Now Entering Parenthood...

On January 8th, 2010… our lives changed forever, for the better, and a new part of our family entered this world. This post is not meant to be a mushy parent lovefest, but just a simple look back on what we’ve learned along the way and the little man that helped us learn how to be parents. But first…

SNAPSHOT OF A 1 YEAR OLD

JAN 8, 2010: 7 lbs 8 ounces, 20 inches, 0 teeth
JAN 8, 2011: 21 lbs 10 ounces, 30 inches, 8 teeth

NICKNAMES: Bug, Buggers (Mcgoo), Stinkman, Mr. Man, Little Man

MOST ADORABLE HABIT
Running up and laying his head in your lap, or “head hugs” as we call it, just to let you know he’s thinking about you, before returning to play.

MOST ANNOYING HABIT - TIE
Tom and I couldn’t decide between Simon’s obsession with insistently throwing his sippy cup on the floor during meals or turning the TV on and off (mostly off) while we are in the middle of something (TV is also a computer).

A BUDDING PERSONALITY
He smiles at strangers and shrieks at cats, in fact pictures of cats sends him into giggle fits. He loves being chased and giving hugs to everyone (including animals). He likes entertaining and being entertained, which sometimes means he doesn’t like being left alone… just having you there to watch him play is comforting. He is determined to figure it out, he’s not easily tricked. A determined happy little guy.

A GROWING VOCABULARY
Official Entries: mama, dada or daddy, all done
Questionable: nah or no, hi, hello, duck, kitty, soft

“ON THE VERGE” - CAN’T QUITE YET…
Color with a crayon, put a fork in food, put the right shaped blocks in the right shaped holes (oh so close), clap, run, walk while holding hands, or sing along.

PLACES TRAVELED
As far away as Boston. As nearby as Indiana, Ohio, and western Michigan. He’s been to the zoo, the library, outdoor festivals, malls, museums, and the beach. He’s played in the snow and in the water, with dogs and with cats. On planes, trains, and cars… and we hope to do much more in 2011.

LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND MISGUIDED NOTIONS
You walk into parenting thinking you know a lot or fearful of how much you have to learn. The truth is somewhere in the middle… a lot of common sense, and a lot of willingness to learn along the way.

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT
Time We Were Told To Sleep Through The Night: 3-4 weeks
Time We Estimated It Would Take: 3-4 months
Time It Actually Took Him To Do It: 9 months

PARENTING DEVICES
Devices We Couldn’t Live Without: Catcher bibs, baby bjorn
Device We Wish He Could Live Without: Cell phones and remote controls
Device So Important, Now Forgotten: Pacifier, boppy, bottle warmer
Device Never Quite Used: Baby swing

BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Marta: Being on maternity leave at around 6-7 weeks old, my child turned into a cranky, inconsolable little stinker. Then I learned about how a baby needs to sleep during the day, which is often and a lot. The next day, I had a new kid.
Tom: Never realized how important it was to put a kid on a schedule and stick to it as much as you can, and how much he actually needs it.

ONE KID DOWN, ONE TO GO
This June, we will have a new (and final?) member of our growing family. It’s an exciting time, especially since we know a bit more what we are in for…

MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO
Marta: Snuggling a small little guy, naps together, a summer off
Tom: Holding that new little life, swaddling

NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO
Marta: The “lump” stage, no smiles, crying with no real reason
Tom: Waking up in the middle of the night, exhaustion

MOST CURIOUS ABOUT
Marta: Simon’s reaction, keeping attention balanced
Tom: New family dynamics, creating new family memories

WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
Marta: Pay more attention to sleepiness, end nighttime feeding earlier
Tom: Don’t overfeed during the middle of the night!!

WOULD DO THE SAME
Marta: Make baby food, breastfeed, be relaxed, make time for us
Tom: Most things!! Be laid back but also mind the schedule

COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS
We’ve been lucky with Simon in many ways and hope the new baby also has… no colic, no stranger anxiety, no ear infections. Is a good teether, a good eater, with a generally happy disposition.

CROSSING OUR FINGERS
But if we could modify a few things (which we can’t), we are kinda hoping for some earlier sleeping through the night and maybe this time… some more hair!! Of course, a little girl would also mix things up (stay tuned!).

WRAP UP - OUR FAVORITES FROM YEAR ONE

FAVORITE MEMORY
Tom: Simon’s first smile… we were getting ready for a trip to the park and he was in his car seat. After that he was a lot of fun, I remember taking him to Saugatuck and holding him at the top of a giant windmill.

Marta: Seeing his reaction when he first got back from a weekend away from home. He giggled and crawled around, hugged the cats. Also seeing his sweet face when Abbi gave him a hug, so appreciative and unexpected.

FAVORITE AGE
Tom: Right now!! He’s playful and happy and how cute is it to see someone so little walking around? Answer… really cute.

Marta: Right now is pretty awesome, but let’s not forget how great it was when Simon could sit but not yet crawl (6 months). Lots of smiles, less bumps and bruises.