Lucky Number 7 arrived this week.  That’s the seventh grandchild.  Sixth girl with only one boy in the bunch.  She’s a beaut and we are all pleased as punch, especially her dad, Brad.  However, the jury is still out as far as one member of the family is concerned.  That’s Baby Blaire’s big sister, Mo.  Morgan Ann is 20 months old, is used to being the apple of everyone’s eye and isn’t quite sure what to think of this little bundle. 

We took Morgan to the hospital to meet her new sister.  Brad met us in the lounge area and down the hall we went to Mom Jess and Baby Blaire’s room.  Brad took Morgan over to the crib and she immediately wanted to see what was lying there.  She reached for the baby, but got no response from little Blaire.  Jess reached for Mo, and they snuggled for a few minutes.  Then Jess picked up the baby and showed Morgan her new little sister close up.  She demonstrated gentleness and talked to both of the girls.  Morgan was interested for a minute or two then wanted down to hang out with her three older cousins who had come to see the baby as well.  

We visited and the cousins each got to hold the little one.  Morgan was watching closely and clearly identified as one of the ‘older’ kids now.  She sat with the cousins and took a turn holding the baby.  When it was time to leave, she said good-bye and left with us.

The next visit took place the following day.  Mom, dad and baby were now home, and we all went to visit.  There was a pumpkin walk in Logan and Brad and Jess wanted to take Morgan and the cousins to see the pumpkins.  I stayed home with Blaire.  They were gone for a couple of hours and came back with pizza.  Everyone was eating and visiting.  Morgan was enjoying dipping her bread sticks and jabbering like she knew how to talk.  Baby Blaire got a little fussy and Jess picked her up to nurse.  She was slipping the baby under her shirt when Morgan caught a glimpse of that in her peripheral vision.  She stopped mid-dunk, looked over at her mother putting that bundle into nursing mode.  Morgan dropped the bread stick, jerked her bib off all in one fluid motion and lunged for her mom.  Luckily, her seat belt was fastened on her bimbo because Jess and Blaire were across the room.  Mo had taken everything in stride, but now a line had been crossed.  She hadn’t nursed in months, but primal instinct kicked in and the bread sticks were forgotten.  She wanted her mom.  Jess sat Morgan right next to the nursing Blaire, got one of Morgan’s books out and began to read to her.  Mo was happy.

It’s a Good Life when you understand the richness of a Good Book! 

“You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be—

I had a Mother (and Dad) who read to me.”

---Strickland Gillilan