As I think back one year to the day Cleo was born, well my
whole life comes rushing at me.
In many ways I have to pinch myself, making sure I am not
dreaming this amazing, beautiful, chaotic, amazing, beautiful life is actually
the one I am lucky enough to live. But
this isn’t about me, even though a part of my story will be told here, this is
about celebrating our angel Cleo.
When I was a boy I couldn’t have ever imagined the grace and
beauty that my life would become. When I
spend a few moments with that thought, the emotion of how I feel, my eyes water
with tears……
Every moment I am fortunate enough to be walking each step
of this journey with my life’s partner.
She is the most amazing partner and mother. I am humbled by watching her and the grace
and poise with which she balances the world on her shoulders…..
10/1/13 - Dall's appointment with the mid-wife, at the appointment we found out she was
6 cm dilated and very much in the midst of active labor. Of course, as she does, nobody would have
known. Grace, poise, and strength. After the appointment we’d be headed off to
the labor and delivery floor of the hospital.
But first we made a stop at Taco Johns, because I was hungry and we knew
it could be a long night.
As we sat in that booth at Taco John’s we both knew the
amazing miracle that was happening.
Another miracle on her way.
This is where I have
to pinch myself, where no words can explain.
All I can try to say is that nothing I’ve ever done could ever have
deserved the abundant beauty in my life.
Last year tonight I was sitting beside her while she was in the tub with the jets on, laboring away in a silent grace that afforded smiles and laughs.
Last year tonight I was sitting beside her while she was in the tub with the jets on, laboring away in a silent grace that afforded smiles and laughs.
A few hours later, Dallas got out of the tub just as
effortlessly as she got in, then started to push.
A few pushes and short breaths later the silence of the
moment was greeted with two very small cries, as Cleo was brought up to
Dallas. I was behind Dallas, my arms
wrapped around her and Cleo. Cleo was
silent, home. Her flight just beginning
as two angles embraced.
In the year since that moment. Cleo has blossomed before our eyes, all of
our eyes. Cleo is mommy’s girl, there is
just no doubt about that. But there is
so much more………………….
Cleo is Oscar’s sanctuary.
He often retreats to her, gets down on her level and explains to her,
shows her, anything that he can. She is
already adept and receiving a handoff with the football. She is working on hiking him the ball when he
is the quarterback. Oscar also tries to
put her in the appropriate jersey for the day, even though it will be years
before they will fit. Quite simply Cleo
is Oscar’s littlest sister and he cares for her in the way the oldest brother
does. He loves her with the sweetest
hug, and knocks her over with a look of why can’t she keep her balance.
Cleo is Vivian’s baby doll, and future best partner. Vivian loves, loves, loves to carry Cleo
around. She will grab her by her belly,
her arm, her arm pit, whatever she can grab.
Vivian is forever carrying Cleo around, trying to find a space for them
to do their thing. Vivian cares for Cleo
by nursing any of her wounds, giving her things that she wants, and always
looking out for her. Quite simply Vivian’s
maternal instincts flow directly to Cleo.
It is the most amazing wonder to behold, it’s what we call love.
Cleo is Abram’s mirror/soon to be partner in crime. While Abram knows Cleo is smaller he doesn’t
treat her that way. He is quick to play
with her, quick to take from her, quick to knock her over, quick to hit her,
and even quicker to hug her. For some
reason Cleo seems to watch Abram closely and she’s definitely adopted Abram’s
beastmode approach to life. Abram’s
shown Cleo how not to be denied, and she’s been the perfect patient. She too won’t be denied. Abram’s even given her a nickname, Keeeoo.
Cleo Rose, well she is our amazing little baby girl who isn’t
so little anymore. She is well on her
way, already giving us the business, yet she still won’t stray too far from
mommy if she doesn’t have to.
Some of my favorite’s – the way she scrunches up her face,
the way she scrunches up her face and tucks her chin down when she is happy,
the way she uses my arm as her pillow at night, the way she looks at Dallas, her
sneak hugs where she leans in so close (these remind me most of when she was
born), her fearless approach to life, insisting to be doing and not watching.
Cleo Rose, happy birthday our love. We are exactly where we always needed to be.
