We never imagined that we would have our second child so soon after our firstborn. I remember Fernando and I commented several times that we didn't know how people did it with more than one. We thought we had our hands full as parents with just one baby. Boy, were we in for a rude awakening!
I remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Gabriel. I had been ignoring the symptoms because you can't get pregnant if you just had a baby, right??? I remember feeling a myriad of emotions, but most of all, I felt scared. I just couldn't imagine how I could add another little one into my already hectic, overbooked life. It seemed like way too many balls for me to juggle. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed one day, surrounded by piles of dirty laundry, a fussy 10-month-old, and to-do lists. How would I ever get things done with two? My growing belly was a constant reminder that our lives were about to change yet again, but this time, I wasn't sure if I was ready. I would need some Divine intervention, and it was time I stopped trying to do it all on my own and simply asked for help. In that moment, I lowered the volume on my cell phone, finally laid Enzo down for a nap, and sat down for a heart-to-heart with my Heavenly Father. I can't remember the exact words, but it went something like this:
Lord,
We weren't expecting to have another little one so soon, but You have given us this child for a purpose. Help me to be the Mother that both of my children need so that they will want to discover that purpose. May everything I do and say in our daily lives glorify You and help point them to Your will.
For me, that was the day I dedicated Gabriel to the Lord. And now, here we are, a year after I whispered that desperate prayer to God, and so far, we've made it with two! Our household is hectic, more often than not, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Thank You, Lord, for "surprise" blessings that turn out to be just what we need...
Gabriel Elliot Guelfi
08/13/2010
