There are so many jokes about the third and fourth kids. How they don't have baby books or as many pictures, and in many ways, the stereotype holds true. I never got around to blogging his birth, and now the details are far more hazy. Ironically, part of our decision to try for Baby #4 had to do with wanting more time to soak in all the little moments after having the first three babies so close together. Yet, this year has been busy, to say the least. I was afraid the craziness of this year would rob us of enjoying the sweet baby moments. Eli traveled more miles and to more states in his first three months than many people in their entire lives. We've moved three times. Throw a deployment in there, and this year was not at all what we had pictured.
Still, as I looked back at pictures from the last year, I was struck by a few things:
- How content of a baby he is. Seriously, I looked back and have so many pictures of him sleeping. Laying down on his own. Even early in his life. This has definitely not been the norm for us, as we had very fussy babies that loved to be held. I am not sure if it’s because he’s the fourth baby and I’m more relaxed as a parent, or if it’s because he’s the fourth baby and along for the ride. Mostly, I think it’s God’s graciousness for me in a hard season of life. Whatever the reason, he is the happiest, sweetest babe, and I love it.
- He has the sweetest smile and giggle. He loves to be kissed at the base of his neck and he giggles every single time. He smiles huge and wiggles his body every time he hears music. He especially loves Wheels on the Bus and anything Cocomelon.
- This kid loves to eat! Despite food allergies and sensitivities, he pretty much chows down on anything we give him. He also so messy! I pretty much have to change his clothes after every meal. He signs “more” and “all done,” but mostly it all means more until he throws his food and cup on the floor when he’s done.
- He has started giving kisses and babbles all the time. He says “Dada” most often, and he’s copying all kinds of sounds.
- We sleep trained him earlier in life than our other kids out of necessity with Andrew being away. He is also our first baby who plays and babbles in the crib when he wakes up instead of crying. He still takes two naps a day most is the time, although he won’t sleep if we aren’t at home. His willingness to embrace sleep has been a huge mercy for me trying to do school with the big kids. I firmly believe sleep training helped his contentedness.
- I love watching him grow and learn and explore. He’s taking his first steps and getting braver every day. He loves to climb and can climb an entire flight of stairs on his own (with me behind him, obviously). He will happily play and cruise around and explore in his playpen or wherever we are.
- He loves being held and carried. We used my favorite ring sling when he was itty bitty (relatively, because he was almost 10 lbs at birth)! I had an Ergo carrier that I used with the other three, but it was pretty worn, and I found a nearly brand new Lillebaby carrier for a steal, and we have loved having that for him as we go out and about.
- We are still breastfeeding strong. He never took a bottle well, so I haven’t pumped in months, but he nurses several times a day. I would love to make it to at least 18 months and then reevaluate, but we have no plan on quitting until he’s ready.
- Eli has his own fan club. I love watching his siblings dote on him, cheer for him, and celebrate each new milestone. Sometimes they love him a little too fiercely, and they often have to be reminded that he’s his own person and not a baby doll, but they love him so much, and I love to watch them together.
- I have missed getting to share and celebrate all the big milestones and little moments with Andrew over the past months. It’s been hard for all of us having him away, but I am so grateful to get to be here and share this time with my family. They have celebrated and cheered with me, helped me when it gets overwhelming, and it has been so sweet to share his first year with them.
Our last baby turning one has been hitting me hard—not in a way I want more babies, but it makes me reflective and looking back fondly on those sweet moments of pregnancy and newborn days. It makes me almost want to do it again, but I know myself and I’m at capacity with our crew now. Instead, I look forward to all the adventures we’ll have as a family of six. Maybe we’ll grow our family through foster care or adoption one day, but for now, we’re done. My body is done having babies, and I want to focus on making it strong to keep up with our very energetic family.
This year went by like a blink, but I was present as much as possible in every moment. That’s all I could have asked for.
Happy first birthday, sweet Baby Boy! We love you so much!
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