Naomi

 I love my little niece like no other. I love how close Hannah and Brandon live so that I have the privilege to watch Naomi grow. I'm going to be so sad when they leave, but they're a growing family, and Brandon's schooling must accommodate.

I spent most of my day with them. Hannah is babysitting another little baby named Elianna (I think that's how you spell her name). She's precious, but I think I'm a little biased when I say that Naomi is a little princess, and therefore the best baby in the world. It's really cute, though, whenever she sees Elly - she stares at her, smiles, and then she reaches out to grab Elly as if she's a fun toy. I suppose she's not old enough yet to realize that there are other little people like her in the world!

She loves to blow raspberries. For a good half hour or so, Naomi and I blew raspberries at each other and laughed at one another. I think she's adorable. She thinks I'm funny. I love that little kid.

Here's a poem I wrote for her and her mother. No one has ever seen it except for Hannah and the people she's shown it to. Just so you're forewarned, but it's a little long, it's free verse, and I'm not the best poet in the world. However, it did come from the heart, and this a shadow of the happiness I felt when they sent me a picture of Naomi while I was in France.


Is it real?
I notice changes,
something's different -
My body is not the same -
Here's to hoping...
Are you there?

It's a positive -
The doctor is certain.
You are growing so small
Inside of me.
But it's not real -
It can't be real.
I had hoped -
But how can this truly be happening?
I am larger -
Proof that you are there.
I feel such tiny movements
Fluttering inside
But for some reason -
It doesn't feel real yet.

I hear your heartbeat,
See your tiny body -
I can't question - or doubt - it any longer.
You are truly there,
And my heart swells so much with love,
It almost hurts.
All this love, for such a little -
tiny -
Thing, it's not possible.

You grow -
My body swells -
The months fly by,
They crawl so slow.
It still feels so surreal -
Yet I know you'll be here soon.

My body pangs - contracts -
It hurts -
I cringe.
It takes so long - I want it to end -
For you to finally be here.
My gut twists - you kick -
hurts - eternal -
There's no pain like -
Nothing could have prepared -
O Father, please let this end!
Let her be here at last!

She is.
She cries.
She kicks.
She lives.

Oh, what joy! What love!
Surely no one has felt love such as this!
I kiss your little face,
Stare adoringly down at your
Perfect form.
I love you.
I love you -
More than the sun can burn its heat -
More pure than a freshly fallen blanket of snow -
More than the heart has capability to feel -
More than life itself.

I love you -
With a mother's love.

As previously mentioned, his poem bugged me on the bus after Naomi was born, and I had to write it. Obviously not a conventional poem - and obviously I am not a mother yet. This is how I imagine motherhood to be like, and that love just never stops growing. Once you think you love them, it grows ten-fold. I hope I caught the important parts.

I love you, Hannah and Naomi!

And you too, Brandon, but since you're my brother, it kinda goes without saying... ;)