Liam

I thought it might be nice to give my favourite wee boy his own blog post every once in a while… after all, he is my main topic of interest these days! The highlands are beautiful, but they’ve got nothing on a human child. My little son is to me the most wonderful, intricately fashioned, miraculous example of God’s creative genius. I like to say he’s the best boy there ever was… that may be a matter of contention with other moms, but to me there’s absolutely no doubt!

Liam Timothy is now 10 and a half weeks old.  His eyes have darkened a bit but are still blue, and he still has the old man haircut he had at birth (I’m sure there’s been a bit of growth in that department, but not significant enough to be noticeable!) We went to the doctor yesterday, so I have up-to-date measurements of his height and weight: 24.4 inches, 14.4 pounds. He’s a big boy! He wears 3-6 month clothes now and, thanks to the generous hostel keepers in Skye, his wardrobe is bigger than Brendan’s and mine combined! I have fun dressing him in something new each day.

Liam’s happy disposition is becoming more and more evident as he gets older. Like any baby, he has moments of discontent (which he communicates with extraordinary vigour – I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole neighbourhood could hear him crying!!!), but for the most part he is peaceful and happy. He smiles nearly every time someone looks at him, which has the consistent effect of melting hearts. He has a bright, broad grin, and is now beginning to let out little laugh-like sounds. My favourite thing is to be greeted with a smile when I pick him up from his crib. He’ll have been crying, but when he sees me, his face lights up as if to say, “There you are! I missed you!” He doesn’t do that every time, but when he does it’s pure magic. Occasionally he even smiles up at me when I put him down for a nap, and then peacefully drifts off to sleep – could there be anything more angelic?!!

Brendan and I are also enjoying Liam’s ever-increasing use of his voice. He can go on cooing for minutes at a time, sometimes on his own, but most often when we’re holding him and responding to his conversation. He has lots to talk about – just like his dad!

Fortunately for mom, his sleep patterns are becoming a bit more regular. He now goes down for naps in his crib and will often sleep up to an hour. His nighttime sleep is also longer. He still wakes up for a night feeding, but is now going to bed a bit earlier, which gives Brendan and me some time together in the evening. He continues to nurse well, is now drooling like crazy (could it be teething already? – there seem to be little white buds quite near the surface of his gums…), seems to get stronger every day (he can actually sit for a few seconds on his own!)… and effortlessly wins the hearts of all who meet him (yes, I am a doting mama – I just can’t help it!).

When I was pregnant for Liam I used to wonder what it would be like to finally hold my child in my arms. I don’t think I could have imagined it being as moving, challenging, and wonderful as it. Being a parent is at once a rich blessing and a grave responsibility. I often look at my son and marvel at the radical freedom of each human being. Here is a tiny baby, now dependent on me for everything, but who will one day grow into a fully independent man. Brendan and I can love Liam, teach him our values, offer him guidance, but ultimately, he is free to choose his life’s path. I pray that all my children will choose to seek God and that Brendan and I will have the courage and wisdom to guide them as we ought.

Becoming a parent has also given me a much more profound appreciation for my own parents. My love for Liam is an indication to me of how much my parents love me. Once when B and I were adoring our little son I said, “I wonder if he’ll ever know how much we love him.” Brendan replied: “He will when he has kids of his own.” Parenthood requires an extraordinarily generous and selfless love – one that cannot be reciprocated by the child. I love my parents immensely, but I think their love for me will always have a unique character that I cannot emulate – except in my love for my own children. I suppose that’s how God has designed the beautiful economy of family life: parents invest time, energy, and love into their children, not so that it will be returned to them, but so that their children will go on to invest in children of their own… and in so doing come to recognize the magnitude of their parents’ love and sacrifice. I’m grateful to my parents for teaching me to be a parent myself by loving me as I grew. I consider that their greatest gift to Liam. He can’t see it yet, but he will – when he has children of his own.  

My boy is sleeping right now, and crazy as it sounds, I kind of miss him! I guess when you take the time to reflect on a blessing, its power to move you becomes even more tangible. I’m grateful to God for entrusting Liam to Brendan and me. Life is so much more beautiful because of him!

Here are a few of my favourite recent photos: