6:31 -- Blessing Baby

I admit; when you first arrived
I wasn't sure what to do.
Your brother, although delightful now,
was a handful.
He cried and cried.
And then, he cried some more.
Daddy and I were prepared to be frazzled.
Family members were prepared to support
us in the event of a 'crysis.'
But, we weren't prepared for your gifts.
For the past four months, you have been smiley and calm.
Blessing baby.

On November first, you slept the day away. 
On the second and third days, you did too.
In fact, the first two months all you did was sleep:
at least 20 hours each day!
Your sleep was a blessing:
it helped Big Brother adjust to his new family structure, and
Mommy recover mentally, physically, and emotionally, and
Daddy return to work knowing that all was well at home during the day.
We weren't prepared for your gifts.
For the past four months, you have been a sleeper.
Blessing baby.

When I hold you near, you snuggle in to find your niche.
You move your cheek beside my lips for intermittent kisses.
You contentedly ride around with me to accomplish
housework,
and cooking,
and shopping.
My arms are your home; my shoulder, your rock.
We weren't prepared for your gifts.
For the past four months, you have been a cuddler.
Blessing baby.

You smile.  All day.
In the Bumbo seat, or the bouncy seat.
For two minutes while I eat my peanut butter toast each morning
or 42 minutes while I exercise each afternoon.
While I shower and dry my hair.
Even when I put on makeup afterward.
We weren't prepared for your gifts.
For the past four months, you have been flexible.
Blessing baby.

I whisper, each night at bedtime, how thankful I am for you.
I nuzzle your cheeks and stare into your ocean eyes with
chocolately pools of concentration.
We weren't prepared for your gifts.
For the past four months, you have been growing us.
Growing our faith,
growing our hearts,
growing our minds,
growing our love.
"Blessing baby," I tap your tiny fingers and tiptoe away.


Write on,
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