Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sometimes the busyness of life really gets in the way. It gets in the way of a lot, actually. The house gets messy. The laundry piles up. The refrigerator becomes bare. Friendships get neglected. And the list goes on and on...

Lately, I've craved just sitting in the big, brown leather recliner--feet kicked up and arms snuggling my baby. And the great thing is, now that Faith is a 'full time nurser' there has been plenty of time for that. For that, I am eternally grateful. Babyhood is so fleeting, it's something to savor. Savor indeed. The sweetness of a baby just can't be beat.

It's still hard for me to believe that my oldest child is 13. A teenager. Officially. Where did his babyhood go? Did I drink in his sweet baby smell and his chubby baby legs? Did I take the time to enjoy his toothless grin and his silky soft hair? Did I hold tight to his hand in mine? I hope so...I hope I didn't let life get in the way. Now, although I look almost eye to eye into my son's face, I still see that sweet baby. He's still in there, somewhere.

Since Faith's birth, I have tried to focus on more of the positive. She's smaller than a 'typical' baby of almost 5 months old. In fact, people that I run into in public that ask how old she is, can hardly believe that she is not younger than she is. I just smile and think to myself "at least I get to enjoy her babyhood that much longer"...and when I worry about how floppy her muscles are, I say to myself "at least I can enjoy cuddling with her as her body just melts into mine"--a perfect fit.

It's hard to believe how this tiny little girl has changed my perspective on life. On love. On acceptance.

Now, onward we go. Adventure ahead. A Princess with 47 chromosomes was born into our lives. And with her 'something extra', hearts and lives are changed.

I am so very thankful for this eye-opening child that has been gifted to us. She is a treasure. Complete in a pretty package, wrapped in a shiny bow...waiting to be unwrapped. As we all know, big things can come in small packages!