Ima Hold YOUR Hand

On Valentine's Day we went into labor. Heather started early contractions just before I left to get Novali. I took Cruz with me, so it was just Anita and Heather at home with some peace and time together for a while as we knew baby was coming soon...

As we came back to South Bend, I explained to Cruz that mama was ready to have the baby. He replied, "Baby gonna pop out?" I told him having the baby was hard work, and that his mama's tummy would be hurting when we got home. I was trying to prepare him for watching Heather have contractions. I told him no jumping on mama when we got home, he had to be gentle with his mama and be very nice.

We got home, I put the infant seat base into the van and Novali was a huge help helping with bags, Cruz and packing. Anita was ready to see her next grandchild and helped give directions to Greg who was driving in and got things ready.

Novali holding Mari while Cruz gives her a kiss.

As we got to the hospital Heather's contractions were hot and heavy, and I have never seen Cruz so quiet. Novali was a trooper and was carrying several bags when our nurse came. Then Cruz as always impressed me... no not by his dare devil ability to jump off things without thinking, or his ability to fall down things without a flinch...

Heather was in a wheel chair being taken upstairs, we were following and I had my hands full but trying to hold on to him... and he let go and ran forward... watching him being run over by the wheel chair flashed in my imagination..

He yelled for his mama.... "Ima hold YOUR hand."

At the time I just wished I had a hand free to snap a pic. I don't think I even really caught what he said until later when I told the story. Then it hit me, it was maybe the first time that Cruz didn't hollar for his mama to hold his hand. We have been worried about how he would react to his baby sister, to not being the baby in the home, to having to share his mama with a new little person...

I think we will be fine, actually, yeah we will be good. Cruz will be a great big bother, and it will help him grow up. Novali has role modeled for him how to be a super big sister, and I know those two will help raise our little Mari.

Welcome to the world Marisa Hope Centellas. Thanks for joining us, we love you, and whenever you need, Cruz will be there to hold YOUR hand.