Seven years ago I was at Cottonwood Hospital and Markelle was across town at Primary Children’s Medical Center. After being in Pittsburgh for 3 ½ months post transplant, Markelle got to come home for a month so that I could have a our baby in Utah. The week before Gage was scheduled to be born Markelle got an infection and we ended up in the hospital. Thankfully, Jami slept over and stayed with Markelle while I went to have a baby.
Late that morning I talked the doctor into releasing Markelle from the hospital but the problem was her legal guardian had to sign her discharge papers - small problem when I was across town in labor… I talked to the doctor and faxed a note stating that Markelle’s Aunt Amy could sign and bring her home. When Amy got there the nurse knew very well that she was not really Markelle’s aunt but had compassion for us and let Amy bring her home anyway.
At 1:58 pm, weighing 9 lbs. and 22 inches, Gage came into this world. I immediately called Markelle to tell her that her baby brother had arrived. Mikalie was there shortly to meet him along with our family who had all been anxiously waiting for him to arrive.
After I had met him I knew he should be named Gage. We had name talks for a long time and Markelle wanted his name to be Carter while Mikalie wanted his name to be Gage. We had lots of talks about all of the ways to make fun of his name and wanted to make sure it was not too bad. At the end his name was going to be Gage or Kyle and I could not know for sure until I met him.
Our family was blessed to have him and the girls were so excited to have a baby brother. Markelle was especially happy that in 6 days we would be on a plane back to Pittsburgh and she would not have to share him with anyone. After being there for almost six months Gage would cry when anyone held him but Markelle and me. This did not make Mikalie happy since she missed him so much.
Markelle spent a lot of time mothering him, napping with him, helping bath him and loving him. When I tell him Markelle stories the first thing I tell him is that she loved him the most… and she did!
Gage is an awesome boy who is very smart and funny. He is great with his hands and very mechanically inclined. This last year he started building big Lego sets and only needs our help to find a missing piece. Being outside riding his bike or playing sports is what he loves the most. He has a great personality and loves his family and friends with all of his heart.
Gage has recently started crying at school because he misses me. His teacher lets him call me to say that he loves and misses me... This week when he was telling me that he cried at school again I said "Buddy, I know you love me but I don't want you to be sad at school!" He said, "Mom I was crying because I love you so much my heart was sick." How cute is he?
I am so blessed that God gave Gage to be part of our family and that I get to be his mom.
