Ohhhhh Lucille!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was our baby nurse, Lucille's 50th birthday. We took this photo for her as we were leaving for her surprise party. She now works for our friends Chip and Jenna taking care of their gorgeous twin boys, Rees and Parker - whom also happen to be our Godchildren. Lucille fondly dedicated the first six months of Sinclair's life to our family.

It seems like only yesterday I came home from the hospital, with no idea of what I was about to encounter into my virgin trek of Motherhood. I had no experience with babies, much less preemies. Then I was dealing with post surgical complications. On day two, one of my dear friends, Courtney called and said "isn't being a new Mother the most wonderful experience?" (spoken by a woman that has a bigger staff than the White House) That was about the moment I lost it and the waterworks came out. Honestly, I had never felt more vulnerable in my entire life. This little (five pound) pink body with bigger lungs than anyone I had ever encountered on Bourbon Street constantly required techniques I was not sure how to confidently administer.

God works in mysterious ways. Fortunately, Courtney had her son a few months before Sinclair and her baby nurse, Lucille was just finishing her job with them less than a mile away and was planning to head back to New York City. For the first time in years she did not have an immediate job following her last. Courtney had a brilliant idea to bring her down that instant to meet us. After I hung up the phone, I reflected that my girlfriend went to Columbia and graduated Magna Cum Laude and this was quite possibly the best idea she has ever had! I was truly a basket case. I am sure this was not Lucille's first time to deal with a hormonal young Mother. I will never forgot her surveying a stack of all the "Sleeping Baby" and "Newborns for Dummies" books I had earmarked - Lucille then inquired in her native Trinidad soothing tongue "if you wanted me to work for you and your husband when would you like me to start?" I looked at her matter of factly, and said "What the hell makes you think you are leaving?"
She was a smart woman she brought her suitcases with her. Another reason I knew this was not her first rodeo. Well, what was suppose to be a three week gig turned into six months!!! God, was looking out for us when Lucille came into our lives. She instantly became family. She was 48 at the time and had seven children and eight grandchildren! She showed us all sorts of tricks and techniques . John fondly called her the "voodoo baby whisperer" -- Sinclair could be hysterical and Lucille would touch her while talking in Tobago speak and my child was a "fixated kewpie doll" instantly. She and John also have a very special bond - she LOVED going with John and Jack Rains to the Aggie football games! What a trooper!! She was CRAZY for college football! Keep in mind, this is a woman that never knew it existed. Then again, most people outside of the South don't. When John came home he would have stories how she had the suite dancing the island moves to the Aggie Band!! I think she even taught Gov. Perry a move or two!

It was a sad day in our house when Lucille moved on. I cried (harder than the day she showed up) - John got misty, Daniel smothered her with kisses and Hailey with hugs! Sinclair and I were especially grateful for all the confidence Lucille gave us those first few months.

Tonight, Sinclair, JoJo, myself, Marlene and Jack honored her at her party. There was so much overwhelming love in the room for this woman.
Sinclair was blowing her kisses when we left -- that is the moment it dawned on me how much my own little angel had grown, as had I.