Dear Ethan,
Today marks six months since you graced our lives, and I find myself in disbelief at how quickly time has flown. In my previous letters to your siblings, I may have echoed similar sentiments, but with you, our final addition, it feels profoundly different. You have seamlessly completed our family, making it seem as though you’ve always been a part of us.
Reflecting on these past six months feels akin to winning a jackpot. I could not have wished for a more delightful baby. Your calm demeanor is a treasure that I hope remains with you throughout your life. From the moment you entered this world, you’ve embodied tranquility and joy, making your arrival a true blessing. Honestly, as I write this, I can scarcely count on one hand the instances where you’ve truly cried. You eat, sleep, and beam with happiness. As your father loves to say, “You can’t spell smiles without Ethan.”
You radiate happiness simply by being surrounded by those who adore you. There’s nothing quite as heartwarming as showering you with kisses and witnessing your eyes light up with a beaming smile.
From the moment I discovered I was pregnant, I knew it would be challenging to accept that this was our final chapter of babyhood. Yet, I am endlessly grateful to have you as our last. Your cheerful spirit brings me comfort, allowing me to fully savor every precious moment. For nearly seven years, well-meaning strangers have advised me to “enjoy every moment; it goes by too quickly.” I used to find that advice rather irritating, but now, I appreciate the wisdom and feel fortunate to have embraced every moment of your first six months.
I vividly recall the day your oldest sibling turned six months old. I dressed her in a beautiful party dress, even though we were staying home, and showered her with wrapped gifts. We celebrated with excitement, marking this significant milestone, eagerly anticipating her next achievements like crawling and walking. I was so eager for her to reach those developmental milestones that I barely realized how quickly time would pass, leading to the days of buying first-grade school supplies.
Knowing how fleeting these moments are, I strive to cherish each second with you, my last baby. Sometimes, it feels like I’m racing against time—one that seems to be slipping away faster than I’d like. Yet, you make it easy to pause and relish every moment. Even during busy days filled with activities like Bible camp and swim lessons in sweltering heat, your smile shines bright.
When I find myself in tears as you wiggle out of your swaddle—knowing it’s the last time I’ll wrap my babies this way—you giggle and bring joy back to my heart. As night falls and you’re ready to settle down, you curl up in my arms, as if you understand my reluctance to let you go.
I know it’s time to transition you out of our room, but every morning, I wake up to your radiant smile. If I could gather your siblings and place them back in their cribs next to my bed, even just for one more night, I would do it in a heartbeat. So, for now, I’ll keep you close for a little while longer.
I celebrate every milestone you achieve, sharing in the joy like I did with your siblings, but there’s also a bittersweet tinge to these moments. With each of your firsts, I bid farewell to cherished stages of life. While I will always cheer you on and encourage you to reach new heights, know that I’ll do so with a lump in my throat because you are our last little one.
My hope for you is that your happiness remains unwavering throughout your life. Your joy is infectious, and over the past six months, I’ve noticed that everyone around us seems to smile a little brighter. From family members to strangers at the store, your radiant smile touches everyone. You have filled our hearts with a joy unlike any other, completing our family in a truly special way. For that, I am eternally thankful, Ethan, my last baby.
With love,
Mom