One of my favorite things about becoming a mother was watching how my little people totally changed the way I see the world, how I see my parents, how I interact with other people’s children, how it made me more tuned into all my senses. When the room is just a tad too chilly or the light is too bright or the TV too loud, I notice now. I kind of notice everything. And how I loved noticing the sweet new ways that Nyama and Joe’s life is changed now that JJ is in their world, how Joe has figured out that JJ’s cries are silenced by a little upright rocking close to dad’s chest, how JJ loves the light and finds it with his beautiful eyes when cuddled by his mom, how grandma’s snuggles and bouncing embrace are pretty much the best. After spending a few hours in JJ’s gorgeous home it was easy to see that this little man has a lot to look forward to: his dad is excited to instill and nurture a love of Basketball in him and his mom and grandparents are keen to  teach him about his family history that spans from the American midwest to Sierra Leone. As grandma wrapped him a blanket she used to wrap Nyama as a baby, I spied a river in the backyard that will undoubtedly serve as an incredible background and all around evidence of his mom and dad’s love for one another. Welcome to the world baby JJ, the future is bright and beautiful.