two

Two years ago tonight, early in the morning on July 4, I went to sleep on the couch. Which happened to be, the only place in the entire house where I could get comfortable.

When I woke up a few hours later, I couldn't stand without Charlie's strong arms helping me. And as I stood to walk around, I remember holding on to a wall when my back suddenly went in to a painful muscle spasm. Since I had never been in labor before, it was my mother who clued me in to the fact that I needed to go to the hospital. I had absolutely no idea what was happening and I was afraid.

Would I deliver naturally, as I had hoped, or would I have to have a repeat c-section? There were so many questions. So many fears.

But very quickly, all of my fears subsided and 16 hours after I had uncomfortably fallen asleep on our living room couch, I comfortably fell asleep in a hospital bed. Cradling to my chest, the most beautiful 10-pound newborn I had ever seen.

We didn't know what we would call our newest family member for several days. When his siblings came to meet him for the first time, we queried them.

"How do you like Robert... Robby? What about Edward... Eddie? How about Samuel... Sam? Maybe Sammy?"

But they didn't know any better than we did. They were only two-years-old, and all they wanted to do was climb on me, play with the remote control and telephone, and push random buttons on my hospital bed.

It took us five days to decide on his name.

It came to us, that final hour that we were in the hospital. As Charlie was loading my suitcase and essentials in to the car and confirming with hospital staff that the carseat was installed properly. And I laid in bed, cradling my newborn baby, exactly as I had done for the previous 96 hours. This little miracle child. The one whose life I pray will be filled with good health, laughter, tranquility and peace.

He will be Henry David.

My littlest love.

My firecracker.

My Henry David.

These past two years have been, without a doubt, the most magnificent years of my entire life. That sounds so cliché. So trite.

But I never could have imagined that one single baby could bring so much joy, love and happiness in to a family.

But he has.

And then some.

It has been two years, today, since Henry David has joined our tribe.

It's difficult for me to fathom that my once fragile newborn is now climbing trees. Much to my surprise, he is able to keep up with his older siblings so much better than I anticipated. (or wanted.)

As he continues to grow, I pray that his life will continue to be filled with good health, laughter, tranquility and peace. I pray that he will stay safe. I pray that he always knows how much he was wanted and how much he is loved.

I pray that I will never forget how special these past two years have been for me.

And I hope that he understands that regardless of how big he may grow - or how independent he may become ... he will always be my baby.

Happy Birthday My Sweet, Sweet Love.