Kate Has Another Man in Her Life

It happened so fast. Oh, I know it was nine and a half months, but all of a sudden it was over and it happened. I fell in love again hopelessly and forever. It is a love that I know will never waver. No matter what, it will grow stronger. Our sixth child, a 9-pound-5ounce baby boy, Michael William, was born February 1st.
The whole time I was expecting, I loved him because he was our baby. Yet, it seemed like love in the abstract. I wondered what he would be like, what the other kids would think of him and I worried about him. Would he be healthy?
Then he arrived. The second the doctor held him up - I can't even remember if he was right side up or upside down - I began loving him just for himself.
After I checked the baby over, my thoughts traveled back to an afternoon a week before Christmas. I had some errands to do. Patrick didn't want to come along, but I made him, insisting that I needed his help with the kids.
When we were in the drugstore buying stamps and wrapping paper, I noticed Patrick examining the extension cords. I knew he was thinking how he could have used them when he and his dad hung the outdoor Christmas lights the day before.
All of a sudden so many of my motherly feelings rushed forward. Patrick seemed so grown up, yet I remembered when he was a baby. I thought he was the most wonderful baby in the world, and I loved him so much. I didn't think I would have any love left over to give another child. Luckily Colleen was born soon there after, and I quickly realized that love has tremendous room for expansion.
Every day in some way each of my children fills my heart with joy. Every day they also try my patience and fray my nerves. But now, when the house is quiet, I want to remember Patrick thoughtfully bringing the bassinet downstairs the day we brought the baby home from the hospital; Colleen carefully trying to lay the baby in the bassinet after she rocked him to sleep; Maureen making three trips upstairs to get everything I needed for a diaper change; Machaela patiently waiting for her turn to hold the baby until I fed him; and Johnny saying, "I love Michael William."
February 23, 1983

A note from Kate:
There is no baby story about Peter Hardt Cavanaugh, a guy who is cuter than cute itself, because he was born October 21, 1984 when I was between column writing jobs.