Tears swell in my eyes just looking at these pictures. When did she grow up? What happened to that infant that was dependent upon mommy and daddy for literally everything?!
I can picture the day she was born like a page of a favorite childhood book that I rehearsed routinely. After nearly being in labor for 14 hours and pushing for an hour and a half, Ryleigh's heart rate continued to fluctuate with every push. The doctors wheeled me away for a c-section. By this time, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. The thoughts of "this is it" and "I'm not ready" and "my baby?" were flooding my feeble mind.
Within moments I heard a cry. In that second in time, all fears and doubts from carrying a child for 9 months ceased. That cry was my baby, our baby, Ryleigh Jo. A natural, motherly, pure instinct was mine. I was a mother designated and chosen by our heavenly Father to love, protect, and care for this baby.
Jump two and three quarters years later to the present day. A potty-trained, walking, and continuously talking toddler who enjoys to sing, laugh, pray, and play.
Where does the time go? I know that question has become such a cliche, but seriously, where did that time go?!
Motherhood is the most amazing experience of life that God has blessed me with. I love Ryleigh, every little thing about her. The cross of calvary is so much more significant knowing and experiencing parenting. To give up my child for someone else, wooh. Don't ask me to do that. That may sound selfish, but it's honest and real.
"Cleaning and dusting will wait for tomorrow...But babies grow up as I've learned in sorrow...So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep...I'm rocking my Baby...and Babies don't keep!"
