just babies...

my dad was the only one
in the room when my mom died
she would do this thing
where she would inhale
then stop
and everyone in the room
would hold their breath with her
(you are doing it right now aren't you?)
and a few seconds later
after what felt like an eternity
she would exhale
well
this one last time
she inhaled
and nothing
no exhale
but dad said
while waiting for that exhale
he heard a baby cry down the hall
it was just after midnight
in hospice at st joe
not a lot of babies up and about
but he heard this one loud and clear
just as mom left this world...
dad always said they should put
the oldest
sickest patients
on the same floor as the newborn babies
nothing like a
fresh
brand new
no hate
no prejudices
little thing
to put things into perspective...
i have been blessed to have 8
yes eight
8
OCHO
of these little things come into my life
in just the past year
admittedly
i don't get to see all of them
as much as i'd like
and one
one who was just born a few days ago
he'll be seeing a lot of his aunt Bee
but no matter where they fall
in big Rhonda's life
they are all loved
and precious
and i look forward to watching them
all grow up
i look forward to high school graduation announcements
and standing in my kitchen
after opening it
saying to heather
can you believe this
how old are we???

ian and hudson

ian and huddy
heather's my friends were blessed with not only one but two
beautiful boys
which is great because when we visit
heather and i don't fight over getting to hold/play with the baby
you know you want to chew on those cheeks...

cameron

cameron
i work with his dad
used to work with his mom
don't get to see him in person very much
but see pics and hear stories from his dad all the time
he's gonna be a heartbreaker...

london

london
i work with his mom
this pic was taken about a month ago
he has grown so much in just a month
he still doesn't know what to make of me
laugh or cry...

zane

zane

big Z

his dad is a server at the pub

his mom is a bartender at the pub

so of course

he's family

beautiful blonde Blonde BLONDE hair

and he loves lemons

keeps him from getting too fussy...

owen

owen

my cousin's little boy

still can't believe that she's old enough

to have one of these

but here he is

strutting his stuff

hello ladies...

mia

mia
i work with mia's mom
she's just a month old
she's already got her dukes up
she's ready to grow up surrounded
by these boys...

coleson jay

coleson jay
i will admit
i am a little biased on this guy
he's the brand new baby boy
of two of my very best friends
and i love them both so much
and now
there's this little guy
and
O
M
G
look at those lips...

me

me
i was little
and cute
once...

something about the fresh start
these little things
don't know anything
but what we teach them
and i'm happy to know
there are 8 new little humans
in big Rhonda's world
that are being taught
nothing but love...

i'll be waiting for my graduation invitation...