So I haven’t been entirely truthful on my blog. The truth
is, I had a baby long before my bean and my bug arrived.
It’s not as scandalous as it sounds.
When I was twelve, and my brother was ten, my mom and dad
discovered that they would be adding another child to our family. This was a
bit of a shock to my mom, and quite puzzling to my dad, considering he had
undergone a vasectomy 7 years prior.
Nonetheless, God had decided that our family was not yet complete. So at
34, my momma grew one more baby in her womb.
And my dad had another vasectomy.
Marcella Grace arrived on an early morning in July. I
remember my dad waking me up in the wee hours of the morning to tell me my
mom’s water had broken. I recall jumping straight out of bed, yelling “what do
I do??!”. And my dad chuckling and suggesting maybe I get dressed first.
Hers was the first birth I witnessed. My mom was amazing. A
rock. And I so better appreciate that now, having gone through labour and birth
myself. That sweet baby arrived quickly and healthy.
And an instant and fierce bond was formed between that
little baby and me. My sister. My first baby.
My Marci.
Most of what I learned about taking care of an infant I learned from my mom; from helping to care for my baby sister. It was like having a live doll really, and what twelve year old girl wouldn’t delight in that? I changed innumerable diapers, swaddled like a pro, and was quite thrilled with her full head of hair that had to be accessorized. I potty trained, taught abc’s, and brought that little girl with me wherever I could.
Marci was a sweet, very happy, and easy baby. She quickly
grew independent (something to do with having four parents?) and filled our
lives with joy.
Having a sibling who is twelve years younger than you is a
unique experience. Marci and I had a completely different relationship than my
brother and I (who was only 2 years younger than me). I was Marci’s second
mama.
My new
husband and I moved to a town 40 minutes away, and I know that baby girl spent
a lot of nights crying in her bed for me.
And so it is with extreme excitement, and so many more emotions
that I am looking forward to this Fall. My first baby is no longer a baby and
is starting her undergraduate degree (making me feel way too old).
Marci applied, and was accepted to a number of universities,
one of them located in our city. To my delight, she decided to attend the
university in our city, even though she will be a two hour plane ride away from
our parents, her boyfriend, and friends. AND she is going to be living with us!
Not much has changed about Marci. My sister is still sweet
and easy-going. She is one of the most levelheaded and mature 18 year olds I
know; a logical thinker who has the same empathetic heart of gold that my
brother has.
And I am going to be reunited with her, after 9 years of
living apart; 7 years of living in different provinces.
I can’t wait.
The Doctor’s schedule is only growing busier, and I find
myself lonely a lot. My sister is going to be great company. And my baby girls will get to really know their
aunt, which I am so excited about.
I am so looking forward to just hanging out with her. To
drinking hot drinks together, watching girly movies, and just being involved in
her life. Living far apart these past years has not afforded us much one-on-one
time together. I miss her. I miss all my family. And I can’t wait to be
together again.
Baby girl, we have a lot of hanging out to catch up on.
