Nate’s one, yall

Yep. Today this kid is a year old.

I remember a year ago, on our way to the hospital, Liz and I were having the millionth conversation about what it was going to be like to have two kids. We had gotten into a pretty good rhythm, the three of us. Was Nate gonna throw everything into a tailspin? How would Sam adjust to having a baby in the house? How would we?

Lots of worry. All for nothing.

The last year has been fantastic. This kid is the definition of low-maintenance. I mean, we still have to feed him and bathe him, but he’s never been fussy, or whiny, or clingy. (Except when he’s sick, of course.) He’s laid-back, sleeps great, eats everything.

And he doesn’t just fit in- it’s more like he was the piece that was missing, and we didn’t realize it until he got here. It’s like if your car has always made a clanky noise, you just get used to it. Then one day, somebody in the grocery store parking lot flags you down and says, “Hey- pop the hood.” And they turn a screw and tighten a bolt, and then suddenly the car runs better.

Lousy metaphor? Maybe. But you get my point.

Things were good before Nate got here, but they’re much better with him around. He’s a constant source of joy, love, and laughter. He snuggles close, kisses big, and laughs freely, and we’re really lucky and blessed to have him.