Year One Reflections
I can’t believe Joey is turning the Big 0-1 this week! This year really flew by (well at times it felt like it was moving VERY slowly, but overall it went too fast!). As we get ready to celebrate his big day, I figured I would look back over the past year and reflect on how different life is now and how I wouldn’t want to change that for anything.
This time last year, we had just moved into our new house and we were finally finishing up with the construction. In fact, the first day of my maternity leave and the very first day of no contractors in the house, was of course the day I go into labor. I was so looking forward to a few days of quiet and rest, but no such luck J Leading up to Joey’s arrival, I remember being excited but so nervous at the same time. Mostly, I just was very stressed about the part about him actually coming out. I also just didn’t feel ready. We just moved, the nursery wasn’t set up, and I didn’t know where anything was.
When Joey was born, none of that really mattered. Just looking at his tiny, adorable face, I knew it would all come together once we got home. Not to mention, my husband and I are blessed with incredibly supportive and loving families, so we knew we would have support from them as well. I remember in the hospital thinking how calm and easy our baby was. That lasted for about a day after we went home. I remember the nurses telling us at discharge to set an alarm so the baby didn’t sleep too long without eating. We did that the first night home, and of course we didn’t need to. Our little munchkin, then and still, has never slept in – ever!
As much as I miss how incredibly tiny and cute Joey was in those first few weeks, I am also happy those weeks are behind us, as they were definitely a challenge. For one, I never expected the extreme pain of breastfeeding (in my opinion way worse than labor- so bad that I fully expected him first words to be MotherF*er if we continued on). Luckily, once his tongue-tie was corrected, the pain lessened substantially. I did not know how to handle the extreme sleep deprivation. In addition, the fear of someone so small getting sick or spiking a temperature had us panicked. You don’t think about all these fears until you hold that tiny little person and see just how delicate they are.
The screaming was the other thing I do not miss. Joey would scream at me all day long, for no reason, and stop when my husband came home. I was convinced he hated me, yet my husband kept telling me he was just a “normal baby.” A few weeks later he switched to being friendly during the day and screaming from the time my husband came home until he passed out around midnight. Of course then my husband said he was “high maintenance.” Once we treated him for reflux, this stopped. So, long story short, if we decide to have another child, I will know the signs of reflux and act earlier if needed. I will also not wait three weeks to correct a tounge-tie J
Don’t get me wrong, the first month or two were great as well. The first smile, the adorable coos, the noticing little changes like when he would follow us with his eyes, these moments were priceless. I remember my mom saying to keep in mind that everything with a baby is a stage, and it will change. When they scream, when the don’t sleep… it seems like you will never get through it, but before you know it they change and it gets easier (except the sleeping thing- Im still waiting on this one!).
I can’t believe in just 365 days he has gone from a 7 lbs 7 oz fragile newborn to a fun loving, strong, happy, mischievous “toddler” who is running, climbing, “talking,” and playing. Joey fills our lives with more joy and love every day then we could have ever imagined before he was born. I’ll take all of the lows anytime to be rewarded with all of the amazingly wonderful things he brings into my life every moment.
Joey- thank you for being the most incredible gift our family could ever ask for. We love you more than you can ever imagine and I wish nothing more for you than a life full of happiness, good health, wonder, and love! Thank you for being you, my little happy chunky munchkin.
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