My 3rd Child's 1st Birthday

Many feelings but mostly, how can this be? Also featuring, Sharing is Caring Vol. 4

First Birthday

My little boy is turning one today 
I shake my head, how can this be? 
How fast the time is slipping away 

He crawls and smiles, we shout hooray! 
He rips the paper, the girls squeal with glee
My little boy is turning one today 

The memories, in my mind, on replay 
I can still feel his newborn weight on me 
How fast the time is slipping away

Our hearts expanded in all four ways
He slotted in like the perfect key 
My little boy is turning one today 

Three kids means some days are in disarray 
How messy love and family can be 
How fast the time is slipping away 

I feed him to sleep at the end of the day 
So much growing to do, still my baby
My little boy turned one today
Oh, how fast the time has slipped away 

***

I had many feelings on Isaac’s first birthday, my third child, my first son. But mostly I found myself looking at him in disbelief that he is already one and that he’s already -but only - been in our family for a year, and excuse me, where did the last year go?

I had to write a poem to express these feelings and to commemorate this day. I love how a villanelle’s repetition gave expression to the thoughts going through my mind all day on his birthday. And how it describes that recurring feeling of disbelief as we look at our children grow.

When my first daughter, Greta, was born, I had many people tell me, it goes so fast! But I just wanted her to hurry up and get big and start talking so we could have conversations, and my house would stop being so quiet. When my second daughter, Annie, was born, I still didn’t feel like it went fast enough, because I was impatient for her to get big and start talking so that she could become Greta’s playmate. I couldn’t wait to see their sister-relationship grow.

But it was different with Isaac. Maybe because of the 4 year gap? Maybe because I’d been through it two times already and I had the girls to chat to? But his first year really did feel like it went so incredibly fast and I had many more of the um, will you please slow down a little? feelings. He’s definitely grown so much, but in some ways he really is still such a baby. I will continue to soak his littleness up!

Sharing is Caring Vol. 4

Some music our family has been loving lately: Field Recordings // If it wasn’t for Jesus // What a friend // Ephesians 4:26-27 // Like a Tree // Rug Island // Memory Bank //

The other day I listened to this podcast episode about City Alight. I already loved City Alight’s music, particularly Jesus, Strong and Kind, Jerusalem, and The Night Song. I love that they’re Australian and their music is so theologically rich. But this podcast made me appreciate them even more! They do things differently and that was so fascinating to hear.

I finally finished reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy (it only took me a year and a half) and wow, I can see why it is such a classic and so well-loved. I want to buy my own set and highlight all my favourite quotes. What a powerful, epic, awesome story.

The other day I found Waltzing Matilda by Jackie French in the opshop. I had started listening to it on audio one time, but it didn’t grip me. Reading it was way better and I really enjoyed the story. It opened my eyes to Australian history and there were so many interesting parts to it. I need to reserve the next book in the series from the library!

An audio book that did work for me was Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar. As an Australian, I’m not super familiar with the Duggars but find their story fascinating. I really loved the way she tackled her story. She was respectful, she carefully and clearly explained the wrong theology she believed and what she believes now, based on Scripture, and she had a good sense of humour. It was a great reminder to be on the lookout for legalism in my own life! I’m interested in listening to her sister’s memoir, Counting the Cost.

I bought a Son de Flor skirt for my brother’s wedding earlier this year and I just love flouncing around the house in it, twirling at every chance I get. For my birthday in September, my family gave me money to buy a dress and I bought this one. Gah, it’s absolutely gorgeous, has this gorgeous weight to it that I love and yep, it twirls. It takes ages to iron, but worth every minute, because I feel like a princess on a casual day in my castle.

Talking about my baby’s first year, I just had to share this baby feeder to you mums out there who have a baby starting solids. So helpful! And ten times better than the net ones that used to be around!

One of my daughters recently celebrated her birthday too and she got walkie talkies as a present. What a great present idea! The other day when my oldest was at school, Annie and I spent the morning talking to each other via the walkie talkies, her in the play room, me in the kitchen. This is a conversation that happened at one point:

Annie: I haven’t talked to you for a while.

Me: Do you miss me?

A: Yes. And I love you. I wish I could spend every day with you and Dad.

M: Aw, I know. But guess what?! It’s summer holidays soon and then you can!

A: That almost makes me cry from joy.

Bless her little soul.

Thanks for reading and being here! If you have children, how did you feel on their first birthdays? At what moments do you stop and shake your head in disbelief at how fast time goes? And what song, book or cute quote are you just bursting to share? Sharing is caring after all ;)