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I have three children, spaced two years apart. My oldest, now 11, has recently begun devouring massive amounts of food, wandering around the house, and sleeping in until noon. My middle child, who is 9, has an obsession with amphibians, Star Wars, and an unusual fondness for sugar cookies with sprinkles (it’s a bit unsettling). And then there’s my youngest, who is 7. He adores Star Wars, Amphibia, and Gravity Falls. He enjoys digging holes in the backyard, crafting elaborate imaginary worlds with his LEGOs, and can swing for an hour straight. I tend to baby him quite a bit, and he thrives on it.
When he wakes up, I greet him with, “Hi, Sunny Bear,” and give him a big hug. Most days, he curls up on the couch and dozes off again, and I make sure he has plenty of blankets and a pillow. I say good morning to my other sons, of course, but they usually prefer to hang out with our dog. Sunny, however, is all about the hugs.
We Can’t Have Another Baby
When Sunny was just four days old, I held him and cried, “Please tell me he’s not the last one.” We had always envisioned a large family, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him being our final child. My husband reassured me, “He won’t be our last baby, I promise.” But my experience during his pregnancy was extremely difficult. I suffered from severe hyperemesis, leading to hospitalization due to dehydration. Eventually, I found a medication combination that allowed me to eat but only junk food, as anything else caused nausea. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes early on, complicating my food situation even further. I ended up sleeping 16 hours a day, managing my diabetes, and gaining weight despite the hyperemesis, which was incredibly frustrating.
We couldn’t have coped if my husband hadn’t been teaching part-time at a nearby university, allowing him to be home most of the time. Now that he teaches high school, he wouldn’t be around to help if I were pregnant again. Our kids are homeschooled, making me their primary teacher. We feared that my gestational diabetes could pose even greater risks, and given that my hyperemesis worsened with each pregnancy, we worried about what another child would bring. We ultimately decided against having more kids, and I still grieve the loss of that possibility, even as my sons grow older.
It Doesn’t Help That He’s My Sweetest Child
“Oh, isn’t he polite!” my mother-in-law remarked about Sunny this summer. He consistently says “please” and “thank you,” with big, expressive eyes. While my other sons do this too, it’s not with the same sincerity. When he’s told he made a mistake, he cries real tears—not the manipulative kind. When someone apologizes to him, he responds earnestly with, “I forgive you.”
My oldest son is a bit moody nowadays, sometimes seeking cuddles but often finding my presence annoying. My middle child, who has severe ADHD, tends to act out more when corrected. They both tend to reject hugs when upset, but I keep offering. Sunny, on the other hand, seeks comfort, curling up in my lap when he’s sad.
It’s hard not to spoil a child who craves your affection, who always prefers your hugs over the dog’s, and who sneaks under the covers for cuddles while his brothers wrestle with their dad.
I Love My Kids Equally… Sunny’s Just Easier to Pamper
Having spent eleven years with a devoted cuddle buddy, I cherish these moments. Soon enough, cuddling will no longer be cool for him. He’s already getting annoyed when I pick out his clothes, and I want to savor our cuddling while I still can. Sunny, being the youngest, is an easy target for my affection.
His brothers know I love each of them uniquely but equally. I enjoy taking the oldest to fencing, and I cherish reading with my 9-year-old. They all receive cuddles when they request them, and I often offer more than they accept. Sunny, however, actively seeks out those cuddles.
I don’t play with him more than I do with his brothers, nor do I discipline him less. But when I do correct him, he apologizes, while his older siblings often stomp away. Sunny is simply easier to love, which makes him a natural choice for a little extra pampering.
Before long, I won’t have little ones at home. My kids will be towering teenagers downing gallons of milk and stomping around the house. I want to cherish this fleeting childhood. I understand how quickly it can fade. Ultimately, Sunny is babied because he’s the youngest, and I would shower affection on all of them if they would allow it.
He’s my favorite cuddle buddy, but that doesn’t mean he’s my favorite child. He just happens to be the squishiest and, at this moment, the sweetest. I often find myself in the passenger seat, listening to him sing R.E.M. in his adorable little voice, and it brings tears to my eyes. This won’t last forever. As the Counting Crows remind us, “I can’t remember all the times I tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.” He is the last one I have to hold onto.
For more insights on parenting, consider checking out this post. Also, if you’re looking for resources on pregnancy, this article from Healthline is excellent. If you want to explore home insemination kits, Make A Mom is a fantastic authority on the subject.
Summary:
This piece reflects a mother’s deep affection for her youngest child, Sunny, who is 7 years old. As the last of her three children, he receives a lot of love and attention, which she recognizes may be due in part to his sweet disposition and her desire to cherish these moments before they slip away. The author grapples with the bittersweet reality of not having more children due to her challenging pregnancy experiences, and how that has shaped their family dynamics. Overall, while all her children are loved equally, Sunny’s nature makes him particularly easy to pamper.
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