GIRL made her appearance on a September evening in 2004. She was 10 days late. I pushed her out in 12 1/2 minutes. It was the day after my 43rd birthday. I missed having two children at 42 years old by 1 day. Our children are 9 months and 27 days apart. We like to round it up to 10 months so that it seems a little saner.
I was always scared of having a GIRL. Yet this GIRL has toppled me over. I adore her and struggle with her. She is her mother's daughter with a good mix of daddy's genes thrown in. Most of all, she is her own little person. She and BOY are everything to me. I am so very blessed.
We like to say that BOY brought GIRL to us. He wanted a little sister and he got one. We have been through quite a journey to become the family that we are today. I don't regret a moment of it. Well, maybe the Clomid! But, not really. I know in my soul that we were meant to traverse this path. That our GIRL would never have been born if not for BOY. And if our infertility treatments hadn't failed, we would never have had BOY & GIRL. And that is unimaginable. They are our life. Our greatest blessing and our biggest challenge.
BOY started walking when GIRL came home from the hospital! It was a bit nutty. Imagine trying to breastfeed and your other child is ricocheting off the furniture. You put the baby GIRL down and race over to rescue your little BOY, who needs you. He is not yet one year old. Then GIRL shrieks because of course she needs you. She is a newborn. You pick up BOY and race back to pick up GIRL. You wonder at your ability to cope. GOD must think you are a Wonder Woman. He must have gotten confused with that singing telegram costume you used to wear - the one with the leopard print and the whip. That wasn't Wonder Woman. That was ...something else. And so the race began...the first 2 years somewhat of a blur, yet we paused often for noting our great gifts. Our children.
We still maintain regular contact with BOY's birthmother. We've only seen her a few times since BOY has been born, but she has given us so much. And is our biggest cheerleader. She has taught us grace and courage. And we thank every day that she chose us to be BOY's parents- Forever. Sometimes E and I both forget that I didn't give birth to him. It is not any reflection on her, but just what happens when you love your children beyond what you could ever imagine. And the journey continues...
And so, my friends, that is the story of how we became a family. Thank you so much for sticking with me and reading along. I have so enjoyed your comments along the way. Our GIRL turned 3 in September and BOY turned 4 last week. They are the best of friends and have so much fun together, being so close in age. Every day is different, other than the continuum of feeling just a little insane. But, I look forward to the adventures ahead and know that there will be many. The unexpected gifts in life are the best of all...
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I love preschoolers - so smart and funny.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a relaxing weekend.
I finished this post with a lump in my throat and a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteOf course, we knew the happy ending to this story already, but it was a damn fine journey you took us on. BOY & GIRL knew what they were doing when they chose their mother.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us - the agony and the ecstasy!
This was a heckuva story. Thanks for telling us. Of course, it took me awhile to realize that you were writing about the past. . .
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I think you would like the rest of the Jason Mraz CD. There is another song called "Bella Luna" that makes me want to dance.
I can't imagine life without a girl...you are blessed. I feel like I have been on a journey with you and it was wonderful. I look forward to many more posts here, but I hope you are planning to take weekends off.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and keep an eye out for those unexpected gifts.
All that wrangling you described? Is why mothers are women. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYour story is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had Alexis, I was 40. She was a surprise pregnancy. The year prior to her birth I was also pregnant and miscarried that baby. I often tell people that God took that first baby back because that child was so special and that he was not ready to be separated from that child and then ... one year later ... he gave her back to me. I truly believe that! I think that God chooses the mother for certain souls - it is very precise and it is in his plan.
I love your story and I love that you wrote it all down for us to enjoy. It was something!!!!
Take care and have a great weekend. See you soon. Kellan
PS - I would also enjoy sitting with you ... to talk ... maybe someday!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for sharing your story with us!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story!! I read all of the posts, truly a wonderful blessed story.
ReplyDeletePretty unbelievable :-) I have 2 girls who are 1 year and 11 days apart and they are becoming great friends (the older one is 2 & 8 months) it's such a pleasure to see them together.
ReplyDeleteOur 2nd pregnancy was planned, but I also took a test just to get it out of my head (the idea that I might be pregnant) and was shocked when I immediately saw the 2 pink lines. It took while to get over the shock - even though we really wanted to have another one right away.
You must feel very blessed :-)
Such an amazing story, I'm sorry I only arrived at the tail end, but I will try to go back and read the rest when there is time.
ReplyDelete(The part about wonder woman was cracking me up, by the way, and the part where Boy is ricocheting off the couch as you nurse Girl! Funny now, but I'm guessing not so funny at the time?)
I can only imagine what a blur the first two years were! Congrats on surviving nablopomo! I loved your story!
ReplyDeleteOh, I cannot even IMAGINE having to deal with a newborn and a baby who's just walking!
ReplyDeleteI applaud your stamina.
Lovely story -- all of it.
What a fantastic story. I'm sure people's jaws drop when they find out how close your children are in age - but mine are 20 months apart, and if I were to change it I'd only want them closer together (they are developmentally so similar it's almost like having twins anyway). It's so much fun when they can play together and enjoy the same things.
ReplyDeleteOh WOW. WOW. WOW. Once again, you've left my heart heavy and my mouth speechless. Have I told you recently how lucky BOY and GIRL are to have you for a Mom?
ReplyDeleteThey are. They really are.
oh, yay!!! i was pretty scared of having a girl, too. it has turned out beautifully, though.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stop myself to finish reading this journal. I have to say I was surprised and very touched at the end. Things like this don't usually happen around me or it's more like a story, but now I can feel and touch it. It's truly amazing. I have to agree that Boy brought Girl to be a complete family. Don't take anything for granted and appreciate what I have are the information I found for myself. Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey. By the way, you have two wonderful children.
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