My little boy turned one yesterday. One year old - one trip around the sun. He's a sweet, sweet, happy, funny, gentle, snuggly, jolly little one. I love him so.
And so does the rest of the gang. If a Mama were ever to worry (as all Mama's do from time to time) about the life of a fourth baby in comparison to say, the oldest...well, I need only look around me these past few weeks to be reminded of just how very loved, doted on, and attended to he is - by so many soul(e)s.
For weeks now, there have been surprises in the works. Children squirreled away with duct tape and saws and paper and pen and much excitement. Each with their own projects, their own ideas of who Harper is and what he loves. And each of them so very accurate - as different as they may be.
So when there are squabbles, and when it feels as though our family is running in four distinctly different directions with each child, and when it feels like no one is getting their needs met....and I begin to worry about this fourth baby's lack of baby book or other such silly thing...well, I hope in those moments I can remember things like this: A boy traipsing through the woods for the perfect maple with which to make his little brother blocks; another with pen and paper refining the perfect "troll that looks like Harper" to draw and sew onto a shirt; and a third dreaming up a recipe with her brothers' favorite ingredients together in one cake (carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin, oh my!). Oh - and all the poems and the songs and the special knowing sibling smiles and silliness, too. They way they look at him, and the way he shines back at them. It's something so special.
He is so very loved.
And I am quite certain he knows that.
Happy first birthday, Harper Jude! We are all so glad you're here.
