Words by Jessica...

In the midst of it all, I often try to pause and reflect on life’s surreal moments - dancing in the rain on a summer day, the quiet calm that follows diving out of a plane, watching ocean waves crash as the sun rises, cuddling your puppy on a Sunday morning, the raw emotion of walking down the aisle to the one you love - just to name a few. I try not to compare, but rather enjoy each moment for what it is. Sometimes I know when one is coming and other times I don’t realize it until it has passed. On Saturday, July 18, I knew one was coming…

After 10 months of pregnancy and 11.5 hours of labor and delivery, Brian and I were given one of the most beautiful and surreal moments of our lives - we met our daughter, Indie Ryan, for the very first time. She came on a rainy afternoon in July - 3:28 p.m. When the nurse placed her skin-to-skin on my chest, Brian and I looked at each other with tears and joy in our eyes. 

The hospital room was busy with nurses and the doctor coming in and out to perform their post-birth tasks, but all I could see was the most beautiful tiny human and my incredibly loving, supportive husband. 

Nothing in this world could have prepared Brian and I for the overwhelming love and joy we felt in that moment and every moment with Indie since then. I didn’t understand what people meant when they said a baby would change our lives forever. I thought they meant we would be exhausted from not sleeping or we wouldn’t be able to do things we once did very easily. I realize though, it wasn’t about that at all - it changes your understanding of life itself. The past two weeks, I have found myself perfectly content just staring at her beautiful eyes, rosy cheeks, tiny hands and feet all day without another care. I love every moment. 

One day, we hope to show her the world and she will experience her own surreal moments… until then, Brian and I (Rooney too) will enjoy the one we are in.