This post is dedicated to our sweet Lucia on her first birthday! I have to admit that the theme of this recap is a mild product of having contracted second-child syndrome. If anyone recalls, Anabelle’s 1st birthday post consisted of a series of 12 month photos each with its carefully chosen theme & quote. Well…. as the parenting bar got raised with a toddler and newborn, Lucia's monthly pictures fell to the wind as I could no longer remember what month it was or master the art of keeping a toddler from pouncing on a rolling baby. At some point I realized I had a lot of these baby in a mug photos. And alas….Lucia’s theme was born.
In my attempt to attach meaning to this theme I began thinking
about the bottomless cup of caffeine that fuels my day. Even the thought of
caffeine, however, was enough to fuel my trail of thought: Our Cup of
Sunshine. Honestly, if I could describe Lucia in any way this sweet sentiment
provides a remarkable glimpse of her beautiful personality. She is the type of
baby that is always willing to give you a smile, wave to those who cross her path, bounce to the first note in a song, and my favorite- fall
into your arms while kissing you. It was this sweetness and light that helped
us live a “glass-half-full” type of year (Hey! I suppose the theme fits!).
Parenting is all consuming. It is a special time when lows often carry an extra heavy weight, but the highs indescribably expand the capacity of one's heart. Reflecting
on this year, I believe that the glass-half-full in parenting meant:
That the pains of
labor were welcomed and embraced as we were overcome with the excitement of meeting our daughter for the first time.
That we pushed past
the difficult first weeks of breastfeeding to establish an irreplaceable relationship and celebrate each pound gained.
That we held our
breathe with each diaper change to find joy in dirty diapers as a sign of nourishment.
That we sat in a quiet
room in the middle of the night to realize the humbling reality of holding a new child in our arms. Those quiet moments faded the noise and weight of the
world and amplified the precious nature of our daughter's life.
That we soothed your cries to draw you closer and let you know you were safe and loved.
That we calmed every
quarrel with your sister to remind you of your special bound and then only minutes later find the two of you rolling on the floor in laughter.
That we learned to
laugh or provide a gentle ‘shhhhhh’ when you’d give your signature ear-piercing
squeal to remain thankful that you were finding your voice.
That we often limited
our social plans to focus on our family and create those intimate, simple
memories at home.
That we persisted in
the cumbersome tasks of loading the car or packing for a big trip to add
variety and adventure into our first year with you.
That we kissed each
booboo caused by increased mobility to encourage you to explore the world
around you.
That we went to church
often to only pace the back rows or chase your sister. Even though most
weekends we left church more tired than refreshed, bringing you to encounter
the Sacraments and worship with a community reminded us that
you are never fully ours and that our number one job as your parents is to plant these
early seeds aimed at a far greater home in heaven that will allow you to
encounter an even more perfect fullness of communion, peace, joy, and love.
