End of the Umbilical Era

I remember when Micah was a couple weeks old in the NICU, and his umbilical stump fell off. I was there that afternoon, and the nurse handed it to me and asked if I wanted to keep it. At the time, I thought it was pretty gross. No, thanks. (People actually save those?!)

But today for the first time in four babies, when David’s came off at 2 weeks, 2 days old, I was tempted to keep it. . . Don’t worry, dear–I didn’t. I was just tempted to.

The umbilical stump always seems like a sign of just how newborn a baby is. . . Meaning, it was mere days ago, that this was the lifeline from the baby to the momma. . . And once the baby grows past that, it’s not long before the “snuggling” stage ends too. . .

Oh, wow, I’m getting all sappy. Over the umbilical stump!  . . it’s the end of an era for us. . .