A year ago, yesterday, we were blessed with the birth of our 3rd child, a daughter, Eliot Dawn. I wrote about the experience of having the opportunity to welcome her into the world in our own home, with the help of midwives, around this time last year. To read this post again, or for the first time:  Eliot Dawn arrives with a lesson…

So a year has past, and Eliot continues to be a gift.  Her infectious smile lights up any room.  Her tenacious exploration sends shivers down my spine…shivers of angst and wonder.  Her calm, peaceful and happy nature is a blessing in a life with three children, busy schedules, work and much, much more.  Eliot has given so much to our family.  Jody and I talked about trying to have another child for a couple of years before actually moving forward in that direction.  Knowing pregnancy is never guaranteed,  we acknowledge our abundant blessings!

Eliot has many people in her life…a community of people she is constantly around, benefiting from being the youngest member of our family with schedules and activities yielding connection to folks we’ve met along the way.  It is difficult to imagine life prior to her addition…she truly completes our family.  Rhiannon and Kade, her older sister and brother, took to her immediately, and have enjoyed this past year as much as Jody and I…they revel in being older siblings and mentors to her.

Eliot, one day you may read this, and I want you to know how much I love you!

Every once in a while, we here at Come In From The Cold, use this blog to love on our families…and we thank you for humoring us 🙂

So to make up for it, I’m ending this post with a series of photos that should elicit a smile or two…be well friends!!