Do you see this? This girl holding my newborn a year-and-a-half ago? This is Leanna. My best friend since 8th grade. This picture was taken 4 days after Caleb was born. My family had gone home, and I was pretty sure that the times I was being the best mother was when Caleb was in someone else's arms. I was very insecure about what to do with this tiny thing. He demanded so much and so little at the same time. We were still figuring each other out, and I was very much the newbie.

You realize that, right? That the whole "Newbie" part of the blog name refers to Jon and I?

Yeah, even I didn't realize that for awhile.

Well today--18 months after that picture was taken--Leanna is having a son of her own. I hardly slept last night thinking about Leanna and praying for her. I told her if I had to get up and pee in the night (and what prego doesn't?), I would be sure and pray for her. It turns out that she got prayers from me just about the time her water broke! I know, it's like we've been friends for so long, I just knew. Crazy, right?

Leanna was so confident with Caleb, and has loved him so much (and so well) through his little life, that I know she'll be a great mom. She was confident enough to hold Caleb when I didn't feel I could do it. I know there will be times that she'll feel that same insecurity about her own newborn, and I'm praying that there will be someone there (since I can't be) to hold him for her when she needs it. I'm so proud of her, and can't wait to hear when little O'Baby is born!