Manry Family

The whole house is sleeping right now but me. I can't sleep because I'm remembering back a year ago tonight, I woke up in labor and laid in bed thinking, "Well, this is it. I'm about to have a baby in Africa and there's nothing I can do to stop it!" Going into labor and delivering a baby were not new to me, but doing it in Africa definitely was. And even without that variable, there is something so exhilarating about labor and delivery that each time you do it, you feel like you are experiencing it for the first time. So, a year ago I laid in bed enduring the very early contractions of labor, waiting with great anticipation of what August 18th would bring. And now, I lay in bed remembering all the details from that sweet day and all the days that have followed. With each passing day our family has fallen more in love with our little Tessa.

There is something so sweet and unique about Tessa's first year. Much of this has to do with the fact that she is experiencing life within a large family. She doesn't just have a mom and dad who are crazy about her. She has two big brothers and a sister that have given her an abundance of love and attention. And in turn, Tessa has given them a whole lot of grace! And watching this has been satisfying and fulfilling for me and Mark.

Tessa's first year is also unique because at two months old she saw her first lions. Come on, how many two month old babies can say that! But what really made that month special was the fact that her Gigi and Uncle John and Aunt Bekka traveled across the ocean to see her. Anticipating the moment when my mother would meet my baby daughter was overwhelmingly exciting. My mom was present at Luke and Connor's birth, as well as at the airport for the arrival of Lydia Jane.  All year long I have lived within the tension of being terribly sad that my family has not been present for Tessa's first year, and being extremely appreciative for the joy that I've experienced anticipating them seeing her and being with her. Before, sharing moments like that with family was meaningful, but very normal and expected. Now, they are treasured.

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