Weldon Norris Pierce was born at 5:30 p.m. on 9 December 1999, twelve days before he was due. He weighed five pounds and fifteen ounces and had a head full of curly blond hair (which straightened out later), and all the delivery nurses marvelled at how strong he was (especially his muscular little legs). We could see his ancestors all over his little face. He had his Daddy's fine Irish nose, and his Granddad's beautiful blue eyes (we hoped they wouldn't change!).
Wel's Mommy doted on him in a most extreme manner. Having thought her milk was inadequate when she had Stefan, she was ecstatic to find that her breasts overflowed, and Wel not only thrived on her milk, but had a love affair with her breasts -- in fact, he would sulk when they were not immediately available.Mommy worried and fussed and looked everything up, generally driving everyone crazy with her constant questions about the little boy... but she found no greater delight than in seeing him smile when they played Piggies or Pattycake... and, of course, the Itsy Bitsy Spider!
No child ever had a more devoted brother. Stefan came to the hospital as soon as Wel was born, and helped Destinova bathe him, weigh him, and do all those other post-birth things. He was ecstatic! Stefan loved to stand Binky Patrol, give his brother a bottle, and even change his diapers.Although he was a bit taken aback by the awesome responsibility of Being A Big Brother, Stefan learned a lot and really enjoyed hanging out with Wel. He even learned Mommy's silly "Little Bitty Boy" song, and sang it to Wel when he thought no-one was listening. He talked nonstop to anyone who would listen about all the things he did with his little brother, and Mommy and Destinova were very proud of him.
Little Brookie liked having a new cousin, too, and she and Stefan, already like peas and carrots, found a new bond in commiserating about the vagaries of their younger siblings.
They played with, hid from, and fussed over Wel and little Liam, both of them complaining loudly while completely enjoying their roles as Elder Siblings (well, certainly you didn't think they were going to ruin their reputations by admitting they actually ENJOYED their baby brothers, did you?).
Wel bonded instantly with his Granddad (who happens to be pretty great at being a Granddad, by the way). Old Granddad even changed his diapers when he overflowed during a babysitting session (and trust me, for Granddad, that's a lot -- having had four children of his own, he says he has changed enough diapers in his life!).Wel's extended family doted on him possibly as much as his Mommy did, to the point that Mommy began to think her name was, "Where's that baby?" His Aunts Kiki, Kika, and Teri, and his Uncles Greg and David, delighted in his smile and sunshiny disposition.
In general, Wel brought joy and love to all of us who knew him, and even in death he continues to bring us together. While we miss him, we know that all too soon we will meet again with him in the Summerlands, and raise a glass to all the joys we had in this life together.
Blessed be, Little Boy!