Baby Love

 

My sweet little baby son, K, is such a delight.  He has come such a long way since we first met him in Ethiopia 2 and a half months ago.  Then, at 8 months, he could barely hold his head up, he could not sit up or hold any weight on his legs, he gave no real eye contact and he shook his head side to side, side to side to soothe himself.

I cannot believe he is the same child!  He sits up, rolls over, crawls backwards, eats solid foods, screams (as you all know), is getting some very delicious baby fat, signs the words "milk" and "eat" appropriately,  puts weight on his legs and even bounces.  His eye contact is still not 100%, but so, so much better.  He also has three little games he initiates with me that just melt my heart .... blinking several times so I'll do the same, lowering his forehead towards me so I will bump foreheads with him and smiling the sweetest smile while doing a little dance so that I will reciprocate.  He loves being held.  He loves rubbing our faces together.  He lights up when I come into a room.  He squeals with laughter when I kiss his neck.

The first few weeks home, I took care of him, looked after him, but felt almost numb to what was happening in my life.  Then one day, without warning, "baby love" hit me so hard it hurt.  I was surprised by a primal, hormonal, emotional and physical love for this baby.  He didn't return the feeling immediately, but I can tell something has happened between us in the last few weeks.  He is learning what it is like to have a mommy (and a daddy, too!), what it means to be loved and to have security.  He is blossoming in that love and feelings I can't even put into words are blossoming in me, too.  Baby love.  I recommend it.

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*** Coming soon:  Loving a Three Year Old