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by Esther P. Chase
Before our first five-year anniversary charm for a charm bracelet was added to my gold and sterling silver charm jewelry collection, we aired our wonderful news-we were pregnant.
In all the excitement, I almost forgot to look at the 14kt gold charms for charm bracelets to honor the graduation of my best friend, Jane, from medical school. That wonderful website, www.chains-and-charms.com, had a 14kt gold charm of the caduceus; a perfect addition for my best friend, the Doctor's, charm bracelet!
When my pregnancy became obvious, I found my third grade class was as excited and delighted as we were. They knew all about my charms bracelet, and I overheard whispered conversations alluding to baby charms. I had to find a way to gently let them know my husband and I would select the charm for our first baby. They were disappointed, but they understood the rationale.
It was time to get serious about selecting the baby charm for my charm bracelet. Since we did not know whether it was a boy or a girl, we decided to play it safe, and selected the cradle charm.
A few months later, we were the very proud parents of a 6 lb. 8 oz. baby boy, Steve Jr.! In keeping with my pledge, I ordered him a charm bracelet complete with a customized birth certificate charm. Later I would add milestone charms to his charm bracelet until the time arrived to present it to Steve Jr.'s future wife. What a daunting thought- this 6lb. 8 oz. baby boy would someday introduce me to my daughter-in-law! My life was so idyllic; I had a wonderful husband, a lovely home, and a beautiful baby boy.
Between maternity leave and summer vacation, Steve Jr. was nine months old before I returned to the classroom. I had the most wonderful babysitter, my mother, but it was still difficult to leave my baby.
The next few years were filled with contentment. We added a baby girl to our family and named her Elizabeth, after my mother. A baby carriage charm was the next addition to my charms bracelet. I ordered a charm bracelet for my daughter with a customized birth certificate charm, which was given to her on her 16th birthday.
Our fifth anniversary! It was time to select one of the anniversary charms for my charm bracelet. It's hard to believe we'd been married for five years. We selected a charm from the anniversary collection of 14kt gold charms for charm bracelets. What wonderful memories this charm evokes- a new house, two babies, and total marital bliss!
With a toddler and a baby to care for, we decided I should take a leave of absence. Fortunately, I had enough tenure to support this decision. I always knew I wanted to have children. I did not realize the amazing joy they'd bring, or how a mother's heart could expand to make room for each beautiful addition.
Along with the joy, love, and contentment, also came a mind-boggling amount of laundry, including the ubiquitous dirty diapers. I am by nature, neat and organized, so my home was clean and well kept. I realize now, the poor child never had a chance to cause a mess. Between his father, his grandparents, and me, the child was cuddled and held 24/7.
With the arrival of my daughter, chaos seemed to reign. She was a very well-behaved baby, but by this time Steve Jr. was a whirling dervish. His naptimes were positive blessings.
Chapter 10 - Kids Being Kids
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