I think I’ve won the award for the worst at taking monthly photos for my third child, but at the same time I guess that’s his right as baby number three, right? But I couldn’t let him hit his first Birthday without documenting this entire year in this space. Happy first Birthday, Jude! (As of the sixth…a few days late).

I know you always hear parents say, “How did time go by so fast?!” I am sure you probably think it’s a cliche statement by now. But I am telling you, third baby, time FLIES. I think you are SO busy with all the kids, all the to-do’s, all the non-stop demands of being a mom that truly you look up and realize an entire year has gone by. I literally look up and can’t figure out how a year went by so quickly. At the same time, I do still feel like Jude is a baby. Turning one used to make me feel like they were so big, but when I put him up to his brother and sister I realize he is still my sweet baby…for now at least. That could literally change tomorrow. So don’t hold me to that.

Jude has kept me on my toes this year. He is by far my most laid back, easy going, biggest mama’s baby that I have. But, he’s been sick so much his first year it’s kept me on his toes. Pretty much from November – February he suffered back to back ear infections and I learned that I truly can survive on little to no sleep. We got so close to putting tubes in his ear and then BAM…no more ear infections. I honestly have no idea what to make of that, but I am thankful to avoid tubes for now. Due to all the sickness, Jude made me a co-sleeping parent for a few months. Never say never moms, you’ll be surprised what pure desperation will make you do. Jude is our quietest baby so far, but is very determined. It will be interesting to see how he grows into that as he gets older. He definitely knows how to hold his own as the third baby.

I never want to forget the way he loves his mama. You will often find him playing on the floor, coming back to hug mama, and back to playing. If I am sitting on the floor, he is often coming back to lay his head on me or give me a kiss. I thought his sister was attached to me, but he by far bypasses them all. It’s pretty special to have a mama’s boy. As long as he is near mama, he is pretty happy.

He’s so go with the flow and doesn’t mind being drug all over the town with his older siblings. He will sleep just about anywhere. Third baby truly does have a flexibility about them that makes things pretty simple.

I am so thankful that Jude has been a part of our family for a year, and I can’t wait for many more to come. The best part (and sometimes worst part) about being a parent is watching these babies grow. It gets faster with each baby, but you treasure it so much more when you see how fast it truly goes. I look forward to seeing how this little one continues to find his fit in this family puzzle.

Happy first Birthday, Jude. Love you most.