One Little Green Thing

"This is so cute!" my sister gasps, lifting the little, green outfit from the baby blue tissue paper.

I bounce the baby in my arms and nuzzle his downy cheek with my nose. "I know," I say with a smile. "I knew as soon as I saw that outfit, it would be perfect for the little guy."

"Funny, that's what you said when you brought me the last ten outfits," she teases.

I laugh. "Well, someone has to dress this little angel." I lift my nephew and pepper his cheeks with kisses until he starts complaining

My sister hands me a small bottle. "He's probably ready for this now. I'm going to try to rest while he sleeps, okay?"

I make a dismissal gesture with my hand and pop the bottle nipple into the baby's mouth. His little rosebud mouth sucks at it greedily; but he keeps his eyes on my face, watching me with monochromatic orbs. He can't see color yet, and I wonder what he thinks of me and my funny face.

My stomach clenches with love as his eyelids droop, letting the warm milk lull him to sleep. I tuck his blankets around him tighter, knowing that he's already toasty but wanting him to feel safe too. Pulling the now empty bottle out of his mouth with a quiet pop, I set it next to the rocker and softly pat the baby's back.

I marvel at how quickly my heart expanded to allow this little person in. He doesn't know how much joy he's bringing to us; and I silently pray to God to thank Him for my nephew. His little mouth curls in his sleep, and I smile back, wondering what the angels are telling him that would make him laugh.

"You are going to be such a blessing in my life," I whisper as tears puddle in my eyes, "the least I could do was buy you some clothes."

Bethany Bachman writes in Philadelphia and welcomed her first nephew this morning. Welcome to the world, Rowan Harold Myers!

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