HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON!!!!

Exactly 17 years ago today, I had our first son - we named him Aaron which means Bearer of Light. I pray every day that he will be a light to this dark world. He was born at 8:22 p.m. and weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces. Out of all my births, he was the most painful. We didn't know whether he was a boy or a girl. We really felt like he was going to be a girl. I knew Randy wanted a son so bad so probably was convincing himself it was a girl so he wouldn't be a little disappointed. As for me....I wanted a girl. I wanted a house full of girls and no nasty, dirty little boy who likes to bug his sisters. That's until I had a boy of my own. I can't even describe the love I have for him. If you are a parent of both a boy and a girl you will understand what I'm talking about. There is a special, different kind of bond between a mother and son - just like there is between a daddy and his daughter. I never imagined having a little boy could be so wonderful. Yes, they are dirty, nasty and like to bug their sisters. But I love every minute of it!!! I love their chubby dirty little hands and their hugs and kisses. I love watching them play ball. Now Aaron is grown and now I get to squeeze those hard muscely arms and still love those hugs and kisses (even though they aren't as much!!)

This baby inside of me was very strong. Out of all the babies, he kicked and punched the hardest. At times, it would almost take my breath away. I knew whatever this baby was, it was going to be STRONG!!! When I went to bed that night 17 years ago, the baby was kicking and punching harder than ever. I could hardly take it. My last words to Randy before I went to sleep were, "This baby is kicking so hard, it's going to break my water and my body isn't going to be ready." Sure enough in the middle of the night - BAM - one very hard kick and there goes my water. I called the hospital and they told me not to come in until I was having contractions. I waited 2 hours and still no contractions - nothing was happening. They told me to come in and they gave me Pitocin which causes you to have contractions. I was dilated to a 0 now so I was really not doing anything. I had such strong contractions it was unbelievable. They said they couldn't give me an Epidural until I was dilated to a 5. I have always had very long labors. Even baby number 7 took me 20 something hours to have her. I went all day long in excrutiating pain. They wouldn't help me. Finally that night when I was so dilirious in pain I wanted to shoot myself, they said I could have an Epidural. They paged the Anesthegeologist. He was under the hill and his pager wouldn't pick up. I begged, I pleaded, I bribed for SOMEBODY to please give me the Epidural. Nobody could give it to me but him. Oh the pain, the pain. I screamed, I cried. I finally got to a 10 and still no epidural. You could hear my screams all over the hospital. Probably all over Natchez!! The Doctor and nurses were getting mad at me and kept telling me to quit screaming - I would scare the baby. At this point, I didn't care. I was out of my mind in pain. Finally at 8:22 p.m. a precious little boy was born. He was worth every scream, every tear, and every pain. His Daddy was so happy to have a son. He is also the first to carry on the "White" name.

I have loved every minute of these 17 years with Aaron. And yes, he is still strong. Not only physically, but also strong willed. He is smart, athletic and he is mine!!

I love you Aaron and Happy Birthday!!!