Candor turns one

Candor turns one on the first! Our littlest one’s first year was the swiftest, sweetest babyhood. We can’t believe he’s already one. We celebrated him with a golden birthday cake smash, complete with lots of gold balloons, a golden yellow knit crown, golden yellow striped shirt, and gold-accented cake. His curiosity led him to dunk his hands into his cake and taste frosting as we sang him rounds of "Happy Birthday" with the big kids accompanying on piano. The three big kids made cards yesterday to commemorate our boy-boy. We spent the day at the Huntington Library with friends, enjoying the spring weather and the gardens' creatures and flora. We didn't end up having a first birthday party for Candor's first birthday, but he was a happy babe regardless, being in the presence of his family, being cuddled all day, and snacking on his favorite foods. He tried fresh chicken dumplings and bok choy for the first time for his birthday dinner, which he loved. Alex captured some videos of his sweet and simple day. We adore our CanCan so. So thankful for the light he is to our family!

P.S. the other kids' first birthday cake smashes: Verity, Reverie, Valor, Serene.

Letters to Candor: 12 months

My dear Candor Sage,

I can't believe we are already here - you are one, my littlest baby. This has been the swiftest, sweetest year. You light up our lives. You have been such a sweet balm to the tumult of the world these past couple of years. God knew we needed you. I am so thankful He's allowed us to steward your life. May you grow to know Him and His kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and steadfast love to us through the glorious gospel. May we be faithful in teaching you to walk in His ways as we learn and know you.

Your favorites are your mama ("mama" is your only word so far), milky, Os oat cereal, bananas, strawberries, avocado toast, blueberries, broccoli, turkey meatball, spinach and egg omelette, brown rice cakes, being in your family's presence, your stuffie Marius, exploring/ripping books, playing with Lego Duplos and pretend kitchen toys, having a clean diaper, chewing on water bottles, and taking baths.

You are a happy, relaxed, attached baby, and are most giggly after a meal. You kick happily, scoot on your tummy as your primary mode of transportation, and enjoy transitioning from tummy to sitting. You side sit, which I think is adorable. You're the only one of our kids who naturally prefers to sit this way. You wear 6-9 month clothing, size 3 diapers, and size 1 shoes. You weigh 15 lbs and measure 26.75 inches long. You are the second smallest of our kids at this age, right after Verity.

We all tell you all the time not to grow up because we enjoy your littleness so. We love how you rub your face into your stuffie Marius, wrap your legs around him, and roll over to the side before napping or sleeping. You use a pacifier only before a nap/sleep. We love how you still take baths in the newborn Puj tub. You dole out wide grins often, and we see two bottom teeth sprouting, as well as your two upper teeth coming through your gums. We smile at you, and your whole face lights up in the sweetest, biggest grin accompanied with "Eh!" You're happiest in your mama's arms or sling, clinging tightly to my arm and waist with deep seated legs. We love your skinny legs, round head, and wispy hair. We love how you scoot on your tummy, using primarily your right leg to propel yourself forward. You enjoy rides in a laundry basket with your siblings. You don't nap when we're out and about, preferring to observe the world with wide eyes. When we are home, you take 3 naps a day. You whine "uhhhh" with a fake cry when you want to be held. You push people/objects away with waving hands. Your nicknames include: CanCan, Sagey, Boy-Boy, CanCan Sagey, and Can-duh.

We love you so much! We pray for many years of loving you well so that you would come to know the Lord who loves you beyond measure. It is a gift to be your mama.

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 , 10, 11 months and his birth story.

One week before one year

Candor turns one in a week and I'm not ready. Just want to cherish his joyful grins, his sprouting bottom teeth, his skinny legs, and his scooting on his tummy.

Letters to Candor: 11 months

My dear Candor Sage,

You're sprouting your first tooth! You're scooting around on your tummy like a little worm. You're growing wispy hair that makes your round head that much more adorable. You're an eager eater, downing bananas, blueberries, turkey meatballs, tofu, eggs with spinach, Os oat cereal, and the like with fervor, but only after nursing first. You don't prefer to be with anyone else if your mama is around, but if I'm not, you're a content babe. I can't believe you're already 11 months, just 1 month away from turning one. You wear 6-9 month clothing and size 3 diapers. We enjoy you so much. You light up the room and we adore you. We thank the Lord for growing you, but I selfishly pray you take your time. You don't seem close to crawling, standing, or cruising, and we don't mind one bit if that means you'll be a baby longer. 

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 , 10 months and his birth story.

Letters to Candor: 10 months

My dear Candor Sage,

You spent much of this past month calling "mama" whenever your mama is out of your sight. You are the sweetest littlest babe who enjoys eating on his own at the table with everyone else. Some of your favorites include Os oat cereal, banana, zucchini, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, eggs, tofu, turkey meatball, corn on the cob, wheat toast with avocado, blueberries, and strawberries. You're pushing up into crawling position to test new boundaries, but are wholly content sitting up and scooting about on your tummy. You don't nap when we're out and about, observing everything bleary eyes. Thankfully, you sleep well through the night and normally take 3 naps per day. You're wearing size 6-9 month clothing and size 3 diapers. Your family are your comfort zone; you're not interested in moving beyond your comfort zone. You suck on your thumb briefly at times, likely because you're teething. You like having your stuffie Marius stuffed into your face before knocking out for naps and bedtime. Your siblings await your waking up every day and clamor over who gets to hold you or play with you in their room. You are the delight of our eyes and our conversation. 

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 months and his birth story.

Candor with Marius

The kids were each gifted a stuffie when they were born, all named after Les Misérables characters. Here is Candor with Marius, his comforter and his companion.

Letters to Candor: 9 months

My dear Candor Sage,

You heralded in the new year as a 9-month-old! What joy to have celebrated your first Christmas this past month. It's been a rough year as we are still in the midst of a pandemic, but God has displayed His steadfast love toward us again and again. He has kept us and continues to hold us fast. We are so thankful you're well, your siblings are well, and that God's mercy has ushered us into this new year. Your smile and sweet presence brighten us all up. You're sitting sturdily, grasping soft finger foods with your thumb and forefinger, and sleeping well at night. You're happiest in my arms/sling, and in the company of your siblings. You're eating 2-3 meals a day, wearing size 3 diapers, 3-6 month and 6-9 month clothing, and size 0 shoes. Nursing is still going strong, averaging 5 times a day. You now tend to nurse on your tummy, which is such a funny quirk. We get in all the CanCan cuddles we can with you and keep imploring for you not to grow up. We enjoy you so as a little babe, but as your sister Serene says, "You get cuter as you grow up." This is true and we are thankful to be here for it all.

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 months and his birth story.

Letters to Candor: 7 months

My dear Candor Sage,

You are sweeter by the month. You are such a calm, easygoing, smiley baby. You began rolling mid month; you're not at the point where you're everywhere and stuck under furniture. You're nearly sitting up on your own. You're still kicking happily in the bouncer. You started solids on October 14 with zucchini, then butternut squash, then sweet potato. Your siblings each eagerly fed you. You had a blast and smiled through it. You're now at 2 meals per day. You grasp with your hands and feet and taste everything within reach. You are happiest in the company of others, so much so that you hardly nap when out and about. You're a petite little babe, just hitting 14 lbs this month and measuring 26.5" long. You're wearing 3-6 month clothing and just transitioned to size 3 diapers. It's bittersweet to watch you grow, but I am so thankful I get to do so.

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 months and his birth story.

Candor's first food

I didn't start Candor on solids until he turned 6.5 months old. He enjoyed his zucchini, but his siblings enjoyed fawning over and feeding him more. We all love our little CanCan!

Letters to Candor: 6 months

My dear Candor Sage,

You're half a year and I'm not ready for you to keep growing. You're wearing 0-3 and 3-6 month clothing and size 2 diapers. As we all say all the time, "Don't grow up, CanCan!" You are such a happy, easygoing baby as long as you're surrounded by your favorite people, your family. You grin and kick happily in the bouncer. You nurse with wide, adoring eyes. You grab at anything within reach. You explore the world by tasting all things. You giggle when kissed on the neck. You are the sweetest!

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 months and his birth story.

Letters to Candor: 5 months

My dear Candor Sage,

Your siblings reminded me that you're 5 months! You are 12 lbs and 25" long, wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing and size 0 moccs. You growl and coo like a baby bear. You roll to the side right away in surprise when put down for tummy time. You are happiest to see your mama, exhibiting the widest gummy grins and happiest kicking little feet. You erupt into big, squeaky laughs when I snuggle your neck. When I leave the room, you cry. You began sucking on your right thumb in the middle of August and grabbing your feet a little after that. You're basically the sweetest baby, smiling at all who pay attention to you. You love hanging out in your bouncer in the company of your siblings and staring at others from the comfort of the sling. You went through the 4 month sleep regression, which was a blur. Time with you is a ephemeral gift. Life has been a whirlwind, especially with wedding season. I hope as I look back, I can say with joy that I've been present in all the moments with you, my littlest babe.

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 months and his birth story.

Candor's first pool

Just a quick snapshot of when we celebrated a friend's birthday at a nearby indoor water park. It was the most opportune time for Candor to try out the pool.

Clasped hands and baby shorts

Candor at his sweet, smiley, clasped-hands best. Little baby shorts are also the best.

Letters to Candor: 4 months

My dear Candor Sage,

If only I could memorize your sweet, little frame. How you laughed breathily for the first time on July 7, 2021. The way your whole face lights up and your eyes crinkle happily when you brandish huge, gummy grins. How you wiggle from side to side in happiness. How you kick with your little legs and bounce cheerily in your chair, especially in the presence of your siblings. How your fingers clutch onto my shirt and arms while nursing. How your velvety little body curves around me in contentment when I hold you. How you're happiest when I'm in your sight. How you coo and gurgle happily while sucking your fingers. Your wide-eyed curiosity in unfamiliar surroundings. How you nurse exclusively so when I'm away working weddings, you refuse to eat until I get home. How you transitioned to size 2 diapers at 3.5 months and how you wear 0-3 month and are starting to wear 3-6 month clothing. How you've been blessing us with a 7-8 hour stretch per night. How you're the best littlest gift of a son. I adore you deeply, wholeheartedly, my littlest baby.

Love you so,

Mommy

P.S. Candor at 0, 1, 2, 3 months and his birth story.

Just enjoying this little baby

...and wanting to remember each stage.