He's who made me who I am

It was a cold, cold January day.  I was exhausted, aching, teary, full of wonder and absolutely scared to death. 

The truth is, Grady's birth wasn't the only one that happened that day.  There's a moment for everyone the first time you hold that person in your hands-- the moment your old self dies and your new self is born. 

For the first few months, you, too, are brand new in the world.  You don't know how to react anymore.  Your old self was calm, cool and collected.  Your new self, like your new baby, just cries a lot. 

And then you, too, begin to meet your milestones.  Nobody tells you much about these.  You won't find "What to Expect Now That You are Solely Responsible For the Physical, Emotional and Moral Well-Being of Another Person" between "A Guide to Natural Childbirth" and "Your Baby's First Year" on the bookshelf at Barnes and Noble.  You just learn, slowly, that just like your baby, you can hold your head up more steadily, focus on what's in front of you, put one foot in front of the other. 

If parenthood is a state of being-- well, as your get up each day (and each night) slowly, you become more than you ever knew you could be. 

And your heart grows, and grows, and grows.

Happy Mother's Day!