Dear Major Milestones

When Ry was born, she was our first. Every thing she did was new to us. The first time she smiled was uplifting. Making me feel like those endless nights were worth it. To feel the love that comes through a first smile is something that one could never imagine until you see it coming from your own baby. With her cheeks scrunched up, and eyes squinting, she showed me how much she loved me. It was a moment I never want to forget. It was when I first learned about the part of your heart that opens up to hold more love than you ever imagined. That part that only becomes real after you have a baby.

When Kennel was born, I had expected some things. I knew she would smile at about 5 weeks. I knew she would roll over after a few months and I knew she wouldn't walk until after she was one. I had experience. We knew what we were doing the second time around. Kendall showed me what it was like to have a normal pregnancy, to have a planned delivery with an average weight baby. For her, the milestone I will never forget is hearing her cry (scream) as soon as she was born. She is our only babe who came out and showed us she was ok. There was nothing to worry about. We would have a lifetime of surprises with this one.

When Eli was 5 months old. He touched my face for the first time. I was changing his diaper and his arms were flailing all over the place. He was babbling and chewing on his fist. He reached to my face with one fist, and opened his fingers as much as he could. He latched on with his fingertips onto my cheek. He held still. I stopped in my tracks. This was the first time he has been able to have enough control to touch me on purpose. I will never forget that momentous milestone. The control he had over his hands. Most babies gain this control after a few months. 5 months after Eli was born, he reached up and touched my cheek. The look of contentment on his face told me he had wanted to do this for a long time, and he fought so hard for the chance to do so. Those endless days staring at a baby in an incubator, those days where we could only hold our baby for a few hours before he got too tired, those days I spent with my sweet princesses while my prince stayed in the hospital 2 hours away, all became worth it when Eli touched my face. The funny thing is, he knew it too.

Dear Major Milestones,
You have always been around. The difference is: now, I know how important you are.

-Ciera