Caleb on his 1st birthday...
Caleb on his 1st day on earth...
(hmm...I think Aunty Leish took both these pictures!)
Okay, this reflection is a little bit belated, but we're on break now so I have more time to digest this year of Caleb's life....
So cliche, I know, but it seems like just yesterday AND a lifetime ago that we were in the hospital, struggling to push this huge baby out.
December 13, 2008 - go to hospital about 1:30 p.m....water had in fact broken the night before, but labor hadn't set in so they started me on pitocin to get the labor going
December 14, 2008 - about 1:00 a.m....Caleb finally makes his debut and we're shocked to see his full head of black hair and all 21 inches, 8 lbs 11 oz of him...he's pissed, hungry, and screaming...
December 17, 2008 - we finally get to come home after Caleb's breathing calms down a little bit....but we have to take him to the doctor the following day to check his jaundice
December 18, 2008 - jaundice is okay...start of the longest three months of our lives
December - Marchish - Caleb lets us know who really runs this operation...HIM! he displays bouts of colicky behavior, settling in for crying fits at around 6 p.m. every evening...breastfeeding didn't work after a couple weeks of intense frustration...his sleep is not so wonderful, and will occasionally wake us up for long bouts of inconsolable crying in the wee hours of the morning...
Marchish-June - back to work, mom watches Caleb, nutts doesn't even begin to describe what life is like...but he's interacting more and to see him smile makes up for the hellish life we first knew as parents
June-December - everyday is a new day...we fall into our routine, but Caleb reminds us by changing it up that life revolves around him now...he hits all his benchmarks (i can't ever remember what you call them for kids) pretty solidly, teeth come in at 4 months, crawling around 6 months, walking at 10 months....
December 14, 2009 - he celebrates his first year of life with Gramma Elaine, Gramma Letty, Grandpa Jun, Uncle Mark and Aunty Leish...enjoys new toys, tons of attention, and CAKE!!!
I'm so thankful for how blessed we've been...I can honestly say it's been the hardest freakin' thing I've ever done in my life, but I'm more convinced than ever that being a mommy will always be the greatest accomplishment of my life. I always said that I'd rather be a mom than be married, but for sure I've learned in this last year that life would have sucked hard if not for Dave. I've also learned that I have to let go of my control and that grandparents really do know more than me (sometimes...lol...my mommy instinct still trumps all, though!). I'm lucky to have a mom who is willing and able to take care of him so that we don't have to worry about it. We're lucky to have two sets of grandparents who can shower him with love and attention and lessons. I'm lucky to have friends who can enjoy and support me on this rollercoaster ride of parenthood. We're lucky to have careers that allow us time to spend with Caleb.
I can't even begin to imagine what the next year (and baby!) has in store for us and it makes me sad and excited to see Caleb growing up and showing his personality and independence. I dread the day that he doesn't let me cuddle him, but I look forward to seeing the little man that he'll become.
So cliche, I know, but it seems like just yesterday AND a lifetime ago that we were in the hospital, struggling to push this huge baby out.
December 13, 2008 - go to hospital about 1:30 p.m....water had in fact broken the night before, but labor hadn't set in so they started me on pitocin to get the labor going
December 14, 2008 - about 1:00 a.m....Caleb finally makes his debut and we're shocked to see his full head of black hair and all 21 inches, 8 lbs 11 oz of him...he's pissed, hungry, and screaming...
December 17, 2008 - we finally get to come home after Caleb's breathing calms down a little bit....but we have to take him to the doctor the following day to check his jaundice
December 18, 2008 - jaundice is okay...start of the longest three months of our lives
December - Marchish - Caleb lets us know who really runs this operation...HIM! he displays bouts of colicky behavior, settling in for crying fits at around 6 p.m. every evening...breastfeeding didn't work after a couple weeks of intense frustration...his sleep is not so wonderful, and will occasionally wake us up for long bouts of inconsolable crying in the wee hours of the morning...
Marchish-June - back to work, mom watches Caleb, nutts doesn't even begin to describe what life is like...but he's interacting more and to see him smile makes up for the hellish life we first knew as parents
June-December - everyday is a new day...we fall into our routine, but Caleb reminds us by changing it up that life revolves around him now...he hits all his benchmarks (i can't ever remember what you call them for kids) pretty solidly, teeth come in at 4 months, crawling around 6 months, walking at 10 months....
December 14, 2009 - he celebrates his first year of life with Gramma Elaine, Gramma Letty, Grandpa Jun, Uncle Mark and Aunty Leish...enjoys new toys, tons of attention, and CAKE!!!
I'm so thankful for how blessed we've been...I can honestly say it's been the hardest freakin' thing I've ever done in my life, but I'm more convinced than ever that being a mommy will always be the greatest accomplishment of my life. I always said that I'd rather be a mom than be married, but for sure I've learned in this last year that life would have sucked hard if not for Dave. I've also learned that I have to let go of my control and that grandparents really do know more than me (sometimes...lol...my mommy instinct still trumps all, though!). I'm lucky to have a mom who is willing and able to take care of him so that we don't have to worry about it. We're lucky to have two sets of grandparents who can shower him with love and attention and lessons. I'm lucky to have friends who can enjoy and support me on this rollercoaster ride of parenthood. We're lucky to have careers that allow us time to spend with Caleb.
I can't even begin to imagine what the next year (and baby!) has in store for us and it makes me sad and excited to see Caleb growing up and showing his personality and independence. I dread the day that he doesn't let me cuddle him, but I look forward to seeing the little man that he'll become.
1 comment:
Wow, as I was reading, I got a little ferklempt. You described motherhood well. Such a roller coaster. So worth it.
Post a Comment