Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Meltdowns & Miracles


Every year as my kids' birthdays approach, I prepare myself. More than a month ago I began to rehearse in my mind that Canaan would be turning two. A couple times I even referred to him as a 2-year-old. Just to try it on for size, you know? Ease in?
That's all fine until the actual day comes. February 4, 2009. My baby is two. Two! Can't I remember so clearly calling those needed to come to my home and attend my labor? Wasn't it only moments ago that LaMonica laid my 10 pound, 2 ounce son in my arms, insisting that yes I could hold him even though I was exhausted and my hands were numb from propping myself up in my bathtub?
We have celebrated this boy every day of his life. How very special each of his milestones have been with not only a doting mother and a proud father, but the biggest cheerleaders of all - his siblings - applauding him! How we've adored him and his sparkling eyes, his easy grin, his cute little sayings!
We have spent countless hours on the floor with him, seeing the world through his eyes. We've knelt in the sand and really felt it between our toes. We've seen the little birds hopping to and fro and appreciated their delicate nature.
I couldn't begin to calculate the number of hours I have spent nursing this little one, holding him as tightly as wiggly toddlerhood allows, kissing his rosy lips, smoothing the silkiest hair, caressing the softest little legs.

I have remembered the weeks of early pregnancy when we weren't sure at all that this baby was going to stay put. The months we spent searching for the right medical practitioner for my pregnancy and delivery. The peace and joy we felt when we finally decided to have him at home. The unbelievable experience it actually was, far surpassing my wildest expectations of how wonderful a labor and delivery could be.

We have, in short, fallen absolutely, head-over-heels, completely in love with our magical little son. Alif spoke correctly this morning when he came upon our smiling boy: "It doesn't matter what day it is, you're just happy!" Happy indeed, and oh - we are so, so blessed.

In case you weren't sure, Canaan, we love you. So very much.

15 comments:

  1. Oh, happy happy birthday, big boy!! What a beautiful post from your adoring Mommy!!

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  2. Happy Birthday Canaan!

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  3. aw, so sweet! happy birthday little boy.

    and don't worry, doesn't matter how old they are, they will ALWAYS be our babies:)

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  4. Oh. BOY!!! Is he precious. I can see how God would choose you to bless with such an amazing son! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

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  5. Happy birthday Canaan!! Love the pics :)

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  6. so so sweet! Happy birthday to your handsome boy!

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  7. Happy birthday big boy!

    I think the second birthday hurts the most. It's just such a big milstone. I have told my boys that no, I will not stop calling them my babies so just get used to it. They know I dont mean it as in new baby type baby so they are thinking it's okay now.

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  8. what a sweet blog about your beautiful boy!

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  9. *sniff sniff* That was so sweet Emily!

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  10. Oh, you will be so glad for the record you are keeping through your blog one day. I wish I'd had a blog when my munchkins were little. It's so precious to remember all the sweet and tender moments of your children's lives. A very happy birthday to Canaan

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  11. Anonymous2:01 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANAAN!!!
    Emily,
    Please do a post full of photos Canaan took???
    ~Iris

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  12. Love that last picture! Is that the same bathtub where he was born? He's a beautiful little boy!

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  13. Oh, don't do that to me. I only have a couple months until my L.E.Fant turns two.

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  14. hey Lamonica delivered my good friends baby boy too!! =)

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  15. Thank you, friends!!

    Iris - I will get right on that!

    Lorieloo - Gretchen?

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