In a month, my little bitty newborn baby will be a year old. I feel like he's still just brand new. Of course we have learned a lot, thanks to the advice and help of friends and family along with trial and error. I marvel every day at how much he has changed from that little lump of sweetness we brought home from the hospital into this smart, brave, inquisitive little boy. He has so much personality already, and he hasn't even started talking yet. Well, he thinks he's talking but we haven't figured out what he's saying.
I've gotten him to mimic me a few times, saying "mom," only he shapes his little mouth in an "o" and it comes out more like "mohm." He's also saying "moo" when we show him a little cow that makes the same sound. I love every second of it.
But at the same time, I hate it. It's bittersweet. I miss him being that tiny little lump that I could hold in my arms for hours and hours. Now I know that you can't spoil a baby. I'm glad I didn't listen to people that said you can hold a baby too much. I held him as much as I could and I have no regrets. He's confident and secure (so far) and has never demonstrated separation anxiety. He can put himself to sleep and play happily in his bed when he wakes up.
I can't believe how lucky we've been over the past year. He's been such a good, easy baby. I remember taking him to the mall when he was about 6 or 7 weeks old and I was in the elevator with him and an elderly man who asked how old he was. When I told him, he grimaced and said that he had 6 children and would never go back to that age. He must have had a bunch of lemons, because I think I've had more fun during the past 11 months than I have at any other time in my life. Every day with Theo is something new.
In (less than) a month, we will have a little party. He won't have a clue why everyone is gathering around to stare at him (okay, that's actually pretty typical with our families) or cheering when he digs into his cake (hopefully). It's a celebration for all of us. We've nearly made it through the first year of milestones. We've gone from rookies to parents with a little bit of experience. We've gone from two to three...from a couple to a family.
I can't wait to see what all the next year has in store for us.
~C~
It's crazy to think that they grow and change the way that they do. It's amazing to look back and think how much we've done in our lifetime and try to figure out exactly when we learned how to do it.
ReplyDeleteSo crazy how quickly it passes, especially looking back on the year(s). I've been saying from the very beginning that each phase they step into is more fun than the last, although truly bittersweet because they pass even farther away from being the helpless sweet little infant. BUT luckily us we'll have new ones very soon to cuddle and ooh & ahh at as they enter each new phase. It really is the most amazing thing! I wouldn't change it at all! Oh and yes, boo to those who say you can hold a baby too much. I'm already wishing I could hold the new baby as much as I did Kenzie(knowing it probably will be less because I'll have a toddler to play with & keep happy at the same time. My little sweet pea inside currently weighs 5lbs 14oz and was cute as can be on her ultrasound today, made me want to hold right that second!
ReplyDeleteBecky, I love your blog! And you are so right. I think about it all the time, while Theo is getting brave enough to take a couple steps here and there on his own. Look at everyone else in the world, walking around effortlessly. We all took those tentative steps. It's such a neat process to be a part of and I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteAnd Suzi, you need to start a blog! You always leave the best comments. :) I am looking forward to those newborn snuggles but also trying to figure out how I will juggle a 14 month old and the new one at the same time. You'll have to give me some pointers once you get it all figured out! heh heh!
Wow, one whole year!! I still remember that emotional phone call when you told me you were expecting that little peanut. I cried tears of joy for you then and I get teary now with pride at how you've blossomed into such a wonderful Mommy! (You know how we M-tons are quick to cry) What a wonderful journey you're on and how lucky I am to get to be a part of it. Not only are you a dear friend, but you delivered me with my first beautiful nephew (even if only honorary by technical definition). And not that I would trade those two...VERY soon to be three...gorgeous nieces I love so deeply.
ReplyDeleteMy cup runneth over...
em.
http://www.mymomentscollected.blogspot.com/