My Baby.

I just finished putting my baby to bed.  Tomorrow, she will be a 1 year old.  I savored every minute of her bedtime this evening.  Every spoonful of raspberry yogurt was offered in love and I watched carefully as her chubby little fingers picked up pieces of sweet strawberry. I am in love with this baby.  After some playtime and giggles, Eden started rubbing her eyes and looking very sleepy.  I whispered to her “it’s bed time Eden” and she nodded as I took her to her room to grab a nigh-nigh from her crib.  She squealed in delight as I threw the blanket over my shoulder and she nuzzled her head in to cuddle it, something she does every.single.time.  Then she started humming sweetly, knowing bedtime was coming soon, as I kissed her head and breathed in her smell.  Her baby smell.

I nursed her in the living room, half watching the Jets game, half whispering to her and telling her how much I love her.  We have a little blinking game that we do.  She stares up at me, her big blue eyes locked in with mine. I blink once, she blinks once.  I blink twice, she blinks twice.  It’s so sweet.  Precious moments with this sweet little one.  After she was done nursing, she started squirming and wanted to make a quick getaway.  I scooped her up into my arms and she cried a little as we were walking to her room.  I held her close and started praying and she immediately stopped crying and let me cradle her in my arms, like a baby. Her eyes were bright eyed and wide with wonder as she listened to my every word to Jesus.  I thanked Him for the very special girl I was holding.  I thanked Him for bringing us through her first year.  I prayed for health and wellness for Eden’s 2^nd year.  After a few minutes, with the baby still lying perfectly still and cuddled in my arms, I started singing to her.  The song I have sang all my kids “hold on to Jesus, cling to His love...” and I held her close enough that I could kiss her cheeks and rub my nose on her soft skin at the same time.  When she was a few months old, Erik & I were sometimes able to ‘kiss her to sleep’.  It was magical.  She would actually fall asleep as we kissed her face over and over and over again. I wondered if I’d be able to do that now, but after singing the song a third time I knew that she was ready for her crib.  I lay her down in her favorite position and tucked the blanket around her, just like she likes it.  I whispered “Goodnight Baby” for the last time as an 11 month old and patted her full tummy, fully aware that tomorrow when she wakes up, it will be her birthday.  She’ll be 1.

This past year has been amazing.  Perhaps the best year of my life.  Yes, it was hard at times, but God was there.  He saw us through, and held us close.  He answered many prayers in Eden’s 1^st year of life, and for that I am so very grateful.  I treasure her, I cherish her, my baby. She has brought love to our home in ways that I didn’t know were even possible.  Her sisters adore every ounce of her, and it’s exciting to know their sister relationships will only grow and strengthen.  It’s been a precious year.  And many times my eyes have filled with tears as my heart practically bursts, with happiness and thanksgiving, and I soak in every minute of being a Momma.