Just like that, we have an 11 month old. It’s so hard to believe that we are coming up on one year of life with our baby boy. Time has literally flown by. Each day when I look at Jaden I can’t believe how big he’s gotten. He’s growing up right before my eyes! Now I understand why people say enjoy infancy; it goes by way too fast. No longer is Jaden my tiny, cuddly baby boy. He’s becoming a more independent, active toddler, full of personality. Yes, the infant stage went by so fast, but I love who Jaden is becoming.

At this point, I am anticipating and preparing for the changes that lie ahead as we transition into toddlerhood, including moving to the toddler room at daycare, walking, and beginning the process of weaning. 

To be honest, thinking about all of these things makes me feel a little anxious and emotional, mostly because I have not had time to adequately prepare my mind for my baby boy to grow up. It seems like we should have had more time before we reached this stage. Also, there’s no real “playbook” for how to manage all of these changes. I can research and read as many websites, forums, and blog posts as I want, but at the end of the day it’s really up to Tommy and I to decide what will work best for our family as we navigate this transition period. As someone who has been used to playing by the rules all her life, I have found this aspect of parenting to be the most difficult. It’s hard for me, at times, to create my own rules, to trust and follow my own instincts. I want to make sure I’m doing everything the “right way.” 

I have to keep reminding myself that the most important this is choosing what will be right for our family. I am realizing that our right way may not be what everyone else is doing or what is recommended. A lesson the Lord is teaching me through all of this is that He has equipped me with everything I need to be a parent. Knowing this truth should help me have confidence in my ability to make the best decisions for my child and family. Sometimes that’s easier said than done.