Looking into his face for the first time I felt that gush of unconditional love overcome my heart, an emotion you never truly know until you hold your child. I think back to that warm July evening when I first held my little man, Trey. I never knew how much one person could love another until I had my first child. I have an amazing Husband who I am completely in love with but he can not hold a flame to my children. It is just a different kind of love that a Mother has for her precious babies.
Trey had spent the last 18 months filling our home with laughter and love but I could not help but wonder how he would react. I asked Warren to drive to pick up Trey while Brandon and I were in recovery. I could not wait to have our entire family together. We tried to prepare Trey for the new baby but how do you prepare an 18 month old toddler to share his life, his parents and his home with a new baby?
Brandon and I took this time to get to know each other.
Just before being wheeled upstairs Christine arrived. She is a friend of ours who happens to be a fantastic photographer. The original plan was to have her photograph the birth but that was not going to happen with a c-section. I was so excited when I heard her voice on the other side of the curtain! I can not wait to see her photos.
After arriving upstairs Brandon visited with Christine before Helen and Kasen arrived. Kasen was in heaven with all the cool buttons on my bed, he had to inspect and be sure everything was up to code. He is such a great kiddo and I am so happy he and his family are a part of our lives. Helen and I met in lamaze class while we were pregnant with Trey and Kasen. She was due the day after I was but delivered 11 days before would. It is so nice having a close friend who truly knows what you are going through and the boys (even the big ones) have so much fun together. Everything from that point was a blurr until my boys arrival. I was so anxious to have the four of us all together in the same room that it was all I could focus on.
Finally, the door swung open and there were the two men in my life, Trey and Warren. Fighting back my tears I could see Trey was excited to see Kasen but then he saw his Mommy in the big hospital bed and all the wires. It seemed to catch him off guard as he went right into shy mode.
Everyone watched as Trey climbed up into his Daddy's lap and watched that baby in Daddy's other arm. So far no fits so we are doing good, right?? I was still fighting the tears as a mixture of emotions and hormones rolled through my body. I now had three beautiful men with whom I could share my life. Warren and I had two beautiful boys to watch and help blossom into the people they were meant to be. Two absolutely wonder baby boys!
Kasen and Trey inspect the baby together. You have to love the krinkled up nose as Kasen points out his own nose. Trey on the other hand was staying in his shell.
Can you tell how excited I was to have all THREE of my boys together?! Helen took this photo when Brandon was about 4 hours old.
As soon as everyone left Trey began to warm up. I just think the entire situation was very overwhelming for such a little guy.
Then it was time for a little snack. Yummy Bunnies!
Someone discovered the stash of snacks Mommy had packed for him in her suitcase...
The next few hours were spent getting to know each other. Brandon did a lot of snuggling and Trey ignored him while going about his own business of a follow up inspection. Just in case Kasen missed anything. I was trapped in bed and often felt like an observer simply watching my boys from the outside. Warren was filled with so much love for both his boys and just listening to his "chats" with them brings tears to my eyes. Trey and Brandon are truly lucky to have such a great Father.
During Brandon's first bath, around 5pm, Trey's big brother side surfaced.
He became very concerned when he heard Brandon's cries. After climbing up into bed with me he reached out for his baby Brandon. He wanted to comfort his little brother.
This is the turning moment, our new family of four became one.
Trey was a very happy boy again and it seemed as though everything would be ok.
Suddenly, in the middle of a song and dance, he blurted out "Hi Brandon!" and I couldn't get the camera on fast enough. (This was the first time Trey had bothered to put someone's name after Hi) Kisses would follow.
Later, that evening Linz showed up to meet our newest addition. Unfortunately he was in the nursery having his oxygen levels checked. But, she came back the next afternoon to meet him!
Trey spent most of the day with Linz and her youngest, Ashley, who turns 2 in a few weeks. Her oldest Rissa was at MDO so it was just the littles. Trey even went to Target for a bit of Linz bargain shopping. (yes Linz shopping is in a class all by it's self) The kids came home with the cutest boots! Trey has a pair of Firemen rain boots and loves stopping around the house in them. Thank you so much Linz. (I need to load a picture of his boots)I was so happy to get such a possitive report back from Linz, but she could have just been being nice :P She said Trey was a very good little boy and was no trouble at all. She even said she would watch him anytime. I am just glad he didn't drive her into a padded cell :)
Let me just show you the comfy night gown Linz brought me the next day. I didn't take it off until it was time to go home. I just showered and put it back on it was so cozy. I hate those gowns they give you to wear. They are so itchy and in no way comfortable. Not to mention, they are even worse when you are trying to breastfeed. I am so grateful to have a friend like Linz in my life!
That night after Trey and Warren left for the evening, I finally let all my emotions from the day out. I had tears of joy as I cuddled skin to skin with Brandon. I knew we were all going to make it and I had not "destroyed" my Trey's world. No, Warren and I had opened his world wide to a whole new set of possibilities. Trey had in no way been replaced. He is my first born and has his own special place in my heart that no one else could ever replace. He is my little man and he is now growing in another part of his life, as a big brother. This is a title he is taking very seriously as no one takes his little brother out of his sight without his approval. Knowing our newest addition had been welcomed into the world by all of his little family, Brandon and I settled in for the evening.
Good night Daddy and Trey, we love you!
