Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Child is Born


When I was six years old, my mother had her fifth baby (I was the eldest)--a boy named Tyler. He was MY baby as far as I was concerned. I helped feed him, change him, hold him, and mothered him as only a big sister can. He was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.
Well, that little baby has grown up and today, he became a daddy. He and his wife, Erika, welcomed their first son into the world in the wee small hours of the morning. I had taken my cell phone to bed with me, hoping I'd get a text message when the little one had arrived. All day Monday I prayed for Erika, that the baby would be well, that she would be well, that we would have good news soon. So I was relieved to finally get the text message at 4:00 am that he had arrived safe and sound.
I don't mean to be stealing Tyler's thunder by posting about this. I know that he has uploaded pictures to his blog but hasn't had time to post yet. I will leave him to fill you in on all of the details, just give him a day or so more to soak in his new baby and to bring Erika and Scottie home from the hospital. I am just so filled with gratitude that baby Scottie is here and has joined our family. A new baby is such a miracle, and especially through those harrowing hours of labor you imagine all the things that could go dreadfully wrong and pray that none of them will.
Now Tyler and Erika have so many wonderful things to look forward to. I'm not talking about the sleepless nights and the two-year-old tantrums and the teenage rebellions. I'm talking about the tightening in your chest when you think of anything being less than perfect in this child's life. I'm talking about the lightness in your heart when you hear your baby laugh, or when you see his eyes light up at the sight of your face. I'm talking about the sweetness of seeing your child gently kiss a new baby brother or sister, sensing that even as toddlers, they feel the miracle of a new baby. I'm talking about watching your child accomplish something that was hard for them and seeing the pride on their faces as they look to you to celebrate with them.
Welcome to parenthood, Erika and Tyler. Enjoy the journey. It may be the hardest thing you ever attempt, but it will also be more rewarding than any job, any educational achievement, any thing you can create. It will make you hurt like nothing has hurt before and love like you've never loved before. It is a blessing from God to be a parent, and it is His plan for us. And welcome to the world, baby Scottie!

14 comments:

Suldog said...

Congratulations, Auntie!

Anonymous said...

SWEET!
Love,
Papa

Kasey said...

Hi! I was just on the Russia Yekat website and saw that you had updated your profile. It sounds like things are going well for you! Love your blog!
Kasey (Hunter) Hansen

Rebecca said...

I can almost smell that new baby smell! Sweet Scottie!
Congratulations to all the family.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Michal,

Congratulations to Tyler and Erika. No, you HAVEN"T stolen their thunder - but you have revelled in their joy and that is the greatest blessing a sibling can ask for.

My older brothers (much older then me) looked/look on me in much the same way you regard Tyler as being yours.

God bless the family that fosters so much love and protection.

Keep smiling

David

Anonymous said...

He looks perfect...What a blessing our little ones are...

Mandy

mahina said...

that was very sweet! congrats to the new parents!

Michal said...

kasey,
you are a blast from the past! i'm so glad you came by. i wandered over and checked out your latest post on your cousins' blog. what a doll your daughter is.

Michal said...

david,
thank you for the sweet words. i'm glad that you have an older brother who loves you as much as i love my younger siblings. families are such a blessing.

Michal said...

suldog, papa, rebecca, mandy, mahina . . .
thanks for caring!

A mother heart said...

Michal-I just found your blog from teh mission website. What a sweet family! It sounds like you guys rea doing really well!
I just started a blog myself. I hope you don't mind but I added yours as a link on mine. I have enjoyed reading the posts about your fam.

A mother heart said...

Another comment---I just noticed Kasey's post (and your reply). That is a blast from the past. I wondered what happened to her. It's fun to see what old comps are up to now!

Michal said...

aubrey,
i'm so glad i updated my profile on the mission web site--i'm finding old friends. good luck with the end of your pregnancy.

david mcmahon said...

How's Scottie doing? Thriving, I'm sure ....

He has well-wishers from all round the world now!