They are so right. And maybe I never truly understood this until I had one of my own, but it's true.
Of course, no one loves a baby more than her own mama (and daddy), but it's so good to know that you have surrounded your babe with friends and family who love her so much. And nothing makes you feel more loved, than to see your friends and family loving on your little girl. It's peace of mind. A safety net. That if or when you stumble, there will be people there. And they will catch you. Because that's what a village does.
A few weeks ago, we gathered some of the people in our village and celebrated a special occasion for sweet baby O. Her baptism. Her initiation into the church. And amidst the cries of some small babes, there was something very meaningful happening that Sunday afternoon. Something that symbolized that when things get tough, you've got someplace to turn. Your faith. Your family and the dearest of friends.
In three short weeks, we are expanding our village. Welcoming someone else into our circle who will, in no time I'm sure, become like family. Because you can't spend eight hours a day, five days a week, with sweet Olivia, her big blue eyes and heart-melting smile and not love her like your own. I'm convinced, it's just not possible. So while dropping her off on that first Monday morning, will be more than difficult, we know she'll be loved and cared for. And just knowing that, may make it just a bit easier on this mama when she returns to work.
It's been less than a dozen weeks, but I can already tell. Becoming her mama, was truly the best experience. Each day is a new adventure, a new challenge and just when I think we couldn't possibly love her anymore, I'm proven wrong and my heart, already full with love and admiration, grows even more.
But sometimes, it's hard work. It's a responsibility greater than any other. It can get overwhelming at times, and test your patience like none other. But it's worth it though. It is so very worth it. And it's a bit easier when your village, your people, are there to remind you, help you and support you.
Before I became a mama, I thought I knew. I sat in her room, rocked in the chair and imagined the day when she would finally be here and thought I knew what it would be like to be her mama.
Granted, some of it is exactly what I expected. Like how much we love her, unconditionally, and would do anything for her. And how I love Kevin even more when I see them together. And how much I worry about her...everything, anything and nothing. Was that a cough? Is she too hot? When did she last poop? And how much I don't worry about whatever it is I worried about before she was here...which I can't even remember now.
But then there are the things I didn't expect. Like how sappy I get when I think about how quickly she is growing up...yes, even at only two months old I feel like her "Happy Birth Day" was an eternity ago. And how I could be so incredibly excited to crawl out of bed, still severely sleep deprived, to see those eyes staring back at me, ready to start her day, even if it is Saturday and it's 7AM. And how I'd google the words to the most ridiculously silly songs and sing them to her, if it would get her to smile. And how important it is to have surrounded our daughter, with a village full of people who will love her and support her, always.
Sometimes I ask Kevin how we did it? How did we create the sweetest baby? How did we get so blessed? She mesmerizes me, and she has stolen our hearts from the very beginning. She is ours. We made her. We couldn't love her more. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her. As each day passes, each milestone, big or small, she tackles and accomplishes. I do not know what untold chapters will fill her book, but one thing I am sure of is with each new chapter, we will be there. Our village. We will be there, cheering her on, picking her up, standing beside her, and loving her, every step of the way. Because that's just what our people do.
