Dear Leo,
Today marks your first birthday! It feels like just yesterday that we welcomed you into our family. You have filled our lives with more joy and laughter than we ever thought possible. From the moment you arrived, you blended seamlessly into our lively household. Although this past year has zipped by, I have genuinely cherished every precious moment.
When people advised me to “enjoy every moment” with your older siblings, I often felt overwhelmed. It was hard to grasp how time could fly when I was knee-deep in diaper changes and tantrums. But now, with seven years of parenting experience under my belt, I can see exactly what they meant. Time truly does have a way of slipping through our fingers.
As I gazed at your tiny face on the night you were born, I understood the fleeting nature of these early days. I realized that while sleepless nights would eventually fade, the feeling of cradling a newborn would also be a memory. So, I made a promise: to savor every single moment of your babyhood.
Yet, despite my efforts to enjoy each day, I can’t slow down time. As the youngest child, it pains me to think about how fast you’re growing. Each milestone we celebrate also means leaving behind a stage of your life—and ours.
In recent weeks, as we prepared for your birthday party, I’ve experienced a mix of excitement and sadness. Folding your tiny clothes, I found myself telling your dad, “I can’t believe we won’t have any more babies.” It felt selfish to feel down during such a joyful time. I wasn’t ready to accept that my baby was turning 1 and that we were closing the chapter on infancy and counting ages by months.
But then it struck me: you will always be my baby, just like your siblings. Parenting doesn’t stop just because you’re one. I will bid farewell to many cherished moments after your first year, but my role as your parent will continue for a lifetime. Your needs may evolve, but you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Your dad often jokes about how much we still do for your siblings, who are all still very much our babies too. Despite the challenges, we’ve realized that you, Leo, are truly the easiest of the bunch. Even as you grow and become more independent, I’ll always miss holding you close, but I know I’ll find joy in watching you embrace new adventures.
As we celebrate your first birthday today, we rejoice in the amazing person you are becoming. Your laughter is infectious, and you have a natural gift for making your siblings smile. You love to be cuddled, and your eyes light up when you see us—it brings so much happiness to our lives.
Happy birthday, my sweet boy! Remember this:
You may not always hold my hand by clutching my finger, and those tiny dimples on your hand will eventually fade, but in my eyes, you will always be my baby.
You won’t always sit at my feet while I cook, gazing up at me with those big, curious eyes, but you will always be my baby.
You might not need me every day as you grow older, but I will always be here for you when you do, because no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby.
I will miss the way your tiny head smells after a bath as you sit in my lap for storytime, but I will be in awe of you as you read on your own for the first time. I’ll reminisce about how you crawled across the house, pushing off with one leg, but I’ll cheer you on when you take your first steps, learn to run, and eventually drive.
You will never again be the 7-pound, 15-ounce bundle that came into our lives last January, and despite my attempts to freeze time, it’s time to embark on the next adventure of raising four wonderful kids. Your needs will change, but you will forever remain my baby.
Love,
Mom
For more insights on parenting and family life, check out this post on Intra-Cervical Insemination. If you’re interested in at-home insemination kits, visit Make a Mom. And for more info on intrauterine insemination, refer to this excellent resource from Cleveland Clinic.
Summary: On the occasion of Leo’s first birthday, a mother reflects on the rapid passage of time and the bittersweet nature of watching her youngest child grow. Despite the changes that come with each milestone, she vows that he will always hold a special place in her heart as her baby.