Here we are, mid-January already. After the holidays, life slows down a bit, and you get to breathe. Well, at least for a week or so. You know what mid-January is for us? Birthday bliss! My stepdad, Mark Metzger’s birthday is first, then my gram, Lois Liddick, then my daughter, Kenzy, and finally my husband on the 17th. I also have an aunt and uncle with birthdays at the end of January. I think it’s the busiest month out of the year for birthdays.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, her due date was on my gram’s birthday. Lois, my gram, thought this was just the best thing ever. A new great grandbaby that could possibly be born on her birthday! As soon as she found this out, she had a bond with her. She would rub my belly and tell her to come on G.G.’s birthday, but then would whisper to me, “Well, maybe she will want her own birthday, and that’s OK!”
Mid-December in 2013, I swore she was going to be born early. I was so uncomfortable and thought it would be any day now. Plus, my son was three days late and was a bigger baby, and they ‘measured’ her saying she was a bigger baby and didn’t want her to come late. Well, New Year’s came, and it came closer to her due date. Me, feeling miserable, was ready for her to come into the world.
Monday, January 6th, I went in for a checkup. They said they wanted to get me a bed and get the ball rolling. I said, “Sounds amazing. Let’s do this!” A few minutes later, the nurse came in and said, “I’m sorry, honey, there are no beds available in labor and delivery, so we will send you home for now and have you come back Wednesday.” Seriously people? Why are y’all having babies in January? (This is what I was thinking because I was so uncomfortable.)
Wednesday, January 8th, my mom and I went to the hospital that morning. My husband went to work because I told him to. With our son, it took twenty-eight hours to have him. I told Chris to go to work, and when the ball got rolling, I would call him, promising him that he wouldn’t miss anything. I knew how it would go and wanted him to save his days at home with the baby and me and not sitting around in a hospital for hours on end. Needless to say, Wednesday was a no-go. Kenzy was saying, “not today!”
I went back home, and we were prepared to go back the next day to try again. Thursday, January 9th came. Gram’s birthday! Today had to be the day; I could feel it. I laid in bed with my momma right by my side. There was a knock at the door. “Yoo-hoo! It’s G.G! Do we have a baby yet!?” as my gram’s head popped in the door. She was just so excited for her arrival, and we had told everyone her name was going to be Kenzy Mae. Mae was after my gram, Lois Mae Lockcuff. We knew when she had G.G.’s birthday as a due date; we had to give Kenzy her name. I had told the nurses the story about her due date and why having her that day was so important!
Hours later — guess what? I was sent home — again! I wanted to bawl.
Every day that week, I had my heart set on meeting my sweet little girl, and every day was a letdown. Then, to not have her on my gram’s birthday was such a bummer. Gram said, “She wants to be the day after my birthday and have her own day! We will still be birthday buddies.”
Friday, January 10th came, and Mom and I headed to the hospital again. See a pattern here? And why my husband, at this point, is still going to work each day?? He would have had three days off at this point and no baby.
Finally, at 11 a.m., the induction worked! A little after midnight on January 11th, Kenzy Mae was born at 8 lbs., 1 oz. She wasn’t big at all, and when we left the hospital, she was 7 lbs., 4 oz. So, I needed to go shopping because I had nothing small enough to fit her after thinking she would be big like her brother.
We all laughed that she came a little after midnight because she really wanted her own birthday time, haha!
But you know the greatest part? Both of my kids were three days late, and I was in labor with both kids on a Friday. (So, my hubby had the weekend, then paid days off that following week!)
Kenzy was born exactly a week before her daddy’s birthday, and Tyler was born a week before my birthday. How funny is that? Both three days late from the due date and exactly a week apart from my husband and I’s birthdays. Kinda neat, and God definitely knew what he was doing.
At Kenzy’s first “WinterONEderland” birthday party we also celebrated G.G.’s 75th birthday! We had the whole family over to celebrate. Gram and Kenzy always had a special bond, and I am so grateful for the sweet story it gives Kenz to tell throughout her life.
Here’s to wishing my loveable stepdad Mark Metzger, amazing grandmother Lois Mae Liddick, beautiful daughter Kenzy Mae McElroy, stud of a husband Chris McElroy, my loving Aunt, Sylvia Shumbat, and sweet Uncle Dave Shirn a wonderful birthday this month!
Happy Birthday to you all, January birthdays!
Party Punch
This punch is perfect for a birthday, bridal or baby shower or any celebration.
Just add a bottle of 7up; then add Hawaiian Punch or cranberry juice.
Scoop in rainbow sherbet ice cream.
Top with sprinkles for an extra celebration look.
It’s party time!
