One Year

On this day, at 4:37 a.m., Mason Tian Lam was born. 

He weighed (officially) 8 lbs. 4 ounces.  He was 20 inches long. 

He was determined to come on his own terms.  And he did just that.  After only 3 and a half hours of labor, he was born and our lives changed forever.  We became parents. 

Parents. 

When you become a parent, it's as if your whole being is transformed.  And you don't really get it or understand it until it happens.  You love in a way that you didn't think was possible.  A love for another person that goes all the way to your core and beyond.  You can prepare all you want mentally, physically, emotionally for that special day, but until that little person is born, I never knew what it would be like.
This day is as much about Mason turning One as it is about Woei and I surviving this first monumental year.  We're so proud of our little guy. He means the world to us and we could not imagine our lives without him.  Not only do we have such a profound love for him, but we love each other more than we ever thought we could.  We became a family on this day.

Last night, we decided to celebrate this time last year.  The night before I was scheduled for my induction (which was on 9/23 at 6:30 a.m.), Woei and I decided to go eat at Sweet Tomato (we figured some light fare would be a good idea because who knew what labor would bring).  I remember sitting there and saying to Woei that it would be the last time we would eat as just us - just a couple.  Because in about 12 hours, we were going to have our baby and we would forever, then, be parents.  It was bittersweet in a way.  Undoubtedly, I was ready to have Mason.  Not only to see him and hold him, but because I was GINORMIS! But, it would never be just Woei and I ever again.  It was the close of a very special chapter in our relationship.  And that night at Sweet Tomato, as we prepared ourselves for what we were about to embark upon, I reflected and cherished that moment. 

So, in honor of this first year, we went out to dinner last night.  The night before Mason's birthday.  To Sweet Tomato.  Except, this time, Mason sat next to us at the table feasting on his peas and mac n' cheese, as opposed to be all squished and cozy in my tummy.  We came full circle.

As I said, this is as much about honoring our little one's birthday as it is celebrating us becoming a family.  I'll never forget this time of year and all that it entailed.  It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Happy Birthday honeybear! We love you to the moon...and back.