The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
What was good about your year | The most significant part of your first year was watching you grow and experience all of your “Firsts.” It was fun to watch you grow from a helpless baby to a more independent baby. You are a delight to everyone around you. You are content and enjoy being with friends and family.
What was hard or challenging for you this year | The hardest thing for you was growing up in a pandemic. I often wonder what it must be like for a baby to see everyone from the “nose up.” Because everyone wears a mask – you miss seeing the smiles & full facial expressions of strangers. You already know what it means to have your temperature taken – even though you haven’t been sick.
How I saw you grow this year | I saw you grow the most through developmental milestones: Rolling over, sitting up, scooting, crawling, walking, cooing, jibber-jabbering, talking, and saying your first word. The first year of life is truly remarkable. You have grown and changed so much. I have enjoyed every second of your development and feel blessed to witness your little life.
Through the first year of your life, I found that the more I let go of trying to mother you with perfection, the easier things became. I learned to depend upon Jesus for wisdom and rely upon Him to fill in the gaps that I knew I was leaving behind.
I love you a million and one | mama
Words of Wisdom | I learned the importance of relying upon the Lord to give me wisdom as I mother you. You struggled so much with nursing at the beginning. Everyone was trying to tell me what to do and how to do it. It was stressful and exhausting. One night, very late, I was trying to hold a nipple shield with a tiny tube over my breast – while trying to get you to latch. I was exhausted. I looked down at you and said, “Lydia, we need to pray. Lord, I don’t know what to do. This child is yours. Help me!” I felt the Lord prompt me to take everything off, hold you, and feed you without any encumbrance. You latched right on and began to eat – it was beautiful and effortless! Through the first year of your life, I found that the more I let go of trying to mother you with perfection, the easier things became. I learned to depend upon Jesus for wisdom and rely upon Him to fill in the gaps that I knew I was leaving behind. I realized that I couldn’t be everything to you – but God can! God is the most valuable resource that I have as a mother. He is also the most valuable resource that you have. He knows what you need. He designed you and created you; He has it all figured out! Run to Jesus quickly and often. Your life will be more satisfying.
I wrote this poem after my long night of crying out to the Lord for wisdom in nursing you. He heard my cry. Lydia, He will hear every cry of your heart too.
As I mother you Others advise what to do I can’t seem to figure it out Trouble is established We are exhausted I cry out, ”Father, this child is yours.” As I release you Encumbrances are removed It is utterly effortless Belief is established We are courageous As I pray for you Motherly perfection dims God illuminates through His word Wisdom is established We are satisfied
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