October 14, 2008

Reese

Reese, today you are one year old. This weekend we celebrated your special day while you were surrounded by friends and family. Everyone that loves you most in the world was there. All except for two.



Two people, who will play a big role in your life without you even knowing it, your birth parents. You see, bug, you didn’t grow in mommy’s belly, you grew in Keely’s belly. She took you in and took care of you before you were born. She felt your first sign of life. She was the first one to hear your heart beat. She was the one that you kept up at night while you kicked and hiccuped inside her. It was her voice you heard first. Her voice that told you that she loved you and would forever. And ever. For nine months, you two were connected in a way that I will never know. You were there with her always. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.


Keely gave you that smile, those pouty lips, your little laugh, that beautiful head of blonde hair. She gave you long fingers and two big toes that continuously curl upward. She gave you your curious nature and your ability to work a small crowd and make them love you instantly.

Your birth father, Tim, gave you your love of adventure, sense of humor and beautiful blue eyes. We often hold him responsible for the times you take off in a high speed crawl down the hall while we chase after you or when you climb up the stairs faster than I could ever imagine you should. You are an independent spirit and so full of life. You have received all of these wonderful traits from your both of your birth parents.

But, perhaps the greatest gift they gave you, is the one I never saw coming. When they placed you with your daddy and me, they gave you the opportunity to have a big brother. I know it sounds strange to say that Henry might be the greatest gift, but hear me out. It’s unexplainable, the expression on your face, when you see him for the first time in the morning. Your little eyes just light up and begin dancing right in front of me. I know it’s typical for the younger child to look up with fondness to their older sibling, but somehow I feel this is different. At such a young age, I could see love registering on your face. Love. It’s so powerful, and I see it whenever you see your brother.


Sometimes I catch the two of you playing together in your room. I watch Henry as he hands you toys and describes them to you. Sometimes he steals them back from you, and then some. It just doesn’t matter to you, little bug, you still have the same look of adoration on your face as you watch him.

Yes, there are times, more often than not, that he complains that you are too loud or he protests if you even so much as look in his general direction. But, little girl, there are so many times, when he hears you fuss that he bolts into his room to grab Lightning McQueen, his most favorite toy of all, the very one he keeps out of your reach. He hands it to me and tells me “Reesie wants this. This will make her happy.”

Reese, I’m so happy you found us. It took a strange twist of fate, a long journey to the Rockies and two people who loved each other very much to bring you to us. My life changed the day I opened that deli door and saw your birth mom standing there waiting to meet us. She had your little grin, your nervous giggle and your contagious laugh. As we talked over lunch, she ran her hands over her belly and talked about you and her as “us” as a “team“. I loved that you two had a bond already.

I can’t bear to know what it was like for her those last few days or weeks before you were born. My heart doesn’t dare to go there. I can’t imagine her journey knowing that she would soon have to say goodbye and trust someone else to love you just as much as she does.


Reesie, today is your day. It always will be. But every October 14th, a piece of my heart will be tugging for someone else. Someone who loved you, someone who was brave for you, someone who stood up for you, someone who protected you and someone who took care of you before I could. Reese, it is my wish, that somewhere in the back of you mind, you will always hear Keely’s voice whispering that she loves you forever. And ever.

Happy Birthday, Reese. I will love you forever.
Love, Mommy & Mama Keely

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely beautiful... I've only recently started stalking you (in a good way, of course. Wink.) and didn't know until last night that you and your husband adopted.
Your children are gorgeous and obviously very happy, and lucky, to be with you.

Anonymous said...

wow, you left me speechless. This is a post to save and share with her when she is older.
You are an awesome mommy!

krista said...

*oh*
killed me dead. my heart just shattered in the happy bittersweet way that love brings.
i had deja vu reading this...like i'd been here before, reading your words and crying while my poor teething baby fussed and fretted and drifted back to sleep at this ungodly hour. but i haven't been here before and it made me remember something i had read once about deja vu: that it is the brain's way of telling you that you're exactly where you are supposed to be in your life right now. you're on the right path. it's the intersection where that recognition meets the day.
cheesy? okay. but it's five something in the morning and i haven't had coffee yet. cheesy is pouring down my cheeks right now and my heart is swollen.
oh, happy day.

Anonymous said...

Jen, I'm done. I can't comment on a post like this. My heart is aching with the happiness you've given Reese. Happy birthday, Reeses Cheekses! (I'm totally trademarking that.) Both your mamas must love you something fierce to give you the life you have. And to have an awesome daddy and big brother like Henry? It's the lottery, girlfriend!

Anonymous said...

You KNOW I'm loving this. The most important thing my adopted parents ever told me about my birth mom was..."She is very, very brave." I still think of her that way.
And, do not be confused, you and Miss Reese look like you have that "us" and "team" thing down just fine. Love it!

Jenni said...

Gosh, way to make a preganant lady cry.

So beautiful, Jen. I think it is amazing how children find their way to their families, be it through birth or adoption or both. And it certainly seems that Reese found her way home.

Jen said...

what a beautiful post. I like you blog. I am glad that I got a chance to come over here.

GreenJello said...

What a way to start my day! Thank you for sharing something so wonderful with us.

The Stiletto Mom said...

Jen...just beautiful. I'm sure Keely feels very lucky to have found such a wonderful and loving home for Reese. She gave you guys such an amazing gift and to know how much love you have for Reese must warm her heart every day and let her know not only did she make the right decision but she chose the best parents as well. Well, now I love you even a little bit more...did not think that was possible. What an amazing post, from a mom who is beautiful on the inside and out.
PS: Happy Birthday Reese! Cupcakes will be eaten in your honor today in Texas by my kids after school!

Cameron said...

Beautiful...very touching. Way to make a grown man cry like a little baby. It's gotta be allergies or something...sniff. Reesie, happy birthday!!

Ali said...

Beautiful! Happy Birthday Reese!

steenky bee said...

Oh, thank you for all the wonderful comments you guys. I am truly touched. Today is such a bitter-sweet day for me. I'm caught up in thinking of Tim and Keely and how much they mean to me in my life. I tell Keely all the time that I believe we would be friends in this life even if our paths crossed some other way. I look at our daughter and know we are blessed to have her with us. I honored that Keely and Tim found us and have shared such a gift. I love that every time I look at my little girl, I see both of them. :) Smiles through my tears.

Anonymous said...

I am in tears. This is beautiful... what a gift for Keely to give you, and what a gift you are giving Reese: her history, her life, and a family.

Happy Birthday, Reese!!

Cape Cod Gal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cape Cod Gal said...

OMG Jen! I'm blubbering all over my keyboard! Your beautiful children are so lucky to have you!

Katie said...

What an eloquent and moving post! Thank you for sharing this beautiful sentiment with all of us. Happy Birthday, Reese!!

Ron said...

Good night, girl. It's way to early in the morning to be turned into such a blubbering pile of mush (yes, even Clark Kent tears up once and a while).

My best Birthday wishes to a lucky little girl.

for a different kind of girl said...

Do you have any idea how hard it is to type when you can't see because you're a blubbering mess? Let me tell you, it's dang hard!

This is such a beautiful tribute to such an unselfish love. Your daughter is a beauty, and I hope her heart is forever filled with the love so many have for her. Happy, glorious birthday to all of you!

Anonymous said...

Great, now look what you've done--I'm all weepy in my coffee. Are you happy now?

:)

Great post

Khadra said...

Count me in on being a crying mess. Beautiful :)

Jamie said...

Ok, I am not sure if it's because I haven't slept in 24 hours or what but that post has me crying but not just sort of crying. I am talking full on almost can't control myself sobbing.

You are blessed to have her but she isn't old enough to have any idea how very very blessed she is to have you all as her family.

Ok, I have to go blow my nose and get my shit together. Thanks so much for sharing.

Khadra said...

Oh, I forgot, Happy Birthday Reese!

Anonymous said...

Steenky stalker, you managed to make me cry a little and that rarely happens. How dare you! I love you and your two awesome kids and I'm glad you guys found each other. Those kids are going to grow up in such a nutty but awesome family and I hope they get your sense of humor and personality. And you stalker qualities and Twitter peer pressure (the answer is still NO). I like the serious Steenky Stalker (and I'm trademarking THAT term like Jen aka Sprite's Keeper trademarked Reeses Cheekses). Happy birthday kid!

HeatherPride said...

I had typed the best comment for you, but I see the blogger piece of crap server is haywire again and my pretty comment is lost. Crap. It said something like, this is the perfect sentiment for adopted children and it should be the anthem for adoptive parents everywhere! So sweet, it really puts it all into perspective so perfectly, just the exact way to explain adoption and what it means to everyone involved.

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Happy Day to the whole lot of you. Congrats.

Ellie

Carolyn...Online said...

That was so touching. And lovely.

jen said...

oh goodness.
you had to go and make me cry before i go and see a group...didn't you?
lovely awesome. reese is so lucky to have you so appreciate what someone else gave you. and to have your heart tug a little for her, too. you are such an amazing woman.
happy birthday reese!

Anonymous said...

First, Happy Birthday Reese! I hope today is as beautiful as you are.

Second: thank you for an incredible post. I love how you include Reese's 'natural' parents in her story. That she'll know where she started. That's a true gift to an adopted child - something you can give her every year of her life.

Unknown said...

That is such a beautiful heartfelt piece.
Are you the same sarcy sod I discovered only recently!
That little girl is so lucky to have you both. What a lovely thing for her to look back on in years to come.
And if her birth mum ever reads it, she would be so proud that you are the ones who took her into your lives.
Have no idea what the back story is on this so am going to root around in your archives a bit and find out . . .

Unknown said...

Awww girl that was so sweet! I didn't know both of your beautiful children grew only in your heart, not your belly, until a recent post. Since I'm new to your blog, you could have mentioned it before but I haven't read all your old stuff yet. (I know! What kind of stalker am I???)

That was a beautiful post and those beautiful, wonderful children are very lucky to have you and Jeremy for parents!

Jennifer said...

OMG Jen--that was BEAUTIFUL!! What an amazing journey you've all been on. Oh great--now I'm crying and I'm about to meet w/ my architect--he already thinks I'm crazy!

Wishing your little one a very Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great post! So sweet! She's lucky she got you and you're lucky you got her. It's a win win.

DeeMarie said...

I am so moved. I can't write anything right now. I'll be back. Happy Birthday, Reesie. You are one special and lucky girl.

Ann Harrison said...

(I don't know if I was supposed to read this. So beautiful and personal.)
Your children are so blessed to have found you. By whatever path they made their way to you, they are the luckiest kids.

Anonymous said...

8:37 am and I'm crying all over my keyboard.

Keely must have known when she met you that her baby coudn't have gone to two funnier, sweeter, more caring people. You are all lucky to have come into each other's lives. Thank you for sharing a little of Reese's story.

And happy 1st birthday to your gorgeous little girl!

Love to you all today. XOXO

Anndi said...

Happy first birthday Reese! You are a gift to the world.

Jen, thank you so very much for sharing such a wonderful journey with us. You're proof that adoption works and if by some miracle, a young woman struggling with that most heartwrenching decision manages to find her way here... I hope it eases her heart, to know families like yours are out there.

A very dear friend adopted a little boy and I know she would understand this post completely.

This made my heart smile.

Anonymous said...

okay, yeah, hormonal pregnant woman crying here - not a good thing!

Happy Birthday Reese!! you are a beautiful little princess!!

Jen - you are a special mom and a special person who has given your heart to such worthy and deserving children - you tell me that you hold respect for me - it is I that hold the utmost respect for you!

HUGS and KISSES from the South!

JuleeSLC said...

Wow - that was powerful. I'm sitting here at my desk crying. Isn't it amazing how adoptions can touch (and change) lives?!

JuleeSLC said...

and Happy B-day, Reesie!

Maggie May said...

Oh goodness make me well up with tears. You have such a generous, tender depth. A beautiful tribute and lovefest. Thank you for sharing. Your daughter is so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Jen, this is so tender and touching and full of love and glitter and rainbows that it made me cry. A beautifull post for a gorgeous little girl and written with so much love...Give the b'day girl a big hug from the Internets and have her give you one from all of us too!

Captain Dumbass said...

Happy birthday, Reesie! As lucky as your Mom and Dad and big brother are to have you in their lives, I think you are pretty lucky to have such a wonderful family who loves you so much. Big polar bear hug from Canada!

Lola said...

That was a beautiful post for your beautiful daughter. She is so lucky to have you for a mom!

Thanks for making my puffy allergy eyes look even worse this afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Reese!

Tuesday Girl said...

Beautiful. I have four adopted cousins and I have seen how hard it was for the birth moms to give up their baby for a better life. There is now truer gift.

Reese is as lucky as you are.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Reesie!

Truly a family bound by love...

Anonymous said...

I'm fighting tears.

Anonymous said...

That was really amazing. To put all of your feelings out there like that so eloquently, much respect for you Jenboglass. Enjoy your day with your daughter.She is very blessed to have you!

(P.S. Those are my nicknames. Reese, Reesie and my family calls me reeser too.)

Tara said...

What a beautiful post! I found you thru SITS and am so glad that I did! You're an awesome mommy!

Happy Blogathon Day, btw!

Ilina said...

Seriously, tears are creeping down my face as I write this. Beautifully written. What a lovely sentiment and what a lovely family. And that whole thing about registering love for Henry...so true! I saw it from the very beginning with my boys too.

Ringleader said...

Thanks for making me cry! Happy birthday Reesafee! No doubting that some things were just meant to be, like your rockin', cute, hilarious, amazing little family!

Tracy Lynn said...

Dude.

Rhea said...

OH, wow, what an amazing post. You had me in tears!

Happy Birthday to Reese, what a lucky girl to have so much love in her life.

DeeMarie said...

Ok. I've given myself time. I'll try this now. Wow. What an amazing tribute to your beautiful daughter and her Mama Keely. I would think that would have to be an inspiration to all involved in the adoptive process. And to show the nurturing and protective nature of little Henry. Just truly amazing. I mean it when I say every post I read makes me adore your more. I love how you make me laugh but I think this week's posts may make me cry and I love that too... Give those kids a big squeeze from their Aunt Dancing Cookie. Mwah!!!!

Jenny Grace said...

She's unbelievably special and adorable. Happy Birthday. And you made me cry.

Angie said...

Oh, thanks a lot...the tears are flowing. I can't believe I gave you awesomesauce and you made me cry. Bully! :) Thank you so much for a beautiful post. Your kids are so lucky to have a mom like you.

Elle Charlie said...

What a beautiful post. You're very caring to think about Keely. And what a lovely tribute to your daughter.

jerlyn said...

Beautiful blog, you have a very beautiful and lucky daughter.
Cpt. Dumbass was a beautiful baby
too. Still is my baby, all 6 ft
plus of him.
Jellybean

Vodka Mom said...

okay. that was damn good. sniff, sniff. She's a lucky, lucky girl.

Pam said...

wonderful birthday tribute..happy birthday, reese! :)

Mama Dawg said...

Oh, shit. You made my cry AND curse in the public library.

I'll get you for that.

(beautiful story, by the way)

Sherendipity said...

Alright, I have to stop hanging out with you. Or, rather, I have to stop 'webbing" around with you. It's either that or you have to stop being so fantastically beautiful for a week or two, so I can feel worthy to be in your presence again.
My God, woman. You bring me such joy. How is that possible?

Jenni said...

That was really, really beautiful and touching. Wow, is Reese a lucky girl!

Happy 1st birthday, Reese!

Seriously Brenda said...

Jen, you are an amazing, selfless woman and I have no doubt that you will pass that trait onto your beautiful kids. Reese and Henry are so lucky to have you as their mom.

Happy Birthday Reese!

Kat said...

Jen you just made me cry with joy. The joy that knowing selfless people will do the right thing for their children. The joy in knowing that there are people who gladly will adopt a child who needs a family and the joy in knowing that you are a great mom. Happy Birthday Reece. You are a very lucky little girl.

Mary Anna said...

Okay, I totally didn't expect you to make me cry today. But, oh, the love and the smiles and the first birthday!

There is a gorgeous poem that I've created a gift out of for several of my friends who adopted. It's called Baby by George MacDonald, and it makes me cry. Please read it - and let me know if you want me to send it to you as a PDF you can print, with sytlized type and all.

http://www.bartleby.com/246/315.html

The Stiletto Mom said...

Me again, just back to gaze at Reesie and her one year old perfection one more time before nodding off. So cute...and Henry is the man in that hat.

Wendy said...

I didn't read all 66 previous comments because I'm too busy wiping the tears off my face. I want to tell you something though, Jen.

It's wonderful that you see so clearly (and write so beautifully) the traits and characteristics Reese received from Keely and Tim. But I really hope you realize how many of them she's getting from the three of you as well. Y'all are a beautiful family. I'm glad I got to read these words that you wrote.

Happy Birthday Reesie!

HarryJack's Mom said...

Oh, Jen, it's all been said more eloquently than I could, but thank you for your courage in sharing such a personal journey. You are beautiful and generous and it just makes me crile to think of all the miracles involved in the making of your family. Thanx for all you do to keep us all laughing and loving!

Tricia said...

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Happy Birthday, Reese!

Rock and Roll Mama said...

I was doing OK there, I was along for the ride, no tears, till we got to that last paragraph that knocked me on my bahookie. You're an amazing mama, Jen. And Reese will always carry bits of Keely and bits of Tim. But mostly, she will be of you, and Henry, and your husband. It's funny to think of now, when so much of what you see are just the genetic sparkles that show us who someone will be when they talk and slam doors.:) But when I was growing up, I used to hear all the time, "You're so like your mother." and I never corrected the speaker, because even though we didn't share blood, it was true.:)

MichelleK said...

Wow - you try to steal my soapnuts (from Pamela's - Dayton Time), and I have to stalk you... now I soooo love you and your children!!!!!! You make me laugh and you make me cry - PERFECT!!

WOW!!!! Lucky, lucky kids!

Thank you -

anymommy said...

Tears. Understanding. Amazing.