Orion turns 2

 There are events in our life that are so profound, its effects are life altering. I am seldom surprised at these moments and rarely do I think, "I didn't see that coming." On occasion, the opposite is true, yet in the wake of one of these life altering events, I can look back and realize that there was no other alternative, and some things were just meant to be.
  Rewind 32 months; Wednesday, December 1st, 10:00am. Just another day in the office. I was most likely entering data into spreadsheets, looking through blue prints, and searching for product pricing. I received a phone call from Melanie. Her voice was slightly urgent, obviously irritated, and demanding. "You need to look at a calendar, and figure out a time to take me camping to the coast because I am really craving mussels and you haven't taken me to get mussels in a long time (it had been exactly 5 weeks at that point). I want to go in the next week or two, so make arrangements and call me back, so I know when we are going." she demanded.

  Now, as absurd as this might sound to someone that does not know Melanie, this sounded like the typical Melanie to me; irritated that I did not plan a trip already with out her having to ask. I did what I always do in these situations and laughed at her. "Seriously? You never call me at work, and when you do, you call to bitch about the fact that I haven't taken you to the coast in the RV to get mussels in five, maybe six weeks. Craving mussels," I chuckle,"...are you pregnant or something?" I replied sarcastically and facetiously.
  There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. My comment certainly caught Melanie off guard and I am sure that she was counting in her head in that moment of silence, "I don't think so," she replied in a somewhat subdued manner. I teased her a bit more, laughed at her, and then said "goodbye", hung up the phone and went back to work. I never thought for a moment that she could be pregnant and shrugged the whole thing off and did not think about it again that day.

  That evening, after dinner, I was sitting at the dining room table reading a magazine. I heard Melanie come down the hall, walk into the kitchen and rummage around for a bit. I heard glasses clinking and a cupboard shut. Melanie entered the room, but I did not look up. She walked over to me, set down a bottle of what amounts to cooking sherry, and a small glass. (the irony is that we don't drink, not in several years anyways). Confused, I look up. My eyes meet her tear filled eyes and she says, "I thought you might need this," as she slides the bottle towards me, and then pulls out a small plastic home pregnancy stick, with a clear "+" on it. "Congratulations, were pregnant."
  Panic, then fear, then excitement coursed through my body. These three emotions raced around inside of me in a repeating pattern until they all blended into one. I smiled, pushed away the bottle, stood up and embraced my sweet wife. I think we both laughed and cried simultaneously. This was a true, "I didn't see that coming" moment for me. You see, we were done after Apollo and made all these plans of the things we were going to do with him once the older boys moved on and it was just the three of us. I don't think I slept that night. I know that Melanie and I laid in bed talking about it for hours. Our lives were just thrown off course. I think after the initial shock, we were both super excited, yet cautious. Melanie would be barely five weeks pregnant at that point, and we didn't want to get too excited until we knew the pregnancy would last. In fact, we spent Christmas in Southern California with my family that year, and did not tell anyone until after the fact. At one point between Christmas and New Years, Melanie even thought she might be miscarrying. We both were so very disappointed. I still remember the comment Melanie made to me like it was yesterday; "You shouldn't be allowed to get so excited about having a baby growing inside you, and then have to lose it." It cut me to the core. Even though we had not planned on having another child, we wanted him so badly. In the next day or so, we visited the OBGYN and confirmed that she was indeed still very pregnant and doing very well.

 Now when I look back, we were always meant to have Orion. We needed him as much as he needed to be born. It is such a difficult feeling to put into words; that feeling of knowing someone was always there, always would be there, even before they were born. I could not have predicted that we would have another baby yet now I feel like I always new we would.
  Two years ago, Orion made his way into my arms for the first time. For the first time, I felt his warmth against my chest and my face. I heard his loud voice as he expelled his first breath. I was instantly in love. Orion was perfect in every way. The past two years have been nothing short of incredible. Our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. Orion is a powerhouse of voice, strength, and will. He has single handedly thrown our household completely out of balance and then created a new balance all his own. He challenges me everyday to be a better father, to listen better, to learn. He affects Apollo in so many positive ways and in ways that as parents, we could never have done.
  My favorite things about 2-year-old Orion, are his smile, his laughter, his adventurous and fearless nature, his facial expressions, his passion and compassion, his hugs, and that sweet voice that so amazingly communicates his thoughts and needs. My favorite phrases of his right now are;
 "Dada, I want that one right there!"

"No, not that one."
"It's not working."
"Dada! Watch."
"Help me."
"I want more please"
"Thank you, dada."
And because Uncle Gooch is in town, "Goochie! Watch!" usually Orion is standing on a couch with both hands in the air pointed like guns,, "Pkew, pkew, pkew!" (the sound of guns shooting) at which points he jumps to the ground.

  Happy Birthday Orion! I love you so much!! You are such an amazing young man and have brought so much joy and laughter into our home. Your smile lights up the whole room while your laughter fills my heart. I am looking forward to what this next year has to offer.