My sister and her husband welcomed their first child over the weekend. Jackson Thomas - named after his two grandfathers - arrived a a few days early, and oh so perfect in all his 7 pound, 12 ounce glory!In the rush to make the 6-1/2 hour drive, and the comotion of family reunions, I've not had much time to process this new little addition to our extended family.
The experience of my 'little sister' being pregnant, and becoming a mother for the first time has been a surprisingly emotional one for me. With each new pregnancy milestone or discomfort, I would recall my own when I was carrying Ethan and Olivia. I freely offered our no longer needed baby clothes and toys, as well as a healthy portion of advice - which may or may not have been welcome!
A baby will make love stronger, days shorter,
nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier,
the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
- unknown
While I thought about what it was like for me to become a mother for the first time, nothing prepared me for the the wave of emotions that hit me while holding my sweet little nephew. I'd forgotten just how little newborns are (though truth be told, both my kids had a pound or more on their cousin!) I'd forgotten that new baby smell, the peacefulness that comes with holding a sleeping baby.
Oh, little Jackson Thomas, I wish for you enough...
Happiness to keep you sweet,
Trials to keep you strong,
Sorrows to keep you human,
Hope to keep you happy,
Failure to keep you humble,
Success to keep you eager,
Friends to give you comfort,
Wealth to meet your needs,
Enthusiasm to look for tomorrow,
Love to keep you whole,
Determination to make each day,
Better than the day before.
Trials to keep you strong,
Sorrows to keep you human,
Hope to keep you happy,
Failure to keep you humble,
Success to keep you eager,
Friends to give you comfort,
Wealth to meet your needs,
Enthusiasm to look for tomorrow,
Love to keep you whole,
Determination to make each day,
Better than the day before.
And for my sister and brother-in-law,
There is nothing like the blessing
Of a bouncing, baby boy
He will fill
your home with energy
And touch your heart with joy.
He’ll hug you and
bug you
And try you within
But each precious memory
You’ll treasure
again and again.
~ Linda LaTourelle
Ang, thank you for reminding us all, what an incredible impact a new baby can have on an entire family! As women so many memories come flooding back of our own deliveries and tiny babes! All the firsts we encounted along the way! Our own fears, and worries, but also the realization that the most life altering love we've ever experienced, has just filled up every cell in our bodies, and we will forever be changed for the bettter. Welcome to the "Mommy Club"! The price of admission: the most demanding requests you will ever ask from your body. The benefits of the "Club", a sisterhood of all the moms who have come before you, who will graciously support you in your new found role as Jackson's Mum...
ReplyDeletethanks so much for taking the time to leave me such a nice long message! :)
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