Just over a year ago, I wrote a post reflecting on my pregnancy and anticipation of my impending labor, which actually began less than 24 hrs. after finishing the post. I find myself looking back again, this time over a year shared with a brand new little life - the biggest little blessing to come our way in a long time. Jack turned 1 on January 28th, a little over a week ago. I managed to get through the day without any tears, (though I may not make it through this post :). While I was so happy to reach that milestone, it was also bittersweet. As I watch my sweet little baby looking more and more each day like a sweet little boy, I wonder how the time went so fast. And will it always go this fast? Please God, no.
The most memorable moments of the year are probably the most typical - the first time he crawled, cut his first tooth, said his first word, took that first step. But in-between all of those are the "firsts" that I'll stow away in my heart long after he is grown - the first time he looked into my eyes, the first time I heard him laugh, when he first reached out his arms for me to hold him, his excitement when I came home from work, when he would crawl into my lap to fall asleep and his sleepy smiles when he would wake up in the morning, watching his beautiful blond hair grow into that curl on the back of his head, that first drooly kiss...
Jack is such an amazing little boy and has completely stolen our hearts. He looks just like his daddy, right down to his pretty blue eyes. It is so fun to watch him grow and learn and to see little hints of his personality starting to show. If he inherited any of his daddy's, I am definitely going to have my hands full!
Being a mom to this little kid is the best job I've ever had. The best EVER. And though it's not my only job, I really think I would be just as happy if it was. As time passes, I realize more and more just how big and important this job really is. So many things to teach him and show him and prepare him for. The thought of this has led to some soul searching and self-evaluation on my part lately. Because, if I am not at my best, how can I teach him to be?
We are so blessed to have a such a happy, perfectly healthy little boy. I know so many who cannot say the same - so many who are helplessly watching their babies suffer from illness and disease - and we so easily could have been in their shoes. I thank God every day that Jack is strong and healthy.
So, we begin year #2 and all the excitement and adventures it has in store...
