Skylar Hope, My Love, Welcome To The World!
Baby began to insist that she wanted out last night at about midnight. At 5:51 a.m., March 1, she got her wish. Skylar was born. Healthy, full of life and goodness and hope, she weighed in at 8 pounds and 1 ounce.
This afternoon I got to hold her for the first time. With her in my arms, my heart melted. All of the anger I have harbored toward K and all of the darkness I have felt about the coming of this child just walked away. There in my arms was Love. Seldom have I said so much without words as, at that moment, my eyes looked over and met K's. This was grace, pure and simple; my honor to have Skylar as part of my life.
I was too busy being wrapped up in myself to properly enjoy the birth of my kids. This one I will take time to rock, and kiss, and snuggle, and surely play the fool of a crazy grandparent.
Here's my favorite picture, so far (more rolls of film are on the way!). Mom meets the out-of-doors Skylar for the first time. I consider her face of joy to be priceless.
God, what a blessing.
03.01.06 (10:04 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
mercuryrising (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:24 pm)
Beautiful!! That picture is priceless. It brought tears to my eyes! Congrats Grandpa!
posted by:
Fairmoon (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:33 pm)
Congratulations!! big hugs to you and every member of your family. you guys totally rock! It touchs my heart that you feel the way that you do about your daughter and new granddaughter. You guys are wonderful parents and now GRANDPARENTS!!! YIPPEEE!!!!!!!
YIPPEE!! I love the name Skylar Hope, it's beautiful and carries so much meaning lovely welcome to the planet little one! you've got a good family! (make sure you tell her I said that when she's older.) :D
YIPPEE!!!
FM
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:41 pm)
Reply to: mercuryrising
"Granpa"? Don't you have to be old to wear that name? Creeky knees, bifocals, rocking chair.... Maybe I do qualify!
This picture, while I know it probably is not "pretty", is priceless to me. The look of pure joy mingled with tears is very touching to me.
Thank you for sharing my joy.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:44 pm)
Reply to: Fairmoon
The name takes, for me, a little getting used to. It's a little "FairMoon-ish", and I'm coming to really like it.
Oh but I want this little one to find this to be a good world, with much love and happiness. Thanks for your positive spirit that just seems to ooze from your reply.
posted by:
mercuryrising (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:50 pm)
hehe..I love my typos.... You should go with 'Pops', that is the southern way ;P
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (5:56 pm)
Reply to: mercuryrising
"Pops"? Might as well just call me "Old Man". I'll just keep on looking.
That baby can call me anything she would like.
posted by:
dyeblue (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (6:24 pm)
congratulations!
posted by:
Bhere4me (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (6:29 pm)
very beautiful. looks like that baby has a mouth! lol. my cousin is pregnant for the first time, she is so excited. she started showing this week, I got SO excited I started crying.
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (6:33 pm)
Congrats! I don't know the story with this K person, but I'm glad you are feeling good about it all :)
posted by:
graceshaker (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (6:35 pm)
may our lord cover your family and new addition with many blessings.
hope favors you. Ü
posted by:
rinna (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (6:45 pm)
Congratulations on the new addition to your family, PastorDave!
posted by:
justinb (
reply)
post date:
03.01.06 (9:51 pm)
congratulations dave, wish you all the best on the new bundle of joy. Love the new look of your blog also, really great. great post.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (3:15 am)
YEAH! You'll be a great Grandfather... Wait... well, you know what I mean. Congrats! Wonderful pic! Yahoooooo.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (3:55 am)
Reply to: dyeblue
Thanks. Not that I really have accomplished anything. I have survived, and adjusted to meet the challenge. And a work of change has taken place in my heart, but I take no credit for that.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (3:57 am)
Reply to: Bhere4me
She inherits the mouth from her grandmother's side of the family.
What is it about babies that reduces even the toughest of us to crying fools?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (3:59 am)
Reply to: bacardibreezer
K is my daughter. Got pregnant at 17, not married. These 9 months have been a time of pregnancy and birth, not just of Skylar, but of my understanding and love. It's been a hard delivery. But, here we are, and I am excited.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:00 am)
Reply to: rinna
Thanks, rinna. Your prayers are coveted.
posted by:
ScarlettGKPi (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:00 am)
Amazing...she is such a beautiful baby. You must be very proud of her and I know you will end up spoiling her...in a good way of course!! Congratulations!!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:02 am)
Reply to: justinb
So, justin, you just stay single and don't go out getting involved in anything like this!
I worked hard on changing and improving my blog. It is significant that one like yourself would notice and approve. There are still some adjustments I want to make, and I may be asking your guidance. Thanks, again.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:03 am)
Reply to: LadyG
Yeah, 8 pounds plus. Giving birth certainly is not for sissies. I can hardly believe that any woman, once going through this experiece, would choose to do so again and again. It looks to me like naturaly childbirth would be a great form of birth control.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:05 am)
Reply to: surrogate
"grandfather"; I'm still adjusting to that moniker.
I want to be good at it. I'll pray for Skylar every day. I'll hold her, and love her, and she and I will become best of friends. There will be no one closer, I am thinking. She is in for quite a ride.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:07 am)
Reply to: ScarlettGKPi
Amazing. So true. While a bit messy, childbirth is amazing. This is a life! Formed and presented, so much appears natural and yet so much is mystery and miracle. It is a transcendent event. Special. Reverent.
Thanks for sharing in my joy.
posted by:
TaBooTenente (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (5:30 am)
dave,
i've been wrapped in my own stuff lately--i was oblivious to the fact that you guys were "expecting."
congratulations, grandpastordave. what an honest, beautiful telling. i wish your family love and hope and happiness.
taboo
posted by:
LeananSidhe (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (5:33 am)
Congratulations!
Skylar is very lucky to have you to love and cuddle her. K is also very lucky to have you, and you her. I understand how your daughter must have felt these last few months, I was an unwed teen mother too and believe me, your forgivness, support and love for her and the baby means the world to her, it really does. There is something about the birth of a baby that can melt any dad's heart and reduce him into a puddle of baby-talking goo :)
All the best to you, K, & Skylar!
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (5:37 am)
that is great Dave congrats and hope a long and healthy life for the baby.
Dan
posted by:
danielmacdonald (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (5:38 am)
hey gand pay get the picting arm ready that great.. :)
Daniel macdonald
posted by:
JT (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (6:01 am)
I'm so happy for you that you are able to push aside your feelings of disappointment and (whatever else) to focus on loving that little baby.
My boys have a very close relationship with each of my parents, and it adds a richness to all of our lives that I can't fathom living without. I get such joy from their happiness at being together. I wish the same for your family, and a long, happy and healthy life for the new baby!
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (6:46 am)
Congrats Pastor! I too am teary eyed--such a beautiful photo.
My Dad faced the same dilema you are concerning what to be 'called' as a Grandfather. He thought every 'Papaw', 'Gramps', 'Pappy, etc. was just to "Senior" for him. So we left it up to my daughter(his first grandchild)...she came up with 'Papoo'! Which I thought was precious but he very much disliked, lol. As the kids got older they got to the point where they call him 'Pappy' now, which he doesn't seem to mind at age 70!
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (7:54 am)
Oh wow... what words could possibly say it all? Some "congratulations" doesn't sound like enough. It is now your duty as a grandfather to spoil this child to no end...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (11:52 am)
Reply to: TaBooTenente
"...love and hope and happiness" - if these continue to come our way, then we will be the wealthiest of families. I am sitting home at this time, awaiting the arrival in the drive. Woa...here they are! I will finish later.
posted by:
brandashealth4u (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (11:54 am)
congratulations pastor dave on your new addition. i hope you have many of great blessings skylar
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (1:15 pm)
Reply to: LeananSidhe
Forgiveness, support, and love is just part of respecting another person. I know of a fell minister, conservative like myself but much more prominent and successful in my denomination, whose son announced that he was gay. This man has probably preached many sermons aginst homosexuality. So what did this man do with his son? Forvieness, support, and love, that's what. Unconditional. We deal with issues and we deal with people. There is no need to compromise with either. Love. It's just a must.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (1:17 pm)
Reply to: danielmacdonald
Long and healthy is out of my hands. Significant, that's my desire for the life of Skylar. No matter what life may bring her way, I wish for her to be a person of character who impacts her world for good. That is my prayer.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (1:19 pm)
Reply to: JT
That is great that your children benefit from a close relationship with grandparents. Our children have always lived far way from their grandparents, but whenever they came together, it was special. I want so much for this baby to know she is loved and accepted, that I literally delight in her.
Thanks.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (1:21 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
Thanks. My wife is pestering me to come up with a name for the baby to call me. I just don't know- maybe she will invent one along the way. I'm not even 50 years old- how can I be a "grandpa"?
posted by:
preceptlady (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (1:43 pm)
Congratulations....we can love so freely because He first loved us! I am happy for you and your entire family!
oh...you don't have to be 50 to be a grandpa! :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:34 pm)
Reply to: ruined
If such is my duty, then I will be faithful to that call.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:36 pm)
Reply to: brandashealth4u
Thanks my friend. And welcome to t-blog. We have a great fellowship here, some interesting give-and-take. I hope you will enjoy contributing to the exchange.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (4:39 pm)
Reply to: preceptlady
You are right. We have many elderly couples in our church. It has gotten to the point that I do not even want to ask when they first married. So many, who impress me as fine and mature marriages, tied the knot when they were teens, and sometimes the females were 14 or 15 years old. I shudder to even think of that possibility for any kids I know today.
So, if they were married at that age, and had kids within the first few years of marriage, then it would be easy to become a grandparent while in one's mid-30's. Tht's pretty scary also.
posted by:
Sillygrrl3 (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (5:50 pm)
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing the news! Your family is in my prayers!!!
HUGS - Kara
posted by:
funkadelichika (
reply)
post date:
03.02.06 (6:33 pm)
Congrats. Yeah babies always seem to have a way of melting away anger sadness and so much else and just leaving pure... well pure joy and wonderment. Again congrats.
posted by:
TaBooTenente (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (4:45 am)
just thought i'd check in with more well-wishings. give s a nose-touch for me.
taboo
posted by:
Lisa (
reply)
post date:
05.01.08 (4:15 pm)
Sincere Congratulations to you Pastor Dave. A tear rolled down my cheek when I looked at that beautiful photo as I wished that was what I have to look forward to... This story is very different. My 17 year old daughter and I are very close. She told me that she missed her period and wanted a pregnancy test. We went to the doctors and her test was positive. We cried together and she said, ' I can't have this baby, I'm to young.' Her mind has changed many times regarding her decision to keep the baby or not. Today we went to her OBGYN and she had an ultrasound. She is now 5 1/2 weeks pregnant. We briefly talked to the doctor about her options and she needs to decide this week if she wants to schedule an abortion or not. My husband and I have made it clear that we are 'pro-life' and we will help her raise her baby, however we will support her with either decision. As of yesterday I felt like I was split 50/50 as to what is the best thing to do for everyone involved. I felt confident that I could trust my daughters decision and I would be okay with either choice she made... Then I took my daughter to a place yesterday where they sat her down and informed her in detail about her options. She wasn't very happy with me because she has been trying to block it out and does not want to face reality. I thought that she might change her mind about aborting her baby but today she told me to make the appointment to terminate her pregnancy. When I made the call to the doctor I had tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and felt like I was going to vomit (and I still do). I want to support her but it is so difficult. My heart is breaking and now that she has made her decision I feel like it is so wrong and it hurts so badly. I can't understand why she won't let my husband and I raise the child since she feels that she is too young to do it herself. I can't wrap my brain around aborting a life that was given to you by God. I even told my daughter that she was "my little mistake" and I didn't think twice about not aborting her even though I was only 22 with 2 other small children and I was living with an abusive boyfriend with barely enough money to get by. I know that she is not me and I don't want to feel this way about her decision. It is so hard to look at her right now - I feel like she can see my pain without me saying anything. I don't want to make her feel guilty for her decision. Please help me understand... Please help me see why she made this choice... Please give me the strength to be a supportive loving mother to my daughter while she goes through this...
