The Third One

The third one. I just adore this child. I simply adore him. When I think about him during the day (while hard at work, of course), I just smile. I picture him laughing. I picture his sweet little little round face with chubby cheeks and big brown eyes . . .ahhh, what an angel. I can almost smell his sweet baby scent. My sweet angel, Evan.

From the moment I walk in the door each night, I scoop him up and want to do everything else one-handed because I don't want to put him down. I love having a baby. I LOVE having a baby. I want to savor every minute with my sweet little Evan because I KNOW how quickly he will grow into toddlerhood and I will miss the innocence of this sweet little child that could once fit nicely onto my hip, comfortably allowing me to unload the dishwasher or tend to his older brothers with my other hand:)

Of course, I love all three of my children. I love each of them for their own unique style, attitude and amazing self. Without a doubt, each one brings us enlightenment and joy with his personality and unique ways. Each boy is overflowing with individualism and Dan and I just soak it up.

But there is something special about our baby Evan.

Is it because he is such a good baby? And I'm not kidding, when I say he is a good baby. A great sleeper, great eater, no fussing, no screaming . . . just a constant state of contentment and happiness. And man, can this baby smile. It doesn't matter who you are, Evan's got a smile for you. And there is nothing in the world quite like a baby's sweet smile. It can turn a mood or even an entire day around. It is a joy to travel anywhere with Evan because he smiles at everyone. At work, on elevators, getting his diaper changed. He is just an angel.

Is there something special about Evan because we are more experienced as parents? Since we have now done this "baby thing" twice before, Dan and I are keenly aware of how quickly the first year passes. It seems as though we just found out that we were expecting our third, and here he is already enjoying gourmet solid food as pictured above:) My point being, our first time as parents and to a lesser degree the second, we were nervous about doing everything "right." We took care with every step to follow orders or recommendations when Drew and Owen were little babies and before we knew it, we were celebrating their first birthdays wondering where the time went. With Evan, things just feel natural. He fit right into our family the moment I first held him. We are calm and have allowed ourselves to simply enjoy him.

Or finally, is it because I have the pending sense that he may be our last child? My last time to experience the joys of a baby's first year, to learn that I'm pregnant, to give birth, to nurse, to play . . . . . yikes - could this be a real possibility? I'm not even going to go down this path at the moment. I'm just going to enjoy my little man and this wonderful blessing God has given us.

To my sweet little Evan. My third little angel. Mommy just adores you.