Paul Kelly McIlrath came into the world at 8:10am on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Weighing in at a teeny 8 pounds 5 ounces, he is the smallest of the McIlrath infants, yet he has proved true in keeping with tradition in that he, like his brother and sister before him, was 11 days overdue. The journey from the due date (June 20) to his birthday was quite a mentally tumultuous one for me, nevertheless, I learned so much from that time and I am glad to have gone through it, but I am more glad to have that baby out and in my arms.
I was looking back to a photo taken on the day of Amy's birth. I was truly thrilled and never been happier. I was ready to be a mother of two small children and I felt confident that I could do it! Well, there is a similar picture of me with my two older kids and baby Paul and that confidence is no more. I look at Eric and Amy and the baby and I think "how can I be a great mother to these precious ones and give them all that I want to give and more".
I am honored to be the mother of this precious life Paul and I am so excited to watch him grow and learn. I no longer have that "I can do this on my own" mentality, but I am definitely learning what it means to be at the end of myself and rely on a power greater than my own.
They that wait upon the Lord will gain new strength! I will have new strength from the One who gave us this precious one to raise and love.
To my precious Paul Kelly,
I love you and I could not imagine life without you. You are a treasure far beyond words.
Love,
Momma
