She’s always right there.
Just a few feet away.
Crawling around.
Smiling.
Looking like a hot mess.
A happy, happy kid.
With the world’s most infectious laugh.
We often look over and exclaim “Hi Jilly!”
She grins and waves excitedly.
Sometimes we forget that we have to be intentional in how we include her.
Sometimes we forget how much she does understand.
Sometimes we forget that she is, in fact, three and a half years old.
A little girl. Not a baby.
Daddies are amazing at remembering.
Because if you could hear the giggling…the absolute delight that squealed from this little girl’s heart…and you could hear the cheering and clapping from her brother and sister…
The sweetest sound. Heaven must be just like this.
I love how they delight with their little sister.
As I stood in the doorway watching the scene…a daddy holding his girl waaay up high…miniature cheerleaders on the sidelines…I caught my breath.
Daddies have a way of loving their babies in a way that is so different than mommies, don’t they?
We knew nothing of what was going on with this little pink ball of girl in those early days.
All we knew was to love her fiercely.
And really, not much has changed since those days in the NICU. We may have formal diagnosis’, plans, and precautions, but we still don’t know exactly what the future will hold.
Even the best team of doctors lack a crystal ball.
All we know is to love her fiercely.
Gentle reminders of just how to do that sneak into our days. Like nudgings to scoop her up and let her rebound.
And, for as sappy and all around 1980’s cheese as it may be…I instantly thought of this scene. And wondered what Jill’s version will look like in 20 years.
Cue the tears.
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Gosh Darn It. I just put my mascara on this morning, and I’m already crying. That was me and my Dad, 4 months ago. Thanks for sharing, Jeannett!
Leah @ Floral+Ivory´s last blog post ..How Christmas Went For Us + A Year in Review // 2012
awe how sweet! what a beautiful family you have:)
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Love it. And I completely agree. I love my husband the most when I see him with our 3 girls, or when he is doing boy stuff with Donovan.
Mari´s last blog post ..Donovan is 4!
Tears and smiles.
I think there’s many kinds of love – of course we do love our kids with the same strength, sometimes just different type. Mum loving her son is not the same as the love between a dad and his son or daughter. It’s really, really beautiful…:)
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So true. Love this and love that movie…all time fav. Thanks for sharing your life with us. You inspire me!
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LOVEEEEEEE!!!!!! LOVE! Love it so much!!!!!!
Awwwww! I agree – the love between Miss A and her dad is unique to them. Jilly’s gonna Tear. It. Up. on the bball court.
Cheers,
Caryl
Loving this!!
This is one beautiful blog post. I wish a lot of people will see what you see in many children. The video is very touching too. I bet in 20 years, Jill will be able to hit the hoops. Is basketball Jill’s favorite sport?