Corbin Thresher Ross...
There are two installments of the twins’ story on this blog, (Chapter 1 and Chapter 2), even a tribute to our only girl Sweet Caroline, a letter to Parker, and the journey to Weston’s new normal, but what about the guy in the middle? I have yet to really share about the boy who is a friend to everyone, truly believes he is a Power Ranger and is the best snuggler. I have neglected to share the stories of our rainbow baby, the guy with the best smile, who has a knack for making conversation with anyone. Mr. Social, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Love-Bug, and the best brother. Our guy that was perfectly made to be right in the middle of our crew, Corbin Thresher Ross, this is his story…
Photo by Peter Vu Photography
I have shared before that we lost a baby in the summer of 2014. After our loss, Mo and I decided to take a year to really think about whether or not we wanted to add to our family, whether we were willing to endure this sort of pain again, and whether this was a sign saying you are done, be thankful for what you have. As the year moved forward there were so many things I was sad about, so many things I had envisioned we would be doing with baby number three, so we decided that our hearts had more to give, our family wasn’t yet complete, and so we tried again.
This pregnancy was very different, but in a good way. I was more active during this pregnancy, consistently attending at least two Barre3 classes a week - up until I was 38 weeks! With my first pregnancy, that is all I could think about, I was totally consumed with each step, I read every book, but with the second it was different. Parker had yet to turn two when Weston was born, so I almost don’t even remember my second pregnancy because I was busy with a young toddler (what I didn’t realize is that was actually easy compared to what life was like when I was pregnant with the twins - it’s all perspective though). So this pregnancy felt like a breeze, I had more energy, Parker and Weston were five and three years old, so life felt more manageable and at the same time I could be more present, but there was one fear that stayed with me all 40 weeks - loss. When you have a miscarriage, if you are fortunate enough to carry another baby, fear can become overwhelming. I would hold my breath each time I went to the doctor, hoping they would find a heartbeat. I would lay as still as I could just to have the chance to feel a wiggle or punch. Seeing that baby move on the screen or within my belly brought me so much joy and reassurance. Fear can be a terrible weight to carry when you are growing a child.
Corbin Thresher Ross arrived on December 11, 2015, exactly two weeks before Christmas. We were surprised and overjoyed to learn we were blessed with our third boy and his brothers fell instantly in love. Everything about Corbin has been easy - minus my maternity leave. As a teacher I can take six weeks of maternity leave, or up to twelve weeks. Due to the circumstances surrounding paid and unpaid time off I always opted for a six week leave (except for when I had the twins). Having Corbin around winter break, saved me sick days (they deduct our sick days during paid leave), but it also meant the combination of a newborn and the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I could have very easily said “no” to everything, but I didn’t, I couldn’t. I had two young boys who were expecting the holidays to be a certain way, families that wanted to spend time and meet our new addition, so we did everything - we traveled, we gathered, we celebrated and it was wonderful, but at the same time, I was run down and exhausted by the conclusion of it all. What resulted was my final weeks of maternity leave were plagued with mastitis, a kidney infection, and sadness. Once we moved beyond this hurdle and settled into our life as a family of five, we started to see the sweet boy Corbin was growing to be.
Having two older brothers provides Corbin with playmates and models. He crawled before the other boys, walked before them, held conversations before they did. He amazes me with his ability to color within the lines, and reenact a scene from a story. His choice in vocabulary is far beyond his years and so is his compassion. Corbin is an old soul. He is witty and kind, creative and ornery. I see a mixture of his older brothers in him - athletic like Parker, but a storyteller like Weston.
Corbin was just seven months old when we learned that we were once again blessed, and this time with twins. Corbin was just starting to move around, sit on his own, eat new foods. His blonde hair was just starting to sprout and his teeth were starting to push through. He seemed too little to carry the weighted titled of older brother. And so honestly, Corbin went from an infant to a big boy right before our eyes, partly because for us this moment in time was such a blur and also because that’s kind of just who he is - easygoing, adaptable, and resilient.
Corbin quickly learned that in this family you must jockey for position. Even before he graduated from the baby to the middle child, Corbin found his voice. He is a conversationalist, filled with quick wit and humor. Corbin has never met a stranger and doesn’t easily fade into the background. He loves talking with adults and has made many dear friendships in his young life, like with Mr. Jeff (our neighbor), his Papa (my father) and Ms. Kathy (Daycare Specialist). Confidence is not something he lacks and we love him for it.
I find myself often clumping Corbin with one group or the other. Many times he is a part of the “big boys,” but then he also runs as one of “the littles.” Corbin has found a way to navigate both groups and bounces between them with ease. You will find Corbin playing soccer with the his older brothers, or acting as an equal in a competitive BeyBlade battle. He knows how to navigate Fortnite and build intricate narratives with Legos. But then Corbin is also the leader of the littles. They become entranced with Disney storylines, scooter on the back path fighting bad guys, and will create elaborate train tracks for Thomas and his friends. Corbin can be patient and kind with his sweet voice when setting up the rules for play with the twins, but then will be strong and stubborn when maneuvering through more mature situations presented by his older brothers and their friends. Corbin contains the perfect personality for our guy in the middle. Knowing that he will travel through life with two older brothers who will protect him and guide him as well as a younger brother and sister who will be his companions and supporters, brings me so much joy. He is surrounded by love in so many ways.
Corbin Thresher Ross - as he will proudly say when asked his name - you are something special. You are my rainbow, my baby boy (even though you are tucked in the middle). You are a friend to all, reassuring voice, and consistent playmate. You are creative, intuitive, empathetic and kind. Your dimples are irresistible and so is your smile. You melt mommy’s heart with your blue eyes, freckles and strawberry blonde hair. You will move mountains one day and when you do, you will raise those around you up. I’m blessed you are mine and even more blessed that you fit perfectly right in the middle of our Party of Seven.
