And Then There Were Three

Just about a year ago my only sister, my baby sister, tied the knot.  We watched her and her soon to be hubby exchange vows of love, devotion and understanding all to the light hearted humor of a priest who recognized that a marriage without laughter would be a long and tedious path--at best.

Fast forward one year later. Literally, almost one year later, To. The. Day.

Now their cozy little family of two has become three. They've welcomed the birth of their first {and possibly only} son, Caden. He decided he didn't want to wait around in the womb perferring a grand enterance into the world two weeks before he was expected. Even though he was early,  he is perfect in every way.

I wasn't able to attend the birth or hold my only nephew at the hospital since my sister lives out of state and my own troublesome twins were set to have their final T-ball game the next day. So, plans were made and begging of rides to the airport began. Besides my own issues of air sickness {I'm adorable when I'm air sick as my own husband is apt to tell me} I made it alive{barely} to see my freshly born nephew.

Once at my sister's house I was momentarily transformed back to the time when my own babies were actually babies. The sweet smell of baby powder {yes, I showered before I held him so I didn't stink}, the way that little bundle snuggles up in the crook of your arm to ensure that warmth is on-going, the soft cooing as milk induced sleep overtakes them into the land of sweet dreams. Ahhhhh, it almost makes me want another one...almost.

After I'm done ogling over the baby-- I turn to look at my sister and see a look that I know all too well. It's the look of  "Oh my God, what am I doing? Am I doing it right? Please, tell me I'm doing this right!"  It's a look shared by all new mothers alike. We just want reassurance without having to ask for that reassurance that we are doing a good job, that in some way we are not going to be the reason our children end up in therapy---regardless of the running jokes in sitcoms. I saw that this short weekend trip would not just be a chance to get to know my nephew, but to reassure my sister that she was indeed doing everything right and that all would be well. Now that I have my "new mommy" days behind me it's always interesting to see the realization of a new mommy-the sheer surprise that something that only weighs seven pounds could boss you around turning your life upside down.

The scary part about new babies is that their repertoire is limited. They cry, wet diapers and sleep. If any of these needs are not being met they cry to let you know. Unfortunately, they also cry just to cry which usually freaks out new mommies {myself included} causing the new mommies themselves to cry. I believe in crying it's good to let it out otherwise you'll go crazy and not the funny kind of crazy that makes you the hit of a party, but the scary not washing your hair, talking to yourself while walking in circles crazy. Not that walking and talking in circles to yourself is bad---I've been known to do that occasionally too. Husbands try to be helpful. They hope to guide you and offer advice during birth; which, can be comical since the act of giving birth on their part is to tell you to "breathe", "relax" and "you can do this." Summing up their birthing experience with "whoa that was rough" as you try to figure out how you're going to go to the bathroom since you can't move out of your hospital bed.

My sister is doing a fabulous job and being a mommy is absolutely the hardest job that I've ever taken on and it will be the hardest job she, too, will ever take on too. Being a mommy is not the Hallmark card that everyone makes it out to be. Behind those adorable photos is a mommy with unbrushed hair and a dream that one day they will pee alone.

My darling baby sister, whom I love dearly, will one day pee again, and eventually see the grocery store as a chore rather than the fantasy escape it is right now. Her sweet baby boy will right his schedule so he will sleep at night rather than all day, She and her hubby will mourn the life they had and welcome this new life they have created together. She is strong, but will learn the value in asking for help rather than suffering in silence---if she needs a break she will learn to ask for it, because being a mommy doesn't make you invincible it makes you realize that a happy mommy is good for everyone including a new daddy.

So, welcome Caden. Welcome to your family. There will be times that you won't want to claim us {I speak from experience here}, but just remember the first time we met I did NOT puke on an airplane and my make-up and hair was perfect, flawless if you will. Besides, I'm the coolest aunt you know; because I will eventually buy you that drum kit your parents never dreamed of when they bought your cousins all those light up music toys.