Perfectly Fit

My Dearest Tadpole,

Three days ago you turned 11 months. With the crazy month we've been having, I almost missed it. But when I was dating a check, there it was: the 23rd of April, and seeing it made me gasp and my heart fluttered. Next month you will be one.

I hate that I'm having such a hard time with this. I feel as though I am the epitome of the cliche mother, one that walks around all the time saying "I don't want my baby to get old" or "It goes by so fast." I never had this problem with the girls, but you are my baby boy, my last. And so it's hard.

But at the same time I'm so proud of you, and the little boy you are becoming. You cruise along furniture very fast. On Easter, your first Easter, you took one tentative step towards me. Very soon you'll be walking.

You get so angry because I won't let you crawl everywhere and get into everything. You're also going through a biting-while-nursing phase, which I am not liking at all.

But you are oh so snuggly, and love to give kisses.

I love that you are so snuggly. I love it that you get so happy and excited when I walk in the door, even if I was just getting the mail. I love that you are so in love with your sisters, and they in love with you.

I love how you fit so perfectly, so completely, into our lives and the family. It's as if you always belonged, as if that space was always waiting patiently for you to come into our lives and fill it.

Happy 11 months, little man. We love you so much.

Perfectly Fit