i can't believe i haven't updated this blog (truly) since henry was born. i guess i expected the first thing i would put up would be his birth story, but the truth is, that's still in the works. i haven't even "penned" more than 12 hours of it. my goal is to have at least part one of it done before the end this break.
stay tuned.
it's almost christmas. this time last year, it was the last day of my last period. i know that's an odd and funny thing to write, but it's pretty memorable for me. when i first found out i was pregnant, i went to all these "determine the due date" generators. they all asked, what was the last day of your last period? and yep, last year on this exact day, december 23rd, henry was a tiny egg waiting in my ovaries. this time last year, he was a mere possibility. now, he's here sleeping next to me.
i don't think i need to tell you he's perfect-- but i will.
he's introspective and curious. he questions his world constantly; you can see the gears in his brain working it all out, delicately. he is smart, truly, a thinker. it's amazing to see him processing the world around him, becoming familiar. i know he'll be a hands on learner. he wants to be a part of everything. sometimes he'll fight sleep just to be around the action. he has just started recognizing wrigley and has recognized eric and me since nearly the very beginning. now, when we walk into a room, he greets us with the widest of smiles.
i have never seen anything as miraculous as his smile. the corners of his mouth turn, the right side first and then the left. it's infectious. his smile is filled with kindness. it is not a selfish; he smiles because he loves. i don't think i could ever adequately describe it. you'd have to witness him smiling to truly understand the strength of it. and he's slowly beginning to laugh. it's a small giggle right now. one day, it will be full and boisterous. one day, he will be laughing with us. how amazing is that?
hen only cries when something's wrong, and it has never taken us too long to figure out what he is attempting to communicate. but ugh, i hate hearing him cry. i'd heard that his tears would break our heart, but at times it's really too much. we decided to vaccinate, and when the nurses put needles in his tiny legs, something inside me broke in two. if i could, i would save him from every pain in the world. the longing to shield him from reality is overwhelming.
this journey hasn't been a walk in the park, there have been late night fights and tired tears, but we are blessed. we have a SON. last year, he was a beat of my heart. i nurtured and carried him for 9 months. i labored for 24 hours and released him into the world. he is now living and growing from my body. there is nothing more gratifying or powerful than the process of his growth. we are responsible for it, entrusted with it.
with God's help, we'll do right by him.
pictures in this post all taken by my good friend, Amy Werner
