Learning love

The first week of Isaac's life is very fuzzy, as I'm sure most new mothers would attest.

For us it was even more challenging as Richie was going through the difficulty of finding out he was to be no longer employed.

I feel somber thinking back to these early days. Richie was in a daze and spent the better part of two weeks in bed or on the couch sleeping. The third night at home we had my mom come spend the night so Richie could sleep in the guest room upstairs, away from the stress of the new baby.

In a way, it breaks my heart that this was how we began the journey of parenthood together.

I know, however, that nothing in life goes as planned and that nothing is perfect.

Still, I look back with a heavy heart that my sweet Isaac's birth was overshadowed by such a devastating life event.

Some people hate the cliche that everything in life happens for a reason, but I believe it is true. From this difficult time I learned a lesson in being selfless.

Even though I was recovering from pregnancy, giving birth and stitches, all while tending to a newborn and battling an upper respiratory infection, I knew that my husband needed me more than I needed him. I sucked it up and took care of the baby 24 hours a day, made meals, kept up the house, tried to do little things to make my husband happy. I did not complain, ask for help, or do anything else to burden my husband while he searched out the meaning of what he was going through. I carried our family, even though I wasn't 100% myself, because my husband needed me to. I learned that that's what you do when you're married-- you take care of the other person when they need you most, no matter what. I love my husband and my son. And, believe it or not, I've come to love the story of Isaac's first few days because it is our story and because it shows the love and strength of our family.