Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Happy Birthday Baby!

Tobi turned 3 on Monday...months that is. (Lots more pics on Flickr) It has been so much fun getting to know this little one. She had started showing her personality more and more. It will be fun to see how much of who she is now will stay with her as she grows. She has this raspy little voice when she oohs and aahs and she has a real baby doll sounding "wah wah". She loves to sleep (just like her mama). She is pretty cautious...anything new is met with a very worried stare and a furrowed brow. She loves to be held and she loves to snuggle...she is most apt to fall asleep in the arms of her mom or dad. This might spell trouble later on...but we really like it now :)

I caught the end of Oprah yesterday and saw this video that is on YouTube of a Dad reading a letter to his son who was born with Trisomy 18...a fatal condition. I can't tell you how fast I broke into tears watching it. Ben likes to make fun of my "crying chin". When I am trying to hold back tears apparently my chin does something that he finds quite entertaining. When I watched that video I totally bypassed the crying chin and went right to sobbing. I watched the whole clip on YouTube today (because apparently I thought I needed to cry some more). It was so evident that this couple was determined to enjoy every day of the 99 miraculous days that their son lived...and in the end praised God for his short little life. I just can't imagine. I kept looking at Tobi and I had to pick her up even though she was sleeping and just hold her tight. I have seen several friends in the last few years who have gone through this same or similar kind of loss...and I can't help but wonder "why???". But the reminder to me came clear... nothing is certain except for God's sovereignty and so I will do my best to cling to Him no matter the circumstances and I will do my best to celebrate every moment I have with this precious gift.

If you want to see this amazing video you can see it here...but I warn you, you will cry or at least get a painful lump in your throat. It reminded me to really think about what can I do today to love my baby and make this day count for eternity! Blessed is the one who gives and the one who takes...blessed be the name of the Lord.