what one year has taught me

over the past few days, i have been thinking about the difference one year makes. one year with a baby, that is. heading into the adventure of mommyhood, i would say that i was pretty comfortable with babies and kids, in general, having done quite a bit of babysitting and having siblings.

it's different when they are your own. in a good and bad way. good, because you have this sweet, precious baby that shares your genetics but bad because there's no handing this one back over to the real mom. cause the real mom is you!

here are my musings...my (non-exhaustive) collection of thoughts from our first year with a baby! in no particular order...

1. kids eat everything! well, everything you don't want them to, and hardly anything that you do!


2. celebrating every accomplishment is fantastic. and, of course, acting like no child has ever done ______ before!


3. every single stage brings new joys and new challenges, but it is oh so sweet!


4. babies come with lots of accessories (this one was brian's-- he thought a wife brought a lot of stuff, ha!)!


5. never say never. pre-pregnant and while i was pregnant, i often thought to myself, "i would never do _____! well, i did!


6. poop on your hand, pee on the floor-- it really isn't that big of a deal anymore!


7. child development is fascinating! the growth that ethan has experienced in a year's time is absolutely unbelievable! (and no baby has ever done this before, haha!)


8. sometimes you wing it.


9. i love, love, love how ethan lights up when he sees me! it is one of the best moments of my day, every day! it amazes me that in this gigantic universe, this boy's mama and daddy are his world. and he's so content with that.


10. as a parent, you say things you never thought you would say: "ethan, quit eating the table, please."


11. it is ok to take a nap!


12. there's no such thing as "running into the store really quickly"! yeah, right.


13. it takes a community to raise a child. ask for help sometimes.


14. you do things you never thought you would do. sing, dance, make voices while reading stories. or maybe being a parent just provides an excuse to have real fun!


15. people love babies. i may have gotten a few remarks as a pregger, but i get stopped all the time now that ethan's out here. my favorite was a lady in Target who made sweet comments about ethan's cuteness (she had good taste), then proceeds to make the most incredible horse imitation i have ever heard. then she walks away. i seriously almost busted out laughing. people do anything for a baby!


16. without a doubt, every day gets better and better.

please feel free to add to my list. i would love to hear your baby musings, too!