What a Difference a Year Makes!

Just over one year ago Drew and I went to our 20 week ultrasound appointment and got our second glimpse of our baby in utero. We were delighted to find out that the little one was a boy! The whole Jasper clan has predicted we would have a boy, even our nieces who really wanted us to name him Drew.

We were so amazed at the ultrasound to see our son - all his hands, feet, arms, legs, head, heart, and "boy stuff" (as the doctor referred to it). He looked beautiful even then, and we praised God for his provision and protection of our little guy.


Just one year and two days later, little Jasper is even more beautiful. His hair is just like his parents when we both were little - he's a little tow head. His eyes are bright blue and full of spirit. He does prefer to hang out on his back, but he's learning that his tummy isn't so bad either. Perhaps he will crawl before he walks. He sits up to play and can balance himself very well. Toppling over happens pretty infrequently these days. He is a strong boy and loves to jump. God has certainly given him good health, strength and a lovely temperament. We are blessed.

Our lives have changed dramatically since Jasper's birth. For one, I stay home with him all day long. I love the time I can have to take care of him and chart his progress. I can call Drew when he does something new so that Drew doesn't miss out on too much. Not all moms have this chance to stay home and care for their young children, and I know this is a blessing.

Another thing is that we pretty much cannot do anything without thinking of Jasper and the impact on him. We can't be out running errands all day or going out for dinner and gelato past 9pm. And I have to watch what I eat and drink. Jasper rolls with the punches well, but he does have to nap, eat and sleep at night - and we just can't ask him to give those things up. Of course, we mess up from time to time. But I don't think we've messed up too bad so far - and Jasper doesn't appear to be any worse for wear to have two newbie parents.

Our living room is now the play room with toys piled up in the corner and spread all over the floor. Our front hallway is the home to our many different strollers ... not some nice piece of furniture. And despite the fact that I am home all day, the house is pretty much a mess most of the time.

Despite all these changes, the greatest change is that we have been entrusted by God to be the parents of Jasper: to love him, protect him and train him up in the way that he should go. Wow! That is an amazing responsibility and full of such promise ... promise of joy and pain. But I know it also holds the promise that God will walk beside us on this path in our journey and he desires to bring us fulfillment through it. Drew does a great job of taking mental pictures of time he spends with Jasper. He has seared on his memory various moments that he treasures. I look forward to filling up our memory banks with all the moments that lie ahead.