Ive only cried twice about it so far (tears of joy), but it is only noon ;)
MY BABY IS ONE!!!!
Its hard to believe that 365 days ago I was laboring at home, still hours away from going to the hospital and giving birth to my sweet little redheaded boy.
In some ways, it seems like just yesterday.
I still remember the whole day. I remember the pain, I remember the tears, and I remember everyones eager faces as we made our way to Floor 3 at the hospital to see what Pat was going to be.
I remember the tear filled first months(not tears of joy) , the anxiety ridden nights, and me thinking I was never going to have more kids since I was having such a hard time.
But then I look at my bright eyed, smart little walking son and I can hardly remember how little he was.
I see little babies in the mall (or where ever) and I forget that Carter was once THAT tiny.
7 lbs. Thats it! Its hard to believe that only 6 months ago he learned to sit on his own, I barely remember the days of being able to put him in the crib or on the floor and he wouldnt have moved and inch while I was gone! Boy, I miss those days!!
Not everything has gone according to plan in the last 12 months, but thats life!
In some ways I am the exact mother I want to be, and in other ways I feel a tiny bit of failure (just a little).
I wanted a natural labour, and thats exactly what I got.
I wanted to breastfeed him for a year, but I was only able to for 4 months.
I didnt want to give him a soother, but when he took 5 sucks of it and he drifted off to sleepyland I just couldnt take that away from him.
I wanted him to be a strong, independent boy, so we dont make a big deal out of it when he falls down or Cheeko knocks him over.
Having Carter has changed everyones lives. Most times good, other times not so much.
Being a parent isnt an easy job, but its been the most rewarding.
I am looking forward to going back to work, but Im sure that will wear off my lunchtime my first day back!
Carter has started at his dayhome as of last week and he LOVES it, but I knew he would.
I was very fortunate to meet Tania in our prenatal classes, but it wasnt until our Playgroup was formed that I got to meet a really great group of Moms who really helped me out.
Im so glad I was able to meet them, and spend a majority of our first year together and have other people there to tell you its OK, and that your child isnt weird!
When I drop Carter off, I dont feel like Im leaving him with a stranger.
Carter loves Tania and I know that this is going to be a great fit for our family, and it will make my return to work a lot less stressful, since I already feel like Im abandoning him.
I was saying to Mark last night that I cant wait for him to grow up.
I look forward to doing finger painting on a cold winter weekend, or going camping and him riding his bike in the campground. I look forward to having a handful of kids over for his birthday parties and taking them swimming and bowling and all that fun stuff. He can have friends over for sleepovers, and he can go to the Grandparents house and get spoiled for a whole weekend. We can stay up late on the weekend and watch movies. We can bake cookies together and run around at the park. I cant wait!
But never again am I going to wish for him to grow up.
This year went amazingly fast. I am so glad I got to spend this time at home and watch my little boy grow and discover.
Almost makes we want to do it again right now!!
At 12 months, Carter:
- is 21 lbs
- is in 12 months clothes
- is walking and even running (started a few days after he was 11 months)
- is so interested in food. Will try to grab our plates when hes already eaten is own supper
- is on homo milk, no more formula!!!
- is always talking. He cant do anything without being a motormouth
- always wants to be picked up. If I am sitting then he will try to pull himself onto me, and when we stand he pulls at our legs to be picked up. SO annoying
- still obssessed with the TV. Turns it sideways, smacks it, turns it on and off
- copies sounds he hears, like coughing, laughing, yawning, horns
- knows that if he fake coughs that we will ALWAYS look at him, so thats his new highchair trick
-loves Cheeko, always giving him hugs and crawling on him
- is so affectionate. He will kiss and hug his stuffed animals
- started to throw temper tantrums (already?!) when he doesnt get what he wants. Not giving in to him, Im setting the rules now!
- throws everything, his toys, his bottle and even his food. Might be a baseball player
- plays hard. Hes always banging things and throwing things and generally being as rough on stuff as possible
-tries to dress himself. He tried to put his shoe on the other day
- loves pushing the kitchen chairs around
