A Princess through and through

Amid all of the news about Jace and our adventures in bringing him home, I want to pause to tell you a little about a truly amazing person.

Our family has gone through a lot of craziness these last few months, and sometimes things have changed at a moment's notice. And through it all, our little Addison has managed to keep a resilience that amazes me daily.

Because she wasn't/isn't allowed in certain places, there have been so many mornings Addi has waken up, not knowing whose house she is going to play at that day. Mom has had a variety of appointments, from OB, to ultrasounds for baby and blood clot, to non-stress tests. Two or three days even come to mind when we have completely disrupted her routine by needing to have her go play with a friend or her Aunt Gail with little to no forewarning. When the day of delivery came, without notice, and we had to both be at Jillian's surgery, or after, when we had to spend multiple days and nights in the hospital, and even in the following weeks when we went to the NICU to visit and feed Jace, and she couldn't join us, Addi's response was always a big kiss and a tight hug, and a reluctant, but reassuring farewell before leaving with Uncle Andy or Aunt Gail, or another friend.

In all honesty, I don't even think Addi knows what a routine is anymore. And yet, through it all, she has gone to play with someone else, and sometimes even spent one or more nights away from her bed, her toys, and her family, all with the strength of someone so much older than she is or should have to try to be.

When Jillian has been too sick to get out of bed because of her pregnancy or her blood clot, or an excruciating combination of both, Addi has played by her bedside. When Jillian needed me to give her shots twice a day to treat her blood clot, Addi would hold her hand through the injections. When emotions would run high and Jillian or I would try to find a moment to cry, Addi would be there to reassure us that "It's okay." And it was Addi, who reminded us, after Jillian came home from the hospital and I said that we were all together again, that "We're not a family, though" because Jace wasn't home with us yet.

A four year old should be at least a little selfish, defiant, or adamant that she get her way. And while Addi has had moments where she acts out for need of attention, doesn't want us to leave her, asks when I'll be home from work, or asks where Mommy is when she's at the hospital with Jace, in general I see a wise understanding in her eyes that knows we're doing the best we can right now; that knows we've promised things will be back to normal again soon, and trusts and believes us; that plays hard with us when she has our attention so she can hold onto it when we can't be with her.

And most importantly, she looks forward to being a big sister, and the responsibility it brings--she is excited to help with Jace, and when the time comes, teach him how to make his way through this wonderful, crazy life.

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little girl in our home, who has such a big heart and wonderful spirit. We love her so much!

Our little family, before Jace was born:

She got to visit Jace twice in the 2 1/2 weeks he was in the NICU, and see him through a window.

So excited for Christmas!

watching the Christmas tree, in her new Christmas pajamas:

with her friend Landon:

Finally united with her brother:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)