Parenting Sage has been a joy. I loved her from the moment I saw her and lived that first week in panic because, "It's going too fast!" Jeff and I have watched her grow, day by day, into a beautiful, intelligent, hilarious little gal. What a deep joy it has been to witness her life. She makes me smile; big, toothy grins.
And then came Henry and - oh. my. stars. - my heart grew three sizes bigger that day. He has sent me over the edge. Before he came I worried that I would be overwhelmed with two kids; that I would be grumpy and frazzled. While those emotions play a part of each day, there is something about having a second child that has made me love motherhood more. We had heard for some time that the 2nd one is easier and we could hardly believe it. However, in lots of ways it has been true for us. As my friend, Erika said, "It's not such a shock to your system." Perhaps there is more selfishness that you are fighting with your first. By the time your second comes around, the white flag has been raised in surrender and you begin to accept that things are not going to go the way you plan.
Whatever the reason, I am smitten with my children.
I could go on and on, but simply stated - Henry is so sweet. I hold him way too much. I can't help it. He is the reason I will one day be one of those precious old ladies in the nursing home who rocks her plastic baby back and forth all day. If, in my confusion, I head back to one of the happiest times in my life, it will be rocking that sweet, sweet soul to sleep. Oh, my heart.
It's been an awfully long time since I've written, so let this be the beginning of a renewed habit. I hope to once again document the comings and goings of the Tidyman family, declaring now that we are doing well. Filling our days with mistakes and grace and trying to stay anchored to the God that brought us all together. My people - Jeff, Sage and Henry. When I look at those faces, I am home.