A Week into Parenthood

It's hard to believe that we are already a week into parenthood.

I feel like we are on a crash learning course and every day brings a new experience and a new lesson that no amount of reading, interviewing other parents or watching Oprah could prepare us for.

I think I can sum it up in one word: Love

The day that Nash was born I felt like the Grinch who's heart grew 3 times the size that day!

I knew that I loved Isaac and that he would always make a wonderful father. What I didn't know is that having a child together would give him the opportunity to win my heart all over again. I am amazed at how natural this whole thing is for him and the bond he has with his son is adorable. What woman wouldn't fall for that? But what makes him irresistible is how much he has raised the bar in husbandhood. A man that says you have never looked more beautiful than the moment after giving birth, that just isn't something you can train. He was the rock of our little family that day and everyday since and I can't believe I snagged such a great guy. (He was a bit of a diamond in the rough, thank God I have always had an eye for things that sparkle.)

I had no idea I could love something so tiny so much. Even though I have heard it said many times that there is no greater love than from a parent to a child; I couldn't truly grasp this concept until Nash came into the world last week and looked up at me with those goopy eyes that said "Hello, there is nothing else on Earth that you will love as much as me."

I think I even love Tia more because she is handling the transition so well. She is super protective of Nash and has accepted him as part of our pack. She sits next to him and guards him like he is her puppy.

Today I read Nash a book that was a childhood favorite "Love You Forever" and cried massive tears of happiness, clarity and wisdom because I now understand what that book is all about.

Crying is a big thing for the Gerke family as of late. Any time I think about Isaac, Nash, the birth or anything else I cry because everything has purpose and intention now. When the Bible says the fruit of the womb is a reward, He isn't kidding. There is so much reward and knowledge in parenthood and we are just beginning.

So the big lesson this week is love. Oh, and I need to buy stock in Kleenex.