The moment I first saw him face-to-face is one I’ll never forget: he was blue.
I don’t recall being alarmed, though this was certainly my most difficult delivery (that’s not so much a complaint as it is a comparison to the birth of my older children). Had he been my first, my reaction might have been different, panicked, fearful. To everyone in the room but to no one in particular, I mused aloud, “I just gave birth to a Smurf!”
Humor always calms me.
Judged immediately as less than perfect according to Apgar, his skin pinked quickly. Through mom-colored glasses I counted ten fingers and ten toes…perfect, to me.
When I was pregnant with my second, I wondered-with-horror how my love could be divided between two children! What I quickly learned was that mother-love is never divided, it is only multiplied with subsequent births.
I suppose because my body was once their home, when my children were delivered, a part of me stayed with them, and them, me. Invisible threads, an inseverable binding, an extension of my own heart–this magnificent connection between mother and child.
Is this universal for all mothers? Might it explain why our children’s successes taste sweeter than our own; why we’re grieved when discipline is necessary; why our own hearts shatter when theirs have been battered and bruised first in friendship, then in love; how we can celebrate the mundane and expected–walking and talking, shoe tying and potty training, flight on two wheels?
Today my baby turns 12; and yet I can still smell his newborn scent.
His primary love language is touch; his second voice is time. Though he wasn’t clingy when he was younger, I was sure if given the chance he’d return to the womb. He wakes up cheerfully and chattily every day, and his need to speak is just as strong as his siblings’ demand for quiet and my requirement for coffee.
Makes for interesting mornings.
This child captures lions for me.
This boy can slay me.
Sometimes, he can walk on air or even fly…!
He’s secure enough? mature enough? sensitive enough? to understand when I call him “Baby” it doesn’t mean he IS a baby, or even that he’s the baby of our family, but rather it’s how I express my love to him (and many others). Maybe I picked that up a lifetime ago from Robert Munsch’s book, “I’ll Love You Forever“, which to this day, beckons tears when I read–
“I’ll love you forever /
I’ll love you for always /
As long as I’m living /
My baby you’ll be.”
Even if my baby is a Smurf.
Happy Birthday Big Guy!
Nice. A very nice piece. (((Hugs)))
Happy Birthday!!!! What a sweet tribute 🙂
What a sweet post! With two boys, I bawl like a baby every time I read that book!
Happy birthday to your “baby”!
I’ve read that book many times to my three “baby” boys. Love it!!!
When is a blogpost about a son’s birthday more than a mere blogpost about a son’s birthday?
When Robin writes it.
I give this post an Apgar score of “10.”
Happy Birthday to your youngest. May he never stop capturing lions for his mother…
I just sat here with Stephen & let him read the post and comments. He said,
“I remember HIM” when he saw your name and I said that’s Willowtree. Loved
that 🙂 (thanks for popping in!!)
Thank you! You can always tell when I LOVE writing something, can’t you?
{{hugs}} back atcha–I know YOU know how fast this time is flying! 🙂
I’m smiling because it’s so sweet the first three comments on this are from
you, e-mom & WT :). Y’all were probably around when the kid celebrated 10?
9??? Wow…YOU’RE OLD! 😉
The first time I heard it was before I had kids, when I was marketing
director for a retirement community. It ’bout killed me then, but after I
had kids? Ummm, yeah…..!
It doesn’t get old, does it? The sentiment is so sweet, it’s telling is so
touching, I can’t read it without a gulp in my throat (& wet eyes) :).
{{smiling}} Thanks for the birthday greetings from a fellow “Stephen” :).
And…for your perfect comment ;).
What a precious and wonderful tribute, Robin. 😀
Girl, your writing is absolutely beautiful. Nowadays I can’t seem to string together coherent words to even make a mediocre blog post. Must need more Coke 😉
I just had to run up to the book shelf to find our copy of “I’ll love you forever”.
A beautiful post. You gave me the sniffles.
Tennessee is my roots..Love what you are doing here and will keep you in prayer for your next sleepless night.
You can have some fun and win great prizes for you kids at my party, please come on in and be welcomed.
Gymathtics LIVE Event is going virtual! – Saturday, April 25, 2009, 2-5pm
Exploramania is having a Gymathtics LIVE Event in Tampa but wants to invite everyone who cannot physically attend to attend virtually through the Internet. There will be games, prizes, demonstrations, and live photos from the event from 2-5pm on April 25th all streaming through the Internet celebrating Math & Exercise with Gymathtics. This is a GREAT family activity for some safe family FUN. Those participating through the Internet will have added perks by utilizing Social Networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter during the event. Even better, everyone can enter for giveaways, including the Gymathtics DVD, starting TODAY! Share this with your friends and family.
For instructions on how to participate online, visit Exploramania’s Blog at http://www.Exploramania.Blogspot.com.