a more delicious or appropriate meal in my life!
Thank you, Hillary. It was a looooong story. Short of it: pre term labor, Dr had said 50/50 we'd make it all the way and we had MADE IT. Delivered at 34 wks, and there has never been a sweeter day in my life. Really.
DeleteYou're so beautiful as a new mommy! And I'm totally cracking up about the tax thing. I was thinking about both that and schooling when Young Knight was born (induced at 41 weeks) on Jan 6th. I might very well have had a new year's baby too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennie. Long story, 5 1/2 mos of bed rest, I could not believe that we made it to a healthy 34 wks. SO VERY VERY sigh of relief when he was born--we had made it, despite the pre term labor at 17 wks, surgery required to close cervix and keep Xavier in WE HAD MADE IT. I remember that part every birthday. The dr had told us 50/50 to make it full term. And 34 wks felt pretty good.
DeleteSo sweet! What a beautiful new year memory. We found out we were pregnant with our son on NYE - there is something magical about that day. xo
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to your darling Xavier (I'm sorry I read this over the holidays on my phone but didn't have a chance to write until now)! I love the sweetness of this post, and your photo. Sixteen years...!! I swallowed away tears reading this. I wish we could bottle those moments!
ReplyDeleteMay Xavier have a magical year!
Awwww, I love this :) What a wonderful way to ring in the new year. Happiest of birthdays to your handsome boy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, HOT MOMMA! No way did you JUST give birth in this picture. You look so relaxed, zen, beautiful... You're glowing :)
Beautiful...so wonderfully beautiful!
ReplyDelete