As the weather starts to warm up (although in VA it doesn't 'start to warm up' as much as it goes from snowing to 75 within 24 hours) I can't help but remember this time last year.
We'd just gotten back from a crazy trip up north-- one that involved an ambulance transfer to Boston and a 2 day stint at Tufts Medical Center-- and were praying for the safe arrival of our baby boy.
He's currently napping upstairs in his crib... (Well, he's actually screaming bloody murder, but he's safe and healthy.) I know that not all of my friends believe this has anything to do with the power of prayer, or with the providence of God, but I do, and I'm thankful every day for it. Matt and I spent seven months of our pregnancy worrying that something was going to be wrong with Declan. We only had two positive reports throughout the pregnancy, and I had two ultrasounds every month. I'm sure I'd feel grateful for a healthy baby even without such a scary pregnancy, but every day I see him learning and growing, my heart glows. I wasn't sure if we'd get to see him doing the things he's doing.
Already he's taking steps (definitely wouldn't call it walking-- he looks like he just got off the Mayflower when he does it), climbing on anything and everything, mimicking the sounds Matt and I make, feeding himself finger foods, clapping his hands when he's excited, putting toys back into his toy box when he doesn't want them (this is really funny to see), and using "nice hands" with our kitty. (He's not using nice hands with my hair yet, but we'll get there.)
The people at his pediatrician's office finally learned how to pronounce his name. (Well, all except one of the doctors, who refers to Declan as 'Butterball.' Not sure if that's affectionate or an indicator that Declan needs to be eating less.)
He's fast approaching his first birthday, and today is just one of those days when I wonder where the time went. I am proud of our Love Bug and thankful to the Lord for all He's done for us!
