She is magical, this one. I can tell in her cry. Robust and sure of herself, and it’s only the first minute of her life. Isabella was born on 7/20/2009 at 9:07a.m. weighing in at 7 lbs 9 ounces. We all joked that someone should play the lotto. My compadre went ahead and did it for fun and he won! We all felt like winners that day. A smooth delivery and healthy baby and Mom. What more could we wish for?
I recall her laugh, in the middle of the night, during a bonding breast-feeding moment. I took a look at her as I pulled her away from me and she belly laughed, only a couple chuckles but enough to fill my weary heart with so much joy. She was days old, when most babies just smile, she openly laughed. She was already so very extraordinary, this one.
I had been a mother before, twice, in fact. One via birth and one inherited-both very unique journeys but none like this one. It would be my last hurrah as a mommy. I was done after this one. She would be my last little delicious bite into motherhood. I wanted to savor every moment of it, I still relish in that to this day. We waited just a little longer than we should have to take her bottle away, her favorite blanket and Mr. Pink (if you know, you KNOW) because-why not? Let’s stretch the moment.
She is my little artist. Isabella creates with tact and grace. She pours love into her baked goods and then sits back to take in the delight all over your face as you take your first bite. She adds little touches, making the goody her own little canvas. Her offering of love, made with her careful hands and overflowing heart. Colors awaken her, she doesn’t have a favorite because she believes they should all be celebrated and featured in their own special light. And she is absolutely right.
This month she will be a year older, another year further from being Mami’s baby. She may need me less each day but in a peculiar way, I need her all the more. Isabella has challenged me and molded my heart in ways only she was created to do. I am grateful for the lessons during this journey of ours. Each of my children are so different and bring up different versions of me. I suppose that is as it should be. Growth in three different ways, none better than the other… All three most definitely all necessary to my core.
Isabella told me once that when she was with God in heaven, she looked down and picked me as her Mommy. That she has loved me since before she was born. That’s the kind of love she came to bring into our world. A celestial one.
Vida Taina Luz 