Dream Baby

When one is expecting a child, whether naturally, via surrogate, or via adoption, we all have dreams of what our child will look like/be like.  We all picture the moment when we hold our child in our arms for the very first time.  We see it all so clearly, their cute little nose, their sweet lips, their adorable fingers and toes.  We hope that they look like us.  We hope that they like the things we like.  But, I don't think that most of us have our sights set on our "dream baby".  At least not in the sense the we expect them to be only what we wish them to be and not their own unique and special individual.

Most of us know that each baby is special, each baby is different, each baby is wonderful.  We know that they are not always going to be what some might consider to be "ideal", but that they are each perfect in their own wonderful way.  If we lose sight of that fact and look only for them to be who and what we want them to be, we will be disappointed.

If I have learned nothing else from having 11 siblings, it is that each and every child is different.  Each one of them has traits that are uniquely theirs.  Each one has hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes, activity levels and abilities that are uniquely their own.  There is no "one size fits all" child.  And that is one of the things that makes them so amazing.

As we sit at another waiting point on this adoption journey, waiting for the homsetudy to be scheduled, I think often of how life will be when we finally hold our baby in our arms.  I think of the sleepless nights, the diaper changes, the feedings, the cuddles, the love, of how wonderful it will be to be a mom.  What I do not think of is having my "dream baby" in the sense that I expect certain things, certain looks, certain likes or certain abilities.  For me, my "dream baby" is the baby God gives us.

When we are finally parents, when our baby is finally placed in our arms, that child will be our "dream baby".  Why?  Because he or she will be the fulfillment of our prayers and dreams of becoming parents.  Not because he or she will meet any expectations we have of what our baby should look like or be, because we don't have any.  What we want for our baby is for him or her to be healthy and happy.  I think that is what most expectant parents want.

 See that you do not despise one of these little ones.  For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 18:10


Each baby is beautiful, each baby is special, each baby is unique, each baby is a "dream baby", and I will love and cherish the baby God blesses me with.  To my future child I want to say, "yes little one, you are my dream baby, you are the fulfillment of my hopes and dreams, you are perfect just the way you are and I can't wait to watch you grow and become your own special, amazing individual"!