On January 5, 2012 at exactly 7:23 a.m., one week past the due date, Josh and I embarked on the scariest, most wonderful adventure either of us ever hoped to experience...parenthood. Joshua Franklin Kirkman was born via C-section due to the doctor's concern about his weight on the ultrasounds, and the fact that my body did not want to prepare at all to give birth. Although he was not the whopping 11 lbs. the ultrasound predicted, he was 9 lbs, 14 ounces, and 21 and 1/2 inches long, which was reason enough for me to be very grateful we are blessed with the technological advancements of our day. We named him "Joshua" because it fit perfectly, better than any of the names we had debated earlier in our pregnancy, because he looked just like his daddy's baby pictures, and because I admire my husband just that much;) Also, it is a bit of a tradition with his family to name some part of their first born sons after the father. Then "Franklin" is a stretch from my late grandfather Frank Tippetts, an amazing man who lived his life in a way I hope our baby will. We are planning on calling him "Joshua" and his dad "Josh" or to avoid confusion, "Joshua Franklin". The happiest moment for both Josh and I was when we heard the startled cry of our baby (over the doctor's commentary about baby Joshua's broad shoulders), and Josh was able to bring him over to the operating bed and hold his tiny cheek to mine.
Needless to say, our lives have taken a total turn-around from the start, beginning with a very strange, limited sleep schedule. I never thought I would rejoice over four consecutive hours of sleep! If it's true that there "ain't no rest for the wicked", Josh and I must be the devil's henchmen because I have never been more exhausted in my life. Hopefully part of it is due to recovery time...otherwise I am not sure how much longer I will have my wits about me. Nothing could have prepared us for the selflessness that goes into parenthood. Everything that was once all about us and what we wanted is now all about Joshua and what he needs. All of the work put into taking care of one little person is unbelievable, and makes me want to be filthy rich to pay my own poor parents back for all the trouble I caused them;) The reward of having this sweet, beautiful spirit in our home far outweighs the cost. He brings us more joy and happiness with each passing day and strengthens my testimony that our Heavenly Father has an infinite love for His children.
