Dear Aussie,
You may look back when you’re older and note that you don’t have portraits commemorating every month of your first year. You also didn’t have an intentional outfit chosen for your one year portraits–we were outside, you were wearing a onesie. I was shocked it still fit (and you looked absolutely darling in it), so it seemed the best time to grab your bat and the camera so make sure we got them done.
But can I tell you something?
Of all our babies, you’re the most loved.
No, I’m not saying you’re mommy’s favorite. I mean, from the moment you’ve been born, you’ve had three older siblings fighting for your attention. Many a morning, I am disregarded so they can greet you first.
Perhaps it being baby number four, perhaps it’s just you; but I feel like there were so many things you just skipped. You hardly used the walker and exesaucer. I never got around to getting you a new baby gym. You were held, carried, and loved, until you bearcrawled yourself into walking.
I never felt pressure to sleep train you or make you more independent from the get to, I’ve done this enough, I don’t care about the opinions of others, and for that I am grateful. Every time I hold you, I feel I’m holding sand–your infancy slipping away in every moment. I cherish every thigh squish, feel everyone should fawn over you when you enter the room, and want you back the moment I hand you away.
Now, before I get carried away in my sentimentality, here are a few things you should know about yourself at this current stage of life:
You have found your love of books and I am thrilled, even when I’m reading the 8 page “God Made Everything” book. When in your sister’s room, your favorite thing is to get a book and climb into the baby chair. I love to see it.
You are my first child to show a strong food preference–from the beginning of starting solids, you always opted for meat (Even bone broth was preferred to veggies!). Which is understandable, you need protein to maintain that figure.
I’m afraid to say, purple is not your color, especially lilac. Ironic given we got you both a lavender blanket and plush bat.
Kpop Demon Hunter keeps you from crying in the car, particularly Soda Pop and How It’s Done–not that you are a hard baby to travel with, in general you do splendidly.
You have mastered the dramatic slow pout to cry to the point of being pitifully comical. You are also more prone to scream at us than cry.
Apart from that double ER visit this summer, which I’m sure you will never hear the end about, this year with you has been a joy.
Love,
Mom
