A year come and gone

In just a couple of quick days, this year will be over. Just like that, twelve months have evaporated into a distant memory. Just over six months ago, Max wasn’t even here, and in two days, he’ll be ringing in a new year.

In reflection over the last year, well…I’ll be honest. It’s been mostly a blur and my aged mind can’t form a clear thought most days now. However, I do remember last Christmas, sleeping in till about 10am, sipping tea while lazily opening presents with Jeremy and thinking how great next year’s Christmas will be with the baby.

And, now that Christmas was here and gone, although not quite as imagined, it really was nice. Max woke us up bright and early at six o’clock (something I’m sure he’ll do purposely on Christmas mornings in years to come) and we had to take a break with the presents to put him down for a nap. With the crackling fire playing on the tv and Christmas songs piping softly in the background, the image of our little family was more than a cheerful thought.

The last half of the year went incredibly slowly and yet in some respect, quick as lightning. The first few months were truly a nightmare, with endless nights and days melted into one, crying battles for both baby and mom, embarrassed moments in public with hysterical and obviously tortured child and never a clean shirt to be worn.

But, eventually, the constant crying lessened and the crankiness was eased to a low rumble. Max was finally able to see the world without fear of melt downs (of Jeremy and I mostly). And, the best part was that his enormous personality began maturing and shining through his wide smile and sparkling eyes. In just half a year, we’ve watched our baby turn into a baby boy…and oh, what a boy! Rough and tumbling, tossed around and swung upside down until he laughs with glee.

And, ah, to hear him laugh….

I think that’s what being a proud parent is all about, at least at this stage. Not even forgetting the fact that he’s pulling himself up to standing position on his own and even taking his first awkward motions of crawling.

I look back on photos since June, and I stand in awe to think it wasn’t that long ago he was just an infant, helpless and motionless. And yet, here he is now, strong and healthy and babbling “dadadad” and the occasional “mommmamam”.

I remember a dinner Jeremy and I took alone not long after Max was born. It was a somber dinner as I broke down in exhausted complaints and worry as we shared our concerns and our truthful feelings about it all. I remember wishing that Max could just be a happy baby.

I think that day has come. He may not be the easiest baby, that’s for sure. But, Max wears his heart on his sleeve, a trait that I wish I carried myself. Anyone who catches the awareness in his eyes and gets his enormous and genuine smile can see that he is truly happy.

Here’s to a new year of firsts and lots of great and fun things to come!

Cheers!