Maxerica

First Hello

Maxon keeps his eyes on his shoes, lost in thought as he waits for his children.
He looks up as soon as he hears Kaden yell, "Dada!"
He smiles at the kids as they run over and hug him.
"Did mom have the baby already?" Ahren asks.
"She did," he answers.
Ahren giggles with excitement.
"But we have to be quiet and calm so we don't scare the baby. Mom needs to rest too so no waking her up if she goes to sleep, ok?"
They nod, understanding his request.
"Can I hold the baby first?" Ahren asks.
"Oldest gets to hold him first. So Eadlyn gets to go first, then you, then Kaden," Maxon explains.
"Awwww."
"It's only fair."
"Ok," he says with disappointment.
"Come on."
Maxon leads them inside.

I look over as Maxon brings the kids into the room.
I smile as big as I can at them, exhaustion holding me back a bit.
The excitement in their faces brings me so much joy. I can't wait for them to say their first hello to our precious little angel.
"Hi mom," Ahren says once they come over.
"Hi sweetie."
Their eyes go to the baby in my arms, and mine follow to him too.
Our newest baby boy is a bit small, but otherwise healthy. He has the brightest blue eyes and little red hairs sprouting from the top of his head.
"What's his name?" Eadlyn asks.
"Osten Shalom Schreave," Maxon says with a big smile.
"Who wants to hold him?" I ask.
They all quickly raise their hands and I laugh lightly.
"Eadlyn gets to go first," I say.
Ahren makes a face as Maxon gets the baby and hands him to Eadlyn.
"He's so cute," Eadlyn says.
"He is isn't he?" Maxon agrees.
I watch the kids as the fascination in their eyes sparkles at their new baby brother until exhaustion takes over me.

Maxon looks from Osten to America and sees she fell asleep.
"Can I hold him now?" Ahren asks.
"Yes," Maxon gives in.
"I get to hold him more later," Eadlyn states.
He takes Osten from Eadlyn and lets Ahren hold him.
Ahrens face lights up as he watches his baby brother.
Osten stares up at Ahren, already a very curious baby.
Osten yawns, getting a chorus of 'awww's from his siblings.
"I can't wait to play with him," Ahren coos.
"You'll have to wait just a little bit," Maxon tells him. "But soon enough you'll get to play together."
"I'm excited."
"I'm glad. I bet he's excited too."
Eadlyn holds his hand.
"His fingers are so tiny," Eadlyn observes.
"They are, aren't they," Maxon agrees.
"I thought he'd be way bigger and not nearly as cute."
"Oh really?" Maxon smiles.
"Mhmm. His feet are small too."
Ahren tickles his brothers feet, and the kids laugh at his reaction.
"Can I hold him now?" Kaden requests.
"Yes you may," Maxon answers.
He takes Osten and gently places him in Kaden's arms.
Maxon can tell he's getting sleepy.
Kaden talks to him quietly and he goes to sleep.
"Wow Kaden. You must be a baby whisperer," Maxon jokes.
He giggles and rocks his baby brother.
After Kaden gets his turn, the kids are sent off to go to dinner.