I always thought meeting my baby would be the most surreal moment of my life.
And, in many ways, it was.
But, to be completely vulnerable with you, that first year was hard.
Between a traumatic delivery, severe sleep deprivation, and breastfeeding struggles – I didn’t feel like all of the joyful mothers I saw on Instagram.
I felt like I was just surviving.
If you’re in that same stage of motherhood, I promise you this:
The joy will come.
And my gosh — it is far more magical than you can even imagine.
Matthias and I have gone through everything together. Along the way, we’ve formed the deepest bond imaginable … and my love for him has become so deep, it’s actually overwhelming.
As I’ve found my groove with breastfeeding, sleep training, food pickiness, routines, and everything in between — I’ve gained confidence as a mother …
… which has finally given me the space to enjoy the gift that is my son.
This last year was just that:
Enjoying him.
Witnessing Matthias learn and grow every day — and become the light he is — has brought more meaning to our lives than we ever knew possible.
Some things he does that leave me in awe:
• Takes care of his stuffed animals: “HABIBI. Awe you hungwy?! Yeah? You want mowe?!”
• Says “WOW, beautiful Mama!” when I wear anything but sweats
• Lifts his hands to pray, kisses his icons, and says, “Night night, Jesus!” before bed
• Finishes our prayer, “Thank you God for…” with “TAYTA” and all of his cousins ❤️
• Keeps everyone in order: “BE CAWEFUL, WEEYAM. NO STWEET, NOELLE.”
• Balances toddler sass with perfect manners: “No tank yew, Mama. Scuse me, Train. Yew welcome, guys!”
• Apologizes every time he bumps into something, like a table: “Oh! Sowwy!”
• Asks, “Awe yew ok, Mama?!” every time I say “ow.”
• Thinks his name is “Davis” because he looks like Young David from @gominno
• Shakes with excitement every garbage day: “BYE GAWBAGE TWUCK! TANK YEW!”
• Has to specify every number, shape, and color he sees.
• Runs into Abouna Mark’s arms every Sunday and gives peace to everyone in church
• Memorizes every song he hears — from “Kyrie Eleison” to “The Muffin Man”
• Shakes his hips to any and all music (including customer-service hold music).
• Loves eating with people: “Is it gewd, John John? Taibeen! Sahtein, Jido.”
• Tries to name the 12 apostles: “James, John, Muffin, Thomas, Andrew, Jesus, Mama.”
• Squeals by the window when Dada comes home: “MAMA, YOOK!!! DADA HOME!!!”
• Lights up our world with his hugs and pure soul 🥺💙
Happy 2nd Birthday to the boy we still can’t believe we get to call our son!!!
