To Sammy, my sweet third baby,
You came into our lives like a whirlwind in the dead of winter, thrusting us into life with three boys aged 4 & under unplanned.
There were a lot of sleepless nights and tears (for you and me both!). Let’s be honest, its been organized chaos. And it’s been a lot of work. But is all worth it when I see you smile.
And amidst the craziness, theres been so many cuddles & so much love. And there is no doubt you have completed the trio. The three musketeers. Nothing can replace the bond I see between you and your brothers.
You made our family of five complete.
Today & this weekend, we will celebrate your first birthday. We’ll sing songs and blow out birthday candles. I’ll hug you extra close and savor this final first. I try to close my eyes and etch these moments in my mind permanently because I know they will be gone before I blink my eyes....The late nights holding you & nursing you, your gummy, toothy smile. Your giggle as you crawl away from me. Holding you on my hip everywhere I go, my sidekick. The way you snuggle into me every night. The way you look for me.
I’m the center of your world today, but tomorrow you will need me a little bit less.
Even though the years seem so far away, I know how fast the time goes by watching your older brothers. I know someday too soon, you’ll be waving your first goodbye as you leave me on your next adventure.
So, if I hold on too tightly, please try to understand. This is my way of trying to soak in all these final firsts so I’ll never forget. The final firsts and the “lasts” have already started. And I pray that some of those lasts I’ll know as they happen so I can make them last a little longer.
And while I tear up thinking about what I’m leaving behind, Your smile and laugh reminds me that I have so much to look AHEAD to rather than looking back. So as this chapter closes, I’ll be crying and dying a little bit inside. But I’ll also be smiling tears of joy for the next one because it’ll be just as beautiful, just in a different way.
Thank you for being everything I didn’t know I needed. Thank you for being the glue in our family. Thank you for being the third boy to balance out our trio.
Happy birthday to my sweet boy. Here’s to many more!
xoxo