Artifact Motherhood | The Sting of the Last First

Artifact Motherhood | The Sting of the Last First

5.27.2021

It's been a wonderful year watching him grow and learn.  He's becoming his own little person.  There is so much joy in having a baby.  But when it's the last one, there's a distinct sting to it too - for every one of his firsts is my last as a mama.

Happy First Birthday, Ezra!

This is Artifact Motherhood -- a project shared with other female artists who are documenting our journeys as mothers and creating memories for our children through our photographs and words.

Please visit the next wonderful artist LAUREN WEBSTER to read her post in our blog circle.

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Reflection on an Upcoming First Birthday

Reflection on an Upcoming First Birthday

5.13.2021

At this time last year I was about 38 weeks pregnant. I felt huge and uncomfortable but was eagerly anticipating the arrival of our last little boy. I wish I could go back in time. There's nothing in the world quite like the exciting anticipation of birth. Few other times in my life have made me feel as if I was fulfilling my soul's divine destiny more than caring for a newborn. 

I have cherished Ezra's babyhood as much as humanly possible. I feel so grateful that he joined our family and I was able to enjoy a fourth baby. But babies change so fast! And though I can hug Ezra right in this very moment, each picture I see is a reminder of the child who no longer exists. 

Needless to say, I am feeling a whole range of emotions as his first birthday approaches. I'm grateful, yet sad. 

Ezra's babyhood is slipping right through my fingers! However, I know there are a million and two reasons to smile because there is so much more ahead to look forward to. Ezra's first birthday is simply a very bittersweet milestone for me as my last baby. 

So happy birthday Baby Boy! I love you more than words can say. You've brought so much joy into my life - our family's life - this year and I cannot wait to experience the happiness you'll undoubtedly bless us with in the future.

 

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A Day in the Life 2021

A Day in the Life 2021

5.11.2021

These are my 9th annual (can you believe it?) day-in-the-life photos!  I've been taking photos of one ordinary day in May every year since 2013.  I still cherish those very first photos when Jed was just 3 years old and refer to those past blog posts often because so much changes in just one year!

So welcome to Wednesday May 5, 2021 -- our 14th anniversary!  I chose our anniversary because, why not?  I love my Honey Buns.  But I also chose it because I've been taking the big boys to swim team every Monday and Wednesday since the beginning of February.  It's become a part of our routine.

*****

Jed and Levi's alarm goes off at 6:50AM.  They are the world's best kids at getting themselves up and ready for the school day.  It makes me feel like the world's laziest mom, but hey, I give myself some credit for teaching them this kind of discipline.  Lol.  Levi comes out to the kitchen wrapped in a blanket to grab some breakfast while Jed hops in the shower.  Then they switch.

I roll myself out of bed a few minutes after 7:00AM to come say good morning, make sure they've got their backpacks together, and most importantly, kiss them goodbye.  The bus picks them up promptly at 7:30AM.

I've been trying to get myself into a morning exercise routine.  Some days I don't fit it in til nap time, but on this particular morning, I'm able to fit in 20 minutes of kettlebells.  Kettlebells have been helping to strengthen my back and core.  I feel so much better after swinging some weight around, it's crazy!

It's also our anniversary, so I place a little card I've signed on the kitchen countertop next to some sushi I bought the day before; sushi is one of Bron's favorite food.

Then I help Conrad pour some cereal... from a box that he ripped open like an animal.

I can hear the baby has been fussing through the monitor for several minutes so I go to his room to greet him.   

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