When I think about the month of May I think about the start to summer, my favorite time of year. All of the beautiful flowers are in full bloom, it’s time to break out the shorts, and it’s perfect weather to work on a golden tan. There is nothing like summer cookouts with family and friends, the smell of fresh cut grass, swimming in the pool, eating watermelon and homemade ice cream, and taking beach vacations. While all of these things are great and fun, to me the month of May is more, for several old and new reasons. I will start with the new:
1.) My sweet first born son, Thomas Alexander Lambert V, was born on May 22, 2014, by far one of the best days of my life. My water broke at 34 weeks so it was most definitely a very scary seven hours leading up to Thomas’ birth. As you can imagine, many thoughts were running through my head from knowing Thomas would have to go straight to the NICU, to we weren’t ready (we didn’t have one thing packed), to the scariest thought of all, “Will my baby even make it?” But even in the midst of our fears, we were reminded that God was in control. Buddy immediately called the Women’s and Children’s Center and we learned that my doctor was on call, which was a HUGE blessing. When we arrived at the hospital, we were placed with the perfect nurse who helped calm my anxious nerves. I progressed very quickly so I only experienced a few tough contractions before receiving the best medicine… an epidural, which couldn’t have gone better. Our families, close friends and pastor made it just in time for a quick prayer before everyone had to clear the room to get ready for the grand entrance of our precious son. God placed the perfect encouraging nurses in the room during “Go Time!” I will never forget when Buddy starting crying and that made me start crying and then my doctor started crying. We laugh about it now, but in the moment of the birth of your first child, it’s an indescribable feeling. My doctor had already warned us that Buddy probably wouldn’t be able to cut the cord because with Thomas being so premature we didn’t know how well his lungs would be developed. But to our surprise, he was born crying with great lungs and Buddy was able to cut the cord, an exciting and proud moment for new daddy! My favorite memory that will forever be etched in my mind and heart was when Thomas was placed in my arms for the first time; it was love at first sight. He had the perfect red lips I couldn’t wait to kiss. I only had a brief couple of minutes with Thomas before he was rushed to the NICU, but those sweet moments and memories of holding him close, kissing him and taking our first family photo, will never be forgotten.
May 22, 2014, will never be the same. A lot has happened since that date and our hearts have been completely broken. We’ve been down a road no parent ever wants to travel and begs God to protect them from. To read more about Thomas and our six and a half month journey with him, please CLICK HERE. We will celebrate Thomas’ life forever. You can read about how we celebrated his first birthday by clicking here.
1.) My sweet first born son, Thomas Alexander Lambert V, was born on May 22, 2014, by far one of the best days of my life. My water broke at 34 weeks so it was most definitely a very scary seven hours leading up to Thomas’ birth. As you can imagine, many thoughts were running through my head from knowing Thomas would have to go straight to the NICU, to we weren’t ready (we didn’t have one thing packed), to the scariest thought of all, “Will my baby even make it?” But even in the midst of our fears, we were reminded that God was in control. Buddy immediately called the Women’s and Children’s Center and we learned that my doctor was on call, which was a HUGE blessing. When we arrived at the hospital, we were placed with the perfect nurse who helped calm my anxious nerves. I progressed very quickly so I only experienced a few tough contractions before receiving the best medicine… an epidural, which couldn’t have gone better. Our families, close friends and pastor made it just in time for a quick prayer before everyone had to clear the room to get ready for the grand entrance of our precious son. God placed the perfect encouraging nurses in the room during “Go Time!” I will never forget when Buddy starting crying and that made me start crying and then my doctor started crying. We laugh about it now, but in the moment of the birth of your first child, it’s an indescribable feeling. My doctor had already warned us that Buddy probably wouldn’t be able to cut the cord because with Thomas being so premature we didn’t know how well his lungs would be developed. But to our surprise, he was born crying with great lungs and Buddy was able to cut the cord, an exciting and proud moment for new daddy! My favorite memory that will forever be etched in my mind and heart was when Thomas was placed in my arms for the first time; it was love at first sight. He had the perfect red lips I couldn’t wait to kiss. I only had a brief couple of minutes with Thomas before he was rushed to the NICU, but those sweet moments and memories of holding him close, kissing him and taking our first family photo, will never be forgotten.
May 22, 2014, will never be the same. A lot has happened since that date and our hearts have been completely broken. We’ve been down a road no parent ever wants to travel and begs God to protect them from. To read more about Thomas and our six and a half month journey with him, please CLICK HERE. We will celebrate Thomas’ life forever. You can read about how we celebrated his first birthday by clicking here.
2.) May is Ichthyosis Awareness Month. Thomas was born with ichthyosis; and interestingly, during the month devoted to awareness for it. I spent the month of May trying my best to educate people about this rare skin condition that ultimately took Thomas’ life. When we found out Thomas had ichthyosis, about two hours after he was born, Buddy and I had never even heard of it; most people haven’t. Now we are committed to spending the rest of our lives educating people and raising awareness. We hope to plan a 5K run in the near future to help raise awareness for something that is very dear to our hearts now. To learn more about ichthyosis, please CLICK HERE.
Previous reasons the month of May is special to me include:
3.) Mother’s Day is during the month of May. I have always enjoyed celebrating my mother. I can’t even begin to describe how much I love her and need her in my life. I go to my mom about everything and I always have. She would do anything for me and my siblings. She has always given up herself for us and is one of the most selfless people I know. I thank God for blessing me with the perfect mom for me!
Growing up, I always desired to be a mommy. I couldn’t wait to show my child the love my mom always showed me. God blessed me with the joy and honor to take care of Thomas for a few short months. I can’t even begin to describe how much I LOVED taking care of Thomas and I would still be caring for him 24/7 if he were still here. He made me the happiest and proudest mommy. When Thomas was born, I gave up myself and was able to give him my heart, my everything. I look forward to the day I can hold him for all of eternity. I thank God for choosing me to be Thomas’ mommy. I had to do the hardest thing in the world and give Thomas back to God, but I couldn’t be more grateful for the time I did have with him here on Earth. He made me a mommy and I will always be his mommy. Mother’s Day will be a very hard day for me for the rest of my life because he’s not here with me, but he’s the reason I get to celebrate Mother’s Day. He will live in my heart forever.
Previous reasons the month of May is special to me include:
3.) Mother’s Day is during the month of May. I have always enjoyed celebrating my mother. I can’t even begin to describe how much I love her and need her in my life. I go to my mom about everything and I always have. She would do anything for me and my siblings. She has always given up herself for us and is one of the most selfless people I know. I thank God for blessing me with the perfect mom for me!
Growing up, I always desired to be a mommy. I couldn’t wait to show my child the love my mom always showed me. God blessed me with the joy and honor to take care of Thomas for a few short months. I can’t even begin to describe how much I LOVED taking care of Thomas and I would still be caring for him 24/7 if he were still here. He made me the happiest and proudest mommy. When Thomas was born, I gave up myself and was able to give him my heart, my everything. I look forward to the day I can hold him for all of eternity. I thank God for choosing me to be Thomas’ mommy. I had to do the hardest thing in the world and give Thomas back to God, but I couldn’t be more grateful for the time I did have with him here on Earth. He made me a mommy and I will always be his mommy. Mother’s Day will be a very hard day for me for the rest of my life because he’s not here with me, but he’s the reason I get to celebrate Mother’s Day. He will live in my heart forever.
4.) My mother’s birthday is May 13. I get to celebrate my precious mother twice during the month of May. My mom and Thomas share the same birth month. She was a wonderful grandmother to Thomas and he will always hold a special place in her heart. He loved her and enjoyed being held by her; he rested very peacefully in her arms. Thomas changed my mom’s life. I’m thankful for the time she had with him and I know she is too. It is special to me that I have the privilege of celebrating my son and my mother during the same month.
5.) Our sweet Sullivan’s birthday is May 18. Sullivan is a very special young girl to Buddy and me. She is the reason we knew we were ready to have a baby. After we visited her in the hospital, we fell in love. We couldn’t stop talking about her and couldn’t wait to see her again. Thomas decided he wanted to share a birthday with Sullivan! Sweet Sulli loved Thomas and couldn’t wait for his arrival. She helped her mommy with Thomas’ baby tea. I’m very thankful for Sullivan and her sweet family.
The month of May will always be difficult because Thomas is not here to celebrate with us physically. However, I will always treasure his birth and the six and a half months God blessed me with him, that he made me the happiest mommy, the joy he brought my mother, and that if it hadn’t have been for Sullivan he may not have even made it into our lives. These are the reasons the month of May is special to me.