Luca Meets Jack

Luca stayed at home with my dad while we were at the hospital having Jack. The morning Jack was born he and my dad went to Dunkin Donuts, got donuts and breakfast for Lee, my mom, and Sarah and then came to the hospital to meet Jack.

Lee went out to get Luca, and I held Jack in the hospital bed. Lee walked in holding Luca and our two boys met for the first time. Luca wanted to keep his distance, but peeked over at Jack and said hi and then quickly asked for his donut.

After a bit he sat with Lee and held Jack. I can't recall if he asked to hold him, or if we asked him if he wanted to. He held him and wore the sweetest, proudest smile the whole time.

Our hospital stay was hard on Luca after the first night. He was ready for us to be home and together. After he came to visit again on Friday, he left very tearfully. That was not easy, at all. We were very anxious to leave the hospital on Saturday so we could get to Luca and be home all together. I remember it took a bit longer to get discharged because of Jack's circumcision. It seemed like the doctor came very late in the day which prolonged our stay way beyond what we would have liked.

Once we got home Luca was VERY sweet to Jack. But it was obvious that he was struggling with the transition. Homeboy doesn't seem to do well with change, just like his momma. He acted out a bit and burst into tears often (for no real reason). He NEVER took it out on Jack, or even verbalized that he was upset with or at Jack. He was always so kind and caring towards Jack, either that or just went on his way without much acknowledgement of Jack. Their interactions were never negative. A lot of Luca's outburst were taken out at me or Lee. It was very hard to watch knowing that he was struggling and that there was not much we could do for him other than give him time.

I texted my friend Meg (mother of three boys and my mom-go-to-helper/she knows all things) and she told me that I had given Luca the best gift we could ever give him and to keep reminding myself of that. So I clung to that when my heart felt like it was being ripped in two.

Since it is now 10 months later, I look back on that hard transition and am so grateful that Luca pushed through and is now a stronger, sweeter, even more caring boy than before. I am so proud of him! And the bond between Luca and Jack is already the best. Just yesterday they were playing catch and my heart felt like it just might explode-this time from all the love and joy.