Advice: Welcome to the family, baby Austin

BY MARIA LUISA SALCINES

There’s nothing more emotional than welcoming a grandchild into this world.

On Feb. 21, our grandson Austin Lazaro Salcines was born in Los Angeles.

Our youngest son’s wife gave birth to our fourth grandson, another precious little boy to add to the Salcines family.

There are many reasons for my grandson’s name. His mom’s middle name is Austin, his parent’s attended the University of Texas at Austin and fell in love and married in the Texas capital. His middle name is that of my dad, his great grandfather.

I always thought that I could never love anything more than my children. Then I became a grandmother.

To see your son holding his son is a moment you won’t forget. I looked at Austin and I swear he could be the same baby I held 35 years ago. He has the same little nose and round face as his father and his mother’s beautiful lips.

I spent two and a half weeks with this bundle of joy, and I couldn’t get enough of him.

I couldn’t stop holding and kissing him, and watching him while he slept. His baby smell and soft silky skin were irresistible.

Every sound and face he made was adorable, and I have pictures and videos to prove it.

To say that we are thrilled is an understatement. Both abuelo and I are in awe of this little boy and can’t help but think back on our lives. It seems like only yesterday that we were having babies.

My children are what I am most proud of in life. Nothing compares to the pride I have felt being their mother and watching them become adults.

When you have a baby, it’s difficult to imagine what your child will be like when he or she grows up. And then you blink and your baby is having a baby.

I am in awe of the miraculous gift God has bestowed on your family. Babies are little miracles that remind you of how precious life is.

You don’t just love and raise your children; you are also passing this emotional bond on to your grandchildren.

This unconditional love bonds generations and allows you to live on within your grandchildren.

So dear Austin, welcome to our family. You are now a part of this crazy Cuban clan that will love and take care of you for the rest of your life.

Abuelo and abuela will spoil you, and remind you that their love for you is a grand love, a sky full of stars kind of all consuming love you will always be able to count on.

Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer and certified parent educator with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom. Follow her on Twitter @PowerOfFamily and on Instagram at mlsalcines. Contact her on her blog FamilyLifeandFindingHappy.com.