Harrison is here

Our beautiful, healthy, big boy, arrived on June 14th weighing 8lbs 9 ounces and 21 inches long. It was a much tougher labor then with Elle and I am paying for it in recovery. I am going on day 8 and still sore as can be....but Harrison Jerome Close is thriving and wonderful and I feel SO blessed that he's healthy!!!!!

We were only in the hospital for 36 hours- the hospital was packed with June deliveries so frankly, as sore as I was, I was okay with getting out of there...and home to Elle. Ted's Mom was beyond helpful. Words cannot describe how much we appreciated her help with Elle and our home and taking care of things the first week of Harrison's arrival. My husband too was amazing with his cooking and helping with Elle so I could work on nursing and resting. I'm not going to lie, I had several bouts of tears openly...I would feel sad for Elle that her life has changed (even though I know it will be amazing one day for her to have a sibling!) and that life will get stressful once I go back to work but most of all it was the aching pain in my heart that I cried over.......I missed my Mom and Dad. I miss them so much and I felt so angry and sad that they cannot be here to meet their beautiful grandchildren. Ted and I both have laid back parents and they would have both been the most wonderful grandparents, we would have all been together at the hospital, they would have stayed together at the house while we were at the hospital. Both Cindy and my Mom would have stuck around to help us out....Dad didn't like to be away from Mom so he would have stayed too helping to cook and do stuff around the house. While we were so thankful Ted's Mom was here- I am so sad my Mommy has missed this. I know how proud they would be....Dad especially. He would be bragging to all of his family and friends. They so deserved to be proud of their children and to show off their grandchildren. The wish for their presence will always be here and during such significant moments in our life, they are magnified......It's going to be hard....I will have bad days....I will think of my parents every day as I am rocking Harrison or putting Elle to bed as we pray........I just gotta hope they can see us....that they are watching over us.......

We feel so blessed for all of the love and support we have received from gifts, flowers, dinner, cards, phone calls.....we have such great friends and family. Teddy and I have so much to be thankful for, we are still so, so lucky.

I was beyond thrilled that as busy as my Sister is....she took off after soccer tryouts this past Saturday to come down for a quick visit to meet her nephew. I needed someone from my Family to be here to meet him. I was so happy.

The name Harrison, named after the lake- a place my Family has been going to for over 32 years....reminds me of my Family but mainly my Dad (Jerome).....he's got to be up in heaven smiling with such excitement about the name. It's all for you Dad......I miss you and your memory lives on through my Son.......

We thank God, our parents, family and friends for your love and support as we welcomed Harrison to the World.....my heart still aches yet I am overjoyed with how beautiful and healthy my children are.....we love you Elle Patricia and Harrison Jerome! Two lives lost.... two beautiful lives gained......

All my love,

Mommy of 2