Reid Carter Norton

Five years ago today our little caboose completed our family of 6.

His little life was unplanned and completely unexpected. In fact, there were a few people who weren't very happy about the fact that I was pregnant... again. For the third time in less than three years. And one may have even been a little rude when I told her the news. - I'm looking at you, Martha. ;) But that was strictly out of concern for me. Once the shock wore off everyone was excited about our new addition.

My three previous pregnancies were so easy. Textbook. His was anything but. At one point we even thought we lost him. I'll never forget being in the ER with my mom that night. The nurse came in to do an ultrasound, and at first we weren't able to see the little flicker of his heartbeat. We both sat silently, sinking into our seats while the nurse (who had a look of concern on her face but wouldn't say anything) scanned my belly for what seemed like an eternity. On the way home we both talked and admitted thinking the same thing... This is what it's like to find out you lost your baby. Thankfully that beautiful heartbeat appeared. I'm quite sure at that moment there were audible sighs of relief.

Because of this and because I would need to be closely monitored I made the decision to change to a doctor in Montgomery. It was such a hard decision as I had used Dr. Gray since my pregnancy with Bethany. He was all I had ever known, and he delivered Bethany, Grant and Mac. I couldn't fathom anyone else delivering our last baby. However, my labors are fairly quick (Mac's was 3 hours from induction to delivery) and we were worried that Reid would come even quicker. Not to mention the drive to Birmingham for routine appointments were tough enough without the additional monitoring. After a few recommendations from friends and much prayer, Dr. Kouri entered the picture. He's a saint. I don't have enough great things to say about that man.

Our first visit with Dr. Kouri included our gender ultrasound.

It was a bit early (they like for you to be 20 weeks) but since it was the first visit and close enough, they decided to go ahead with it. It was then they discovered some things that made them question Reid's health. A few trips to UAB (ironic, huh? more trips to Birmingham) revealed his health was fine but that mine could possibly be at risk. Not only that, Chris and I both worried ourselves sick that Reid would have special needs of some kind. Even with all of the high-tech ultrasounds and tests that were run, all of which showed Reid was seemingly healthy, we just had a feeling. It was like everywhere we turned we would see a child with special needs - like God was preparing us for what was to come. We had accepted it in a sense.

We were just ready for him to get here. It was a long pregnancy.

So on February 19, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. after an easy labor - thankfully all of mine were -  when Turbo made his entrance into the world weighing 7 lb. 9 oz (the smallest of my boys), 20 inches long, we were praising the good Lord for our healthy baby boy. And knew without a doubt he would be our last.

The first thing Chris and I both noticed were his overlapping toes.

Our pediatrician assured us that everything was fine - that he didn't anticipate any problems with his walking. He was right.

Bless his little footprints. :)

His little piddies are still that way.

I love those little jacked up toes. :)

A few things about him at this age:

He is hilarious - without meaning to be. He's loving, especially to me. He's a momma's boy. Stubborn. Strong-willed. He has a short fuse. He is jealous if he thinks I'm giving one of his siblings more attention than I'm giving him. He loves music. LOVES it. He likes to listen to music with headphones which I love because he thinks since we can't hear the music we can't hear him singing either. hehee He is a meat lover - steak, bacon, sausage, ham, chicken, deer meat - pretty much any meat. He still loves his blankie. He has one corner of the blanket he calls his "softy thing" which has to be in his right hand when I tuck him in. If I don't put the softy thing on the right side he calls me back in his room to fix it saying, "You forgot the softy thang," in all his southern-ness. He still says "trang" for train, and I can't bring myself to correct him. He loves sweet tea although he doesn't eat many sweets. Except Oreos. He'll tear into some Oreos. When we talk about church or Jesus he'll stop and say, "Momma, I really love Jesus." Aside from Bethany I think he may be my most soft-hearted. While watching The Lion King for the first time over Christmas break he ran up to me and said, "Momma, this is so sad. Simba's dad is DEAD. It made a tear come in my eye." :) He loves to help, and he's always the first one there when I call on the boys for help. Whether it's helping Chris bring the groceries in from the car, helping me put them up, or helping me with laundry or dishes he just likes to help. Especially in the kitchen. He wants to be a "shelf" a/k/a chef when he grows up (post on that soon). He's the baby and he doesn't mind being called it. In fact, he takes full advantage of it.

A few stats:
*Weight: 35 lbs.
*Jeans size:  4 - adjustable waist pulled in all the way
*Shirt size: 5
*Shoe size: 10. He has teeny feet.

I love you, Turbo. I cannot for a second imagine our family without you in it. We're so thankful for and blessed by your sweet life.

Happy Birthday!