My youngest brother and his wife welcomed their first child on October 8. Thumbelina was born a bit early and is tiny, but at almost 5 pounds is doing fine. Isn't she a cutie? (I think she looks like Charming's baby pictures, but I really can't say yet.)
Thinking about them bringing home their new baby, I couldn't help but think about how it felt when I was bringing home new babies. That season of our lives passes so quickly, yet, as we're living it, we can't see it ending. So, hopefully, Thumbelina is keeping her parents on their toes and they are availing themselves of their digital camera every chance they get, because she's truly changing before their eyes and, before they know it, she won't be a baby any more.
In 1991, we had Charming. He was one week old in this picture. Look how small he was compared to Superman's hands. (Who would have guessed this tiny little baby would have become a 6'5" man? I certainly couldn't have imagined it.)
When we had Valiant in 1996, we finally had to admit that Charming wasn't a baby anymore. This picture was taken when Valiant was 5 weeks old and Charming was 5 years old. We were doing the Derby Days 5K in Santa Anita. It was so fun. Look how tiny Valiant was...Charming was a big boy...almost through kindergarten already.
And, three years later, we welcomed Buttercup to our growing family. In this picture, she is three weeks old and sleeping on Superman. (Dad is always the most comfortable bed.)
It had been 8 years since we'd brought Charming home from the hospital. A lot can happen in 8 years, can't it? Charming was in 3rd grade and Valiant was 3 years old.
(Buttercup looksa bit concerned at Valiant's grip, doesn't she?) This picture was taken more than 10 years ago...Charming is a man now and Valiant is already almost as tall as I am. Buttercup doesn't think she's the baby of the family (and won't accept it when we tell her she'll always be the baby of the family.)
So, all I have to say to my brother and his wife? Just don't blink, because before you know it, that baby girl will be all grown up and you'll wonder where the time went.
