Saturday, August 15, 2009

To Jacob on his Brithday

My Precious Big Boy Jacob,
I don’t even know where to begin. I love you so much, and am so thankful that God gave us you…precious, personable, perfect you. You are more than I ever could have hoped for in a child.
Exactly three years ago from this very moment the doctors were getting Mommy ready to have you. They opened my tummy like a present, and Daddy and I received the best gift of all….You.

Daddy and I waited for you for so many years. We didn't even think it was possible for Mommy to have you. In fact, that I DID have you was purely a miracle. It took every ounce of strength I had, every ounce of miraculous energy that God could give me, to grow you and keep you safe until you were born.

And what a moment. When I saw you for the first time, I had never known such love. I immediately had a better understanding of God’s love for His children…what a profoundly overwhelming feeling. When you had to stay in the NICU, Mommy was so sad. I cried every day when I had to leave you there, all alone. I prayed every day that God would make you strong. I covered your crib in Scripture verses. I counted the days and watched as you got stronger and stronger. Seeing you on the vent, all the tubes and wires...it was SO scary and sad. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that you WOULD get better. I called the NICU every night before we went to sleep to check on you and make sure your were still doing okay.

You were the only baby in there on a vent...which was ironic because you were so big you wouldn't even fit in the isolets. All these teeny tiny 2 pound babies were breathing on their own, and here's my big ol' 8 1/2 pound lug on a vent.

Mommy felt so guilty because it was my antibodies that were making you sick. You had transient neonatal myasthenia gravis. We knew that as soon as my antibodies were out of your system, you would be fine. But for the time being, you were weak and floppy...but you were so observant. Even when you were very first born you looked at everything. You observed everything. You loved lights, and when we put the mobile in your big boy crib in the NICU, you just came alive.

I held you every day, whether you were on the vent or not...I just had to. This tiny life, one that I had helped create, this huge shock of thick black hair, the bluest eyes I had ever seen...my gorgeous, precious, perfect child. We took you home after 36 days. It was the second happiest day of my life. Now I want to wrap you in bubble wrap and keep the whole world away so you don't get sick or hurt. But oh, what the world would miss out on!

As I watch you grow, I am so thankful every single day for you. You bring me so much joy. God blessed me with a such a smart, healthy, beautiful, funny, busy, perfect little boy. I would do anything for you. I would give my very life for you. I can't believe you are three years old. You are such a big boy. My heart is in my throat, and tears well in my eyes as I think of you. You are my priceless son, and I thank God for every minute I have you.

Love
Mommy

9 comments:

Young Wife said...

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

The Silver Age Sara said...

Happy Birthday Jacob. You wrote such a moving, beautiful post. Our children are so precious to us from the minute they are conceived and you expressed that love so wonderfully.

Thanks for visiting me. I love SITS because I discover all new wonderful blogs such as yours.

Rachel Lundy said...

Happy Birthday to your little boy!

Praise the Lord for His blessings.

Just Lisa said...

Happy birthday to Jacob! What a beautiful birth story!


I came by to welcome you to SITS! We're happy to have you with us!

Kerri said...

Thank you Ladies!

Carma Sez said...

What a wonderful tribute to your handsome boy :-)

Stopping by from SITS to say welcome! I know that you will enjoy being a part of this vibrant community of bloggers!

Penelope said...

This is just a beautiful post!

Happy birthday to Jacob, and welcome to SITS!

Pam said...

Kerri,
What a wonderful way to express your love for Jacob on his special birthday! I love how you explained when the doctors opened you up like a present and Jacob is the gift! That is how I feel about each one of our special children as Gifts from God!
You are a beautiful testimony of God's love and it shows in your writings!
Thank you for sharing your "song" as my daughter would say with all of us!
I love you, little sister (yes, I am claiming you, even though we are not blood sisters we are sisters in the Lord and since your my sister in loves little sister I feel like I can all you that too!)
You have been through so much and you shine so brightly for Jesus~ I am giving thanks for you and for Jacob's three years, and for your precious hubby too!

said...

Happy birthday Jacob!

And welcome to SITS to you!

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