10 Things They Don't Tell You About Year One

Here is my version of the things I have learned the past year:

1. You really can sleep anywhere if you are tired enough. I used to be fairly picky about my pillow choices, laying as flat as possible, blankets etc. On maternity leave that all went out the window. Sleep sitting up, no problem. A thick pillow instead of my cushy one on the couch... Didn't care. If you want sleep enough, you don't care how it comes.

2. You will realize you have spit up on your shirt and not know when, how, or how long it has been there. This happened to me multiple times.

3. Babies have a sixth sense about nap time. Once you put them to sleep, you then have time to do a few things around the house. After that is done, you will sit and take some time for yourself. Babies sense when you are sitting and will give you a maximum of 10 minutes before waking.

4. A day won't go by without talking about your baby's poop. See #5-6

5. I just changed you!! Remember that huge pee diaper you just changed? Thanks, Mom. I needed that. Cause I really wanted to poop in the new clean one you just put on me. So guess what? You get to change me again.

6. Babies don't poop all at once. After changing Rogan 3 times in 30 minutes we slowly learned We need to give Rogan some time to make sure he's done. As a first time mom I didn't want my baby in filth more than needed, so I wanted to change him immediately. A year later: as long as the smell is tolerable he can hang out for 5 minutes to make sure I'm not interrupting his business.

7. As much as you will try not to, you will compare you baby to others. It is totally dumb, but it happens. Babies progress at different rates. Just because it's in the baby book one month, doesn't mean your baby will magically perform these skills on that date. But irrational baby brain doesn't understand this.

8. Babies get sick, and sometimes the only remedy is TIME. As an adult, we get sick, we wait, we might take some over the counter meds, and then if it's gone on too long for our liking we call the doc. But as first time parents, any symptoms of illness merit a call to the doc. And hearing the doctor tell us to wait 72 hours and call if it's not better was totally unexpected for me. Just needs time? Oh, ok. Luckily for us, Rogan has had a very healthy year. A few colds, 1 ear infection, and 1 stomach flu. I'll take that.

9. They will make you forget a bad day. Rogan has a smile that doesn't quit. Picking him up from daycare after a long day is something I always look forward to. I walk in the door, and once he hears me he stops whatever he's doing and super-crawls to me so fast. Demanding to be picked up. Of course i happily oblige. He and I have a special bond of mother and son. And as bad or crazy as my day was, picking him up, singing in the car, babbling about his day, eating dinner, and then playing as a family is a great end to any day.

10. No one can tell you how much you will love your child. Words cannot describe how much my heart swells for that kid. I see my husband, myself, and our future in his eyes. Becoming a parent has been the most challenging and most rewarding thing I will ever do. That part everyone tells you beforehand. But the undying and unconditional love that begins in womb, becomes real at birth, and then grows as every day passes is something I am so fortunate to know and appreciate. I love you, Rogan. With all my heart.

Rogan is ONE!

We had a great day with family and friends.




Singing happy birthday for the second time in his life. We sang it at the hospital the night he was born. 10:14pm a year ago today. 8lbs, 6oz. 19 inches long.

Rogan's First Haircut

He's going to be one... it was time. He had some hairs that were 3+ inches, and others that were barely sprouting. This haircut makes him look even cuter (if that was even possible). Such a handsome boy.

BEFORE:
I'm ready to GO!!














Let's drive!














AFTER!! SUCH A HANDSOME FELLOW... (yes, that is GEL in his hair)

Update...

First... happy valentines day! Rogan's first, (this time last year I was WISHING he'd be here already). But regardless, this year I have TWO great loves in my life. My guys are awesome. Rogan's V-day gift: sleeping until 6:20 this morning, pretty much without a single peep. Ryan sent flowers to my office (I LOVE THAT) and they are beautiful. He also got me Apple TV. It works with our iPad to stream movies to our TV rather than to just our iPad. It's pretty cool. I got him an external hard drive for his xbox. (it's what he wanted). and I'm cooking a nice home-made dinner and bought delicious desert.

Here are my guys... doing what they do best... cracking up.



In sad news, we lost my grandfather to cancer this past Tuesday, he was 81. He was a great influence in my life, and he will be greatly missed. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at Christmas time, it spread to his liver and stomach rapidly, and he died Feb 8th. He came up to Chicago frequently to see the show at the Drury Lane theater, they had season tickets. So Ryan and I were fortunate enough to have lunch with them whenever they were here.

Rogan and Grandad Easter 2010:

November 2010

Rest in Peace, Grandad. We love you.

Snow Day!

The three of us were home all day yesterday, due to SNOW-POCALPSE 2011!!

We had a good day, lots of playing, lots of relaxing, unfortunately LOTS OF SHOVELING.

... I asked Ryan monday night if he wanted to get a snow blower, he said no, we don't need it. boo. So we shoveled ourselves out. Ryan did most of it, I did about a quarter.

Here are some pics from the house: