Little Man Chase

So, Thursday morning we get a call at my parent's house from Scott telling us Chaela was 9cm dilated and the doctor said there would be a baby before noon. I did what every good sister would do and had a mini-freak-out/crying/smiling-like-crazy moment. And with many, many thanks to my mom's dear friend, Nonna Anne, I was able to leave the girls at the house in caring hands so I could be with my parents and brother at the hospital. It was incredible.

I left with my little welcoming bag for the baby and my camera. What always seemed like a quick ride to Annapolis, took forever. We normally drive into town using the back roads and this morning I had had my fill of seeing another farm - I just wanted to get to the hospital. It was a beautiful morning though and I had to stop for a minute to really grasp what was going on...my little brother was going to have his baby boy. And then I did what any crazy-wanna-be-photographer did and took a picture of a passing field to one day show the baby. I would completely admit that while I should have been en route to the hospital, I stopped. Only for a minute, but I stopped to snap a picture of this field that was just gorgeous to me. It was just a perfect moment and I had to absorb it.  And then I snapped back to reality and was off to the hospital...

To wait. Not for too long though. And my parents were there, as was this little leprechaun that I bought on a whim for the baby just the day before to add to his welcoming bag. Appropriate for a baby to be born on St. Patty's Day, don't you think?

I asked my parents a number of times to tell me again what had gone down in the labor and delivery room just minutes before I arrived. Chaela was now 10cm and the room was cleared of anyone not involved with delivery. Now it was just a matter of waiting. Patiently. Excitedly.

After what seemed like forever, but was only an hour, we were allowed back into the room to meet the new little one. Little man is how I referred to him until we had a name and it suited him to a tee. He was perfect in every way and I couldn't believe he was finally here with us. Nonna Lisa and Nonno Nicky are beyond thrilled for this new addition to the family.

Cue the tearing up of the eyes. I couldn't hold back my smiles and tears as I saw my brother holding his baby. It was a surreal moment for me.

Like Father, Like Son. Little man is only minutes old and his daddy is already making faces at him and being silly. Scott was on cloud 99 and his adrenaline was sky-high. You could tell that Scott had just fallen in love.

I went back that afternoon so that Zio Antonio could meet his nephew. In a matter of hours, Little Man was already changing so much. Love that perfect little profile.

Friends and family stopped into the hospital to meet Scott and Chaela's little bundle. Such proud occasions for my brother to introduce his boy to his loved ones.

Is it mean that I gave my brother my camera so I could have a picture with my nephew? He has to get to know his Ya-Ya after all. Yes, I will be Ya-Ya to this little precious guy. Scott asked me if it was ok for the baby to call me that since it was what Scott used to call me when he was little and couldn't say Lisa. I don't have to tell you that I could only nod a yes in response since I was choking up.

And baby makes three. Love this new little family and can't wait for all the great things to come their way. It's going to be a very fun ride and I am so happy for Scott and Chaela.

We love you Little Man Chase. Welcome to the famiglia!