Baby Steps

Chapter 11: Just Keep Breathing

Rosie was discharged from the hospital just three days after giving birth. Upon getting ready to go home, Rosie woke up at 7am quickly took a shower and did her makeup; knowing that she would have to develop a steady routine as Addelyn got older. After having achieved a refreshed feeling, Rosie circled the room to face her daughter; who was fast asleep in the hospital bassinet.

"Hello, Addelyn" Rosie whispered in a slight sing-song voice as she studied the baby's features.

Suddenly, Addelyn opened her eyes to look at Rosie the minute her name was called. Rosie then found herself being torn between waking Marco up so that he could share in the moment and savoring this moment by herself. She then figured that the best way to have both was of course, capturing it on camera; which she would later take to Instagram and Facebook with the simple yet heart felt caption: now I'll see the world through your eyes #goodmorning #AddelynBelle #newborn #babygirl #blueeyes

At approximately 9:00am, Marco woke up from his deep slumber in the recliner to help get Addelyn dressed. But he wasn't surprised that Rosie was already half way through with the job as she gently guided the infant's arms into her going home outfit; which consisted of a white sleeper with pink trim and little butterflies on one arm, featuring a little pink elephant on the chest that read: little peanut, paired with the pink hospital cap and matching scratch mittens. Rosie and Marco thought it was fitting to honor Addelyn's nickname in utero.

"You did a good job, mommy; and I don't just mean today" Marco sighed in amazement as he rested his bearded chin on Rosie's shoulder to admire their daughter.

"Thanks. When do you go back to school? The kids must really miss you" Rosie responded as she gently fed the soother into Addelyn's mouth and handed her over to Marco so that she could be placed her in her car seat.

"I've got this whole week off. I don't think they'd miss me too much. I left them in good hands" Marco responded; thinking of how his closest colleague, Shawn Miller was handling his cluster of children this week.

~X~

During the car ride home, Rosie sat contentedly in the back with Addelyn; admiring all of her little features. The more she admired the infant the more she realized that neither her nor Marco were right about who Addelyn looked like. She didn't favor either of them more in terms of looks. But she was a perfect mix with Rosie's chin, Marco's nose, and his little strands of ash blonde hair and of course, the couple's matching ocean blue eyes. The only debate left to settle was what her first word would be. Marco prayed that Jimmy Fallon was right and it would be dada. But Rosie knew that it would be something completely shocking and out of the typical blue. Despite the fact that she had only been with them for a few days, Rosie already knew that Addelyn would grow to do amazing things.

Upon pulling into their driveway and having Marco retrieve the car seat, Rosie felt a flutter of joy soar through her soul. This was the beginning of the rest of her life and she was absolutely fine with taking on every challenge that came along. Suddenly the nightmares and terrible visions of failure seemed to disappear. As Rosie scooped Addelyn and her elephant blanket out of the car seat to be fed, Rosie knew that everything was going to be fine because for the first time in her life, she truly felt as she was not alone; nor would she ever be again.

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The week had gone by and Rosie found that from now on life was bound to be full of surprises; the first one being that Addelyn's first few days of life were not at all what she expected. She was a really easy-going and relaxed baby; who only ever cried when she was hungry or needed to be changed. It took some getting used to, but eventually Rosie and Marco were able to decipher what she needed and when. This would all come in handy when the day finally came for Marco to go back to work; which meant that Rosie would be flying solo for a couple hours.