One year ago today, this little boy completed our family, stealing each of our hearts with his sweet newness, his tiny toes, soft kissable skin, and then with his endless, gap tooth smiles. We call him Happy Jack, our sweet Jack Bennett.
At one year old he may be our biggest eater and busiest child, taking his first steps at 10.5 months and basically running at 12 months, eating more than his big brother and sister if given the chance.
The last year, with adding a third to our home, has been a bit wild and totally exhausting. But (a quick but!) it goes without saying that we’d do it all over again. With Jack, preferably not with a fourth, ha! We’ve had more trips to the doctor than ever before, had our first experience in the PICU with Jack at Seattle Children’s, I learned of and totally related to the term “post natal depletion” and I reached a new lowered expectation for the cleanliness of our home ;) The love and laughter in our home has grown, though, right along with the noise level. It’s been bittersweet experiencing all of Jack’s firsts and baby innocence and sweetness knowing he is our last. It’s been fun seeing him look up to Zaya and Ava and learn to play with them and see how much they adore their baby brother. Ever since day one, they just can’t get enough of him. None of us can :)
The fact that Jack has never even made it to this blog shows how crazy life has been. Looking back over the past year in photos certainly tugged at my heart. I’m choosing to look forward now, at all the adventures both big and small, that our family can do together as our little ones grow up. We’re leaving the baby stage – though you bet I’ll still be calling Jack my baby even when he has a baby of his own one day – but it’s not all sad. I love seeing the little people our babies are becoming and hearing their thoughts and watching them grow. It’s such a gift. Sleep is also a gift and I’m looking forward to more of that too, hehe.
Through it all God continues to show us his goodness and mercy, and we keep leaning on his wisdom and grace.
I thought I’d narrow down my favorite 20 photos of Jack’s first year, but who was I kidding…
Not quite two hours old, after a quick and hard labor just shy of four hours!
My friend Jen of Blush Sky Photography paid us a sweet visit and took these newborn family photos of us…
When he finally started to come around, after a rough few days with RSV. We started at the hospital in Bellingham, and then were helicoptered to Seattle Children’s. We left with a new appreciation for health, home and for those who work at the hospital.
We got to introduce Jack to Hawaii last summer, travelling there with friends. One of them happens to be the super talented Dan of Hatch Photography, who took these three photos. So many favorites from that shoot…we should always travel with a fellow photographer ;)
Isaiah just keeps growing into his big brother role, with a fierce love for his siblings
We love you, baby Jack! xoxo
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