Parenting, The First Year

We celebrated my son's birthday just a few days ago.  It's really true, time does fly.  I have no idea where that first year went.  I can say that with ease looking back on it, but during the day to day, many of them felt too long.  A year ago I was just leaving the hospital with this little person who needed me for absolutely everything.  I am glad to say we have come a long way, after many sleepless nights, crying, and seemingly never ending days.

So I was trying to think about what's happened in the last year.  Sometimes it just seems like this is always how it was and other days there are glimpses of what life was like before a baby.  I still don't feel like a parent.  I don't know when that happens, but I am sure it's around the same time they start verbalizing that more (mama, dada, etc).  I know I am responsible for a little man and I worry about him pretty much always and maybe that's what it feels like to be a parent.  I wouldn't know.

But if I stop and think of all the things my son has accomplished over the year, it really is quiet amazing.  He went from being this helpless tiny bundle to a babbling, cruising, drooling toddler.  His first word was kitty ("Gigi") and he current favorite toy is a dustpan and small dust broom.  He still doesn't like getting ready for bed, but he does like bath time most of the time.  He thinks flushing the toilet is a riot and playing in the cat water dish is just something to do when mom and dad aren't looking.  He knocks over Sparky on a routine basis, but has learned to start petting him nicely ("Be nice to kitty"). He has four teeth and is working on the next two.  He loves macaroni and cheese.

He really has been a wonderful baby, but I am not going to lie, those first 6 months were the hardest.  Months 6-9 were a little easier, but we were still getting up in the middle of the night for feeding.  At month 9 we slept through the night and it was glorious.  We have been enjoying pretty much solid sleep for a good 3 months, although now it feels like we never got up in the middle of the night.  It's amazing what you get used to and how fast you get used to it.  At month 9, I stopped pumping during the day and at month 11, I stopped nursing altogether.  That had it's pluses and minuses.  We saved a load of money on formula and washing bottles, but it was demanding and it's a sole source job. 

We still have a hard time leaving the house with everything he needs.  Diapers, wipes, emergency pacifier if he gets out of control, change of clothes, snacks, water bottle, food, bottles, toys, stroller if needed.  Of course you also have to plan around naps.  We are still at a solid two naps which I think is great.  They are great when you need to get household stuff done, but they are a pain when you need to go places.  Usually we can plan it so he is in the car for at least one of the nap times, but we are rarely in the car long enough to make it really count.  It's a give and take thing. 

So the first year is over and we survived.  I think that's really what the first birthday celebration is all about.  :)  The good mews is I remember a lot more of the laughs and smiles than the really bad days (and we have had them).  I think that's why people end up with a second.  Haha!