Jody McKitrick » ody McKitrick is a lifestyle portrait family and child photographer located in Northern Virginia.

Girls,

Six years ago today, was a very good day for us. You girls would would gain a brother and your Dad and I would become parents to a sweet baby boy. Although I was excited, I fretted for months about having another baby. How could I possibly love another child as much as I loved you Stella? I had never loved anyone like that before, so how could it be possible twice? I worried how you would feel about not always being the center of attention. And even more worrisome–how in the world would I deal with two children under two? Of course it turned out that all the worrying was for nothing. As with all of you, the moment I held Ben, it was like he was always with us and I had always loved him. Like a switch inside of me just turned on. And he really was SO loveable. His laid back demeanor reminded me so much of your Uncle Justin. He rarely cried (because of this his daycare providers adored him) and the smiles and laughs came easily. I wish I remembered more but it was all such a whirlwind. It still is such a whirlwind.

While I once worried about what life would be like with another kiddo, now it’s hard to even remember what life was like before Ben. Sometimes I feel badly that he is dragged around with us three girls while your Dad is at work, but we dote on him for sure. He keeps us laughing most of the time (he has the most contagious laugh). And he certainly keeps me on my toes. It’s not always easy and often it’s downright exhausting. I don’t know if it’s a boy thing or if it’s a Ben thing, but there is certainly a different energy level with Ben. But as hard as it is, I honestly love that too. I can’t be complacent with your brother because he will call me out on it like no one else. He makes me want to be a better Mom. Not that you girls don’t, but Ben challenges me to be a better Mom and I know that we are all better for it.

The three of you are so close and I hope you are always like this… hugging, laughing, joking, squeezing, cuddling, teasing… okay maybe a little less teasing would be okay.

Six years ago today my heart doubled in size and even if I wasn’t consciously thinking about it yet, it set us on a path towards you Pilar. Six years ago today I became the luckiest Mom in the world again.

xo
Mommy

P.S. (Pssst Ben-Ben, Happy Birthday sweet baby boy. You have grown-up so much this year. Between you and I, I wouldn’t mind if you slowed it down just a tad, okay? I love you more than one robot.)

P.P.S. Seriously kiddos, you three are impossible to get a photo of together that doesn’t involve squeezing, pinching, joking, licking, burping, pouting, squirming, etc. The amount of bribing that went on today was unprecedented and the long list of demands includes a movie tomorrow (Brave) and no photos for a week. Pinkie-promise.

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I was a little late with my letter this month (no surprise to those who know me well), so I hope you didn’t miss out on the amazing posts of the rest of the group. Click here to read the blog post of Amy Lucy Lockheart | Minneapolis Family Photographer. She is the master-mind of this project and the mother to beautiful twin girls.