It’s hard to believe it’s been a full year and a month, but Ramone had his first birthday in April. If I think back on it, the year was filled with great moments watching him grow and learn and seeing how I’ve learned and grown as an adult and new parent.
However, some of the notable lows include sleep deprivation for mama and papa, inconsolable crying jags, teething, diapers, diapers, diapers, too many falls to count while learning to walk. I’d have to say the days were long, but the year was short. Everyday is something new and different about Ramone and it feels like time went a little too quickly.
I often miss the days when he was just starting to smile, when we enjoyed reading books together ALL the time, when he didn’t weigh 25 lbs. and my wrists weren’t so achy. Even so, I wouldn’t trade how he is now and those waking smiles at recognition that we get to spend another day together for any thing.
On April 22, he spent some of the afternoon playing with buddy Alder Gray in the back yard. In the evening, he had a little birthday BBQ at his Auntie Molly and Uncle Eric’s new house, with Grandpa Mike, Uncle Jason and Auntie Avery. Ramone’s mama and papa were there, too, celebrating a very big year for the family.
Moni was given a lovely set of wooden blocks, a hand-knit hoody sweater, a neat Garanimals clock puzzle, super cool sippy bottle that doesn’t leak! and a big framed hand-printed poster with a bike and a tree and birds on it. Thoughtful gifts and well-wishes from family near and far (his cousin Jacob texted his Happy Birthday wishes all the way from Connecticut) helped to make this a special day.
Grandma Laura and Grandpa Bill came all the way from New York to visit a week later. They delighted at how everything gets an emphatic finger-pointing and wordy baby talk. It was a short but sweet visit and we even had nice weather!
I can’t think of a better year than this one we’ve spent together. Happy Birthday Moni Boss.
