Her son was one year old today - the party came and went,
With lots of pictures, cake and presents . boy, she sure felt spent!
She tucked her son in bed and felt her husband join her side,
They stood there gazing down on him, with happiness and pride.

'Twas then he whispered in her ear, "You are the perfect mother .
And I'm the perfect father so....why don't we have another!?!?!
She turned to him, "Not yet ." she grinned, a twinkle in her eyes .
"I'd like to practice more," she winked, and smiled at his surprise.

How did the time pass by so quickly? Only Heaven knows..
The boy's first steps, then his first words, then his first suit of
clothes.
First birthday came and went and then the second, just as quick.
His son was now so active, keeping up was quite a trick!

Some days when he came home from work, exhausted to the bone
He thought how great that it would feel to just be all alone
But Jimmy didn't care about his long, exhausting day..
Daddy had come home at last and it was time to play!!!!!

When he came home, his wife was thrilled, she'd greet him at the door,
And laugh as her young son ran to his dad for hugs galore;
They'd play as she prepared their dinner, listening to the fun,
With squeals of sheer delight that echoed from her darling son.

She'd call them in for supper, watch the peas and veggies fly,
(Not many dinners passed without some food in someone's eye!)
She'd clean the dishes (and the ceiling, and the walls and floor),
While her sweet husband occupied their toddler, yet some more.

The times were not all fun and games, like when he caught the flu
And mom and dad sat up all night, not knowing what to do
Or reading of kidnappings showing daily in the news
Gave both of them pause to reflect on what they had to lose.

For their son filled a void in them - a void they hadn't known.
Their son was so much more indeed than simply flesh and bone.
He was the essence of their lives, the product of their love,
Part him, part her, part miracle.....a gift from God above.

As time flew by, she was amazed at how they learned to cope,
Their son gave them a sense of pride, of wonder and of hope;
He filled their lives with so much love, he was their living dream,
A blend of both their souls entwined, a family . a team.

She felt so blessed, and yet an overwhelming urge would rise,
A voice that beckoned her to have another sweet surprise;
And so, one night, she whispered to her husband with a smile,
"I'd like to have another, dear . it's really been a while."

Well, Jimmy was now four years old. How quickly those years flew!
And kindergarten would free up her time, as she well knew
SO, yes, it was the perfect time for them to have another
And Jimmy would be thrilled to have a sister or a brother.


His job was going well, the bank account was fairly strong
Not rich but they could handle most of what could come along.
He held her face in his two hands and gave a gentle smile
And said, "Yes, it is time, my love. It HAS been quite a while."

They say that practice makes it perfect, funny, that was true!
In three short months, the doctor told her when she would be due!
Excited by the news, they sat their son down to explain,
And though he found it interesting, he started to complain.

"Well that's no fun - if they can't toss a ball, or run and play,"
"What good's a baby brother or a sister anyway!?!"
"I'd rather have a puppy, or a friend as big as me,"
"Just send them back, and ask for something else!" he said with glee.

"No, you don't understand, my son", dad told him with a grin.
"You'll have a friend in life to be with you through thick and thin.
No matter what may come in life, the two of you will be
Always there to help each other through it all....you'll see."

"Not only that...you'll always be the oldest one of all.
They'll look to you for leadership. In their eyes you'll stand tall.
You'll be the first in school, the first one out...you'll lead the way.
So whaddaya think of that?" Jimmy smiled and said, "OK!!!"

With Jimmy's blessing, they moved on, and planned for what would come,
The crib came out of storage, and the nursery was re-done;
Throughout her second pregnancy, excitement built anew,
While Jimmy and his dad looked on with every day she grew.

Again he watched her belly grow to watermelon size
As their new child developed right before their very eyes.
At least they still had all the infant clothing, that was true.
It better be a boy because it would be wearing blue!

As time drew closer - grandma came to stay toward the end,
And Jimmy was ecstatic, for she was his special friend;
She kept her grandson busy, while his mother called his dad,
Her due date had arrived - she'd had enough, and she was glad!

This time he didn't panic when she said, "It's time to go."
A veteran of childbirth, he responded nice and slow.
The neighbor outside cutting grass looked over and waved "Hey!"
While he just shrugged and calmly said, "Another on the way...".

Inside, of course, his stomach churned and he was quite a mess.
He didn't understand how his wife handled so much stress!
Recalling how she'd changed while some wild monster took her place
He took along a football helmet with him......just in case!

This time, the birth was quicker, as she panted, huffed and swore,
She yelled out several times, "That's it! I don't want any more!!!"
But all was soon forgotten and replaced with sudden joy,
The moment that the doctor yelled, "Congrats! You have a boy!"

"Another boy?!?! Please check again!!!" Her mind was in a whirl .
She had been certain all along that she would have a girl!!!
"No question, dear." Her husband smiled, as he embraced his son,
Then grinned and said, "Return that dress. My X and Y's have won!"

So that's the way it was, my friends, a family complete
Still unaware of challenges and trials they would meet
For life can be a crapshoot - sometimes "sevens" or "snake eyes"
And fate can deal the cards in ways to catch one by surprise.

But, for the time, their lives were filled with happiness and joy.
They loved each other with a love that nothing could destroy.
Next morning they went home together at the break of dawn
Mom and Dad and Jimmy....and now Mikey, their new son.