Something I could get used to ...

I really haven't had a lot of experience with babies. I was quite the nervous one the first time I got to hold Julia Hope, our sweet two-month old niece. I have to admit that I was a little terrified. She is so small and I didn't know which hand to put where, how tight to hold her, how to support her head or if she would just burst into uncontrollable tears. She just stared.

Last night, Julie and I headed over to her sister's for a chance to play with our nephews and enjoy a little pizza. Julie's first task with Julia Hope was to see if she could coax her into taking a bottle. To-date, this had been a tricky task, but Julie is the master of getting things done when she puts her mind to it. After a little work, Julia Hope took the bait and begin to chug (there's no other way to describe it) that bottle. During a burp break, Julie asked me to hold the bottle. I took the opportunity to kneel down to Julie Hope's level and make a fool of myself. I played peep-eye and made a crazy sounds as I rocketed the baseball cap off of my head. She started laughing a little at first (the baby that is) and finally worked up such a hearty laugh she got the hiccups. It was adorable. It made Julie laugh, too.

Julie was taking her time holding the baby, but I could tell she was getting a little tired of walking around, so I quickly offered my shoulder and a pair of fresh legs. Julia Hope was a little fussy by now and I figured at some point I'd better learn to take care of a crying baby. With the proper placement of a burp cloth, I took her in my arms and just enjoyed the moment. There's nothing like the smell of a baby's head. She was so soft in my arms and I loved feeling her little heart beat against my chest. We walked, swayed, bounced and rocked until she finally fell asleep. I took the time to sit in the recliner with her and enjoy the moment. She stayed like that for 20 minutes, laying on my chest. I just tried to take in the whole moment. The way her little body would rise and fall with each breath, the little coo occasionally as she slept, and a deep hope and desire to feel these same moments with my little one not too far away.

Turner continues to grow. He's gotten to be a better kicker! Like an alarm clock, he kicks at Julie every morning before the real alarm goes off. I can even feel him more. We're lucky to have my parents down this weekend. It was so nice to see Julie and my mom enjoying their crocheting time together. There will be lots of great baby blankets produced in the coming months! My dad and I got to rest as they shopped. I can't wait to see them hold little Turner, too.