A Mother in Springtime

As our little family made its way back to the car from a Mother's Day brunch, I wanted Barbara to know how much she has learned as a mother so I listed off some of the new skills, talents and amazing abilities she has acquired in the short three months since Sanne was born. Here are just a couple:

• producing and delivering the entire food and water supply for another human being;
  


• managing to complete all of life's "pre-Sanne" errands while also performing all the requesite "with-Sanne" errands;



• keeping up with friends, family and professional contacts - Barbara just finished about 20 hours of contracting work with a former work acquaintence who needed her expertise.

This is just to name three big things. The small things are too many to count - getting oneself and a baby ready for the public and out the door could include 20 little tricks and feats.

As I continued my expression of ways in which I have watched her grow, Barbara's response was, not surprisingly, perfectly concise: "Sanne is a good teacher."

We have been amazed at the ever-evolving ways in which Sanne has been interacting with us and her world. What a gift Barbara is giving to our child! I can't help but see how all these discoveries and smiles are built on the foundation of Barbara's provisions. Our dentist would not stop telling me about Barbara's graceful efforts as a mother: "I can't believe this is her first baby- she is so natural!" I must say, I feel proud to know that she is sharing honestly.

After brunch, the three of us headed to a flower nursery that housed long rows of brightly colored flowers stretching on and on under the greenhouse roofs. We picked up some flowers to plant in baskets and pots on our back porch - what a beautiful spring day! Of course we took some photos of the mom and daughter with the lilacs.

Sanne is a good little teacher, but she has quite a student working with her! To a wonderful wife, an amazing mother, I wish a happy first Mother's Day.