As Old as a Decade and That’s a Big Deal & Link Up On the Edge #242

April 30, 2021 / 76 Comments
Shelbee on the Edge

Tomorrow Archie turns 10. And that is a big deal, y’all!

One decade ago in the evening hours of this day, I was sitting on my back patio in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with Jeff and my sister and her husband enjoying a steak dinner from the backyard grill. I was 35 weeks pregnant with a due date of June 1. I was hot. I was huge. I was uncomfortable. I was anxious. To ease my anxiety, my sister urged me to have a small glass of wine, reassuring me that baby Archie was all done cooking in there and a few sips of wine would do no harm.

Well, apparently Archie really liked the wine because after just 3 sips, he delivered one great swift kick to my insides subsequently and violently breaking my water. This was my first pregnancy so I was entirely unsure what anything was supposed to feel like. The best description that I can give is this…I felt a little kick, then I felt a little squirt, then I felt a bit of wetness that was followed by a bigger gush that sent me quietly into the bathroom to investigate in private. I spent about 1 minute in private before yelling for my sister.

She came into the bathroom and asked if I was okay as I showed her the state of my pants and underwear and asked if that is what it looks when your water breaks. She simply replied, “Yup. Call the doctor.” That was the day I learned what broken water looks and feels like! And off to the hospital we went where Archer James Herling was delivered by Caesarian section around 4:00 a.m. on May 1, 2011. Archer was five weeks early and weighed just a half ounce shy of 7 pounds.

When we revealed my pregnancy to our families, my father-in-law immediately predicted a May 1 birthday (which is his birthday). We laughed at him and said no way. But he was right! And his second grandchild was born on his 60th birthday. He still calls it the best birthday gift he ever received!

Anyway, here were are, the day before Archer is officially a 10 year old. We celebrated his birthday with a few friends last weekend and this weekend my in-laws are coming in to celebrate with him. We also have a second retirement party going on tomorrow for Jeff with the friends who could not make it to his official retirement ceremony and celebration in February.

Here are a few photos from Archie’s birthday party on Saturday.

Europe Cakes, Master Chief Halo Cake, Shelbee on the Edge
Archie requested a cake that looks like Master Chief (Halo) and Monica of Europe Cakes delivered in the most wonderful way as she always does! The cake was chocolate with raspberry filling and so delicious.
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge
Shelbee on the Edge

His face when he opened his fancy new hunting knife from Uncle Adam is absolutely priceless. He also got a hoverboard from my father-in-law, hoverboard gear from my mother-in-law, nerf guns and accessories from Ralphie and us, and a variety of gift cards from his friends for his spending pleasure!

On Saturday morning before his party, Archie requested a trip to the USO Fort Drum Heritage Center and Museum. This child of mine is obsessed with military history including the history of weapons and other warfare tactics. He baffles me with his extensive knowledge. As we were walking through the little USO museum, I am fairly certain that Archie knew more about the weapons on display than the museum itself knows. Here is a little photo tour of what’s inside…

USO Fort Drum
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge
USO Fort Drum, Shelbee on the Edge

I hope you enjoyed this photo experience with me! If you are interested in learning more about any of the artifacts from this museum, you can visit the 10th Mountain Division Museum website. Have a fantastic weekend, y’all! And a very happy birthday to my first born!

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Shelbee

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I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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76 Comments

  • Kellyann Rohr

    April 30, 2021 at 9:01 am Reply

    Happy Birthday Archie! How cool that he shares the same birthday as his grandfather! That cake looks terrific too, once they hit the double digits I swear they grow up overnight!
    Thanks for the link up Shelbee and have a super weekend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      April 30, 2021 at 3:54 pm Reply

      Thank you, Kellyann! I can’t get over how quickly they grow! And now at 10, he is like a mini adult with thoughts and opinions and ideas of his own. I love having conversations with my kids at this age! Their perspective is very interesting. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      April 30, 2021 at 3:53 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Gail! I like to keep their parties small and intimate and I think they really do make the best memories that way. The one thing I always splurge on for their birthdays though is their cakes. They have come up with some really interesting ones over the years! I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kathrine Eldridge

    April 30, 2021 at 10:48 am Reply

    Happy 10th birthday to Archie! My son Evan whose birthday is May 4 came a little early because my water broke as well. I remember it well becasue I was eating stuffed pizza and coke. Lol! So glad he had a great day and got amazing presents. Wait until he turns 18 and then you’re like, what happened? Thanks for the link up my friend.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      April 30, 2021 at 3:50 pm Reply

      Kathrine, thanks so much for sharing a bit about Evan’s birth story! I am already like what the heck happened! Seriously, how did 10 years just zip right by? It is so crazy! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nancy

    April 30, 2021 at 11:31 am Reply

    Archie, Nancy here from the Netherlands! I wish you a fantastic Birthday tomorrow, have a fabulous day and enjoy it! And……save some cake for me!

  • Di

    April 30, 2021 at 2:21 pm Reply

    Wishing Archie a very happy birthday-it looks like he had a great time! And I love the special cake! Thanks for sharing his special day with us. It sounds like your house has been party central for the past few weeks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      April 30, 2021 at 3:46 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Di! There has been way too much partying in my house for my old bones! I am exhausted already and the weekend hasn’t even begun yet! Haha. I have never had big expensive birthday parties for my kids, but I do always let them pick whatever special cake they want. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      April 30, 2021 at 3:43 pm Reply

      Thanks, Jess! Oh, the day leading up to Archie’s birth was quite the scene! But I always have a sense of humor on my side and Archie clearly inherited that from me! Haha. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Rosemary Davis

    April 30, 2021 at 3:50 pm Reply

    Happy Birthday Archie,

    Shelbee, I love this sweet post!
    My grandson’s birthday is one day before my sons. My son always tells him he is the best birthday present ever!

    Rosemary xoxo-dSs

  • Lucy Bertoldi

    April 30, 2021 at 4:03 pm Reply

    Happy Birthday to your son and Happy Birthing Day to you! And- the same thing happened to me with my first! It was my husband’s name day and I decided to take just 2 sips of wine and that was it- that same night my waters broke and she came 3 weeks early! Enjoy your precious 10 year baby xx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 10:15 am Reply

      Lucy, thanks so much for sharing your birth experience with me! These silly kids, always in a hurry to come into the world and grow up! There must be something about the wine pushing the babies out…and clearly it only takes a few sips. The worst part about delivery my first child at 35 weeks was when I passed that point with Ralph, I was like, “Oh, heck no, I do not want to be this uncomfortable for 5 more weeks.” Fortunately, Ralphie came 2 weeks early so I only had an 3 extra weeks of feeling uncomfortable! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 10:02 am Reply

      Rena, thanks so much! Archie does love to hear stories about all sorts of things in our lives that happened before he came along! And he is very proud of himself for kicking his way into this world! Also, he will forever be an early bird (like both of his parents). For example, his school drop off time is 8:05-8:25. If we are not there by 8:05, he is freaking out on me that he’s late despite my endless explanations that we still have 20 minutes until he is actually late. But the early bird gets the worm and he does like worms, too! Haha.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 10:00 am Reply

      Thank you, Lauren! I enjoyed learning of yours as well. I didn’t even really have labor with Archie. My water broke and I never had any contractions at all. I had an 8 hour long panic attack until they did the C-section though! With Ralphie, I had a scheduled C-section but went into labor 5 days before my scheduled date. I could have done without those contractions! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Sheila (of Ephemera)

    April 30, 2021 at 7:58 pm Reply

    Happy Decade, Archie! I remember my 10th birthday vividly, being so excited about being in “double digits”. Awesome cake and wow, what a bunch of cool presents! And a tour of his favourite museum, to boot.

    Thanks so much for the link-up, Michelle! Have a fabulous weekend!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 9:57 am Reply

      Sheila, my friend, thanks so much! I do not remember my 10th birthday at all! I am excited for Archie to wake up this morning so I can give him a giant birthday hug! How the heck did a decade go by so quickly?!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Joanne

    April 30, 2021 at 9:15 pm Reply

    It sounds like he had a really fabulous birthday! That cake sounds amazing. I just love chocolate and raspberry combined. Funny enough that with all 3 of my pregnancies I never once had my water break.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 9:55 am Reply

      Thanks, Joanne! He did have a nice birthday except his new nerf gun broke with the first shot so he was a bit upset about that. It is already replaced so he’s happy again! Haha. I had no contractions with Archie because my water didn’t break naturally. When it was Ralph’s turn, I had no idea what to expect and the contractions came on slowly…until my water broke, then the contractions were so intense. I am glad I am done with all the baby making stuff! Ha. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Darlene

    April 30, 2021 at 11:47 pm Reply

    Aw, happy 10th birthday to Archie!! What a cutie. I remember when my Max said on his tenth, “I’m double digits from now on, Momma!” Lol! Like Archie, he is a lover of history and weaponry. AH, boys. Enjoy Jeff’s second celebration of returning to non-military life!! (But really, once an Army or Marine guy, always a military guy, right?)

    xx Darlene

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 1, 2021 at 9:52 am Reply

      Darlene, thank you so much! I love what Max said on his tenth birthday! Now let’s hope these boys of ours can make it to triple digits! We had a little farewell ceremony yesterday at Jeff’s office which was really nice. It was a more informal one with just the group that he has worked with for the past 5 years. They gave him some really cool parting gifts! But I didn’t take a single picture at the event because I was just enjoying the moment. And yes, Jeff will always be an Army guy! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Terri Gardner

    May 1, 2021 at 1:51 pm Reply

    Happy birthday (or late) Archie. I enjoyed your story about how Archie came into your life. I think our birthing experiences are so ingrained in our minds that we never forget almost every detail. I know after all these years, I can pretty much remember them and in detail.

    A new decade is always a big deal. Or at least they are for me. Take care, Terri

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 2, 2021 at 11:30 am Reply

      Terri, thank you so much! Birthing experiences definitely leave a lasting impact. I have a terrible memory with almost everything in life, but I do recall nearly all the details of birthing both of my boys. And everyone has an intersting story, too. I have never heard a birth story that didn’t make me feel powerful emotions in one way or another. These are the conversations that enrich our lives, aren’t they? The sharing of important experiences. A decade is a big deal! Heck, at this point in my life, I look at each new day as a big deal and cause for celebration! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 2, 2021 at 11:26 am Reply

      Aw, Debbie, thanks so much, my friend! You know, I always remember when you shared a comment with me about how your son drove you crazy as a child but now he is your best friend and fave person to hang with. I hold onto that little tidbit especially on these milestone occasions. And I am seeing it happen right before my eyes. As they grow and evolve as humans, our children turn into really cool cats! Maybe because they have cool moms!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Patrick Weseman

    May 1, 2021 at 4:20 pm Reply

    Very nice. Happy Blessed Birthday to him. What a cool cake and what a cool museum to go to. He is a smart cookie.

    Thanks for hosting and I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend and hope he has a wonderful birthday.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 2, 2021 at 11:23 am Reply

      Patrick, thank you so very much! Archie definitely is one smart cookie and I am one proud mama! Archie has been wanting to go to Washington, D.C. to see all the military things there. We were planning to take a family vacation there last year for his birthday. But, well, that couldn’t happen! Hopefully, we can get him there soon but I will wait until travel is easier. I hope you are having a great weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 2, 2021 at 11:20 am Reply

      Cheryl, thank you so much! I think there is something in those few sips of alcohol that really can trigger baby to come out! I have received a few similar comments like this one already. It’s kind of fascinating! I hope you are having a really wonderful weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 2, 2021 at 11:18 am Reply

      Maureen, thank you so much! He did have a great birthday and he had even more fun yesterday at our combination retirement/birthday party. Right now, how I feel about him being 10 is tired!! We did a lot of celebrating and I am pooped. But really, it is kind of surreal how quickly a decade has flown by. And Archie was getting mad us for saying that over and over again! Haha. I hope you are having a great weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica

    May 2, 2021 at 9:14 pm Reply

    happy birthday to your son! 🙂 What a yummy looking cake and that trip sounds like a nice way to cleberate for him!

    I never had the big dramatic water breaking in my pregnancies – it wasn’t until we were in hospital with the boys. Which was nice as someone else cleaned it up, ha!

    Thanks for the link up 🙂

    Hope that you had a good weekend 🙂 It’s a relaxing long weekend for us!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 4, 2021 at 11:19 am Reply

      Thank you, Mica! I just laughed out loud at this phrase…”big dramatic water breaking”. They really make it look like it’s a huge drama in the movies, don’t they?! It wasn’t really as dramatic as Hollywood likes to show us! Although when my water broke with Ralphie, that was a bit messy but I was already in the hospital and my poor sister ended up being the one cleaning me up! We had a wonderfully busy weekend and now I am just trying to get back to my routine!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Niki

    May 4, 2021 at 6:13 pm Reply

    Wow! An almost 7lb premie! They say babies gain a pound during the 9th month, the 36, 37, 38, and 39th weeks. I bet you were glad he came a bit early. Both of mine came a few months early. God blessed me immensely by making them both healthy, and they got to go home as soon as I did. My youngest came at 34 weeks and weighed in at 4 lb 13.9oz. He will be celebrating his 10th in less than a month. Happy, happy birthday to Archie! Thanks for hosting! This is my first time visiting you. I am one of the hosts of Traffic Jam Weekend, so thank you for sharing!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 5, 2021 at 10:26 am Reply

      Niki, thank you so much! Yes, I was very glad that Archie came as early as he did because he likely would have been an 11 pound baby! He came home when I did as well. He had to spend about 8 hours in the NICU just to make sure his temperature regulated and he was breathing properly. But all was good for him! I enjoyed reading about your birth experience, too. Happy birthday to your son as well…another May baby?

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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