Over the course of a year a lot can change and many of you know that last year my wife and I were blessed with a son. Sometimes I feel that the changes weren’t as “drastic” as people make them out to be but it definitely did take some adjusting. When you have a child your life revolves around this tiny person and it’s, well… exhausting! Caffeinated beverages become your best friend but here’s a tip: it sounds cliche, but seriously, when the baby sleeps, you should sleep too. Anyone with a child will vouch that the first thing that changes is definitely your sleep pattern. Oh, sleep, how I miss thee, however, not for the reasons you would think. We’re very lucky to say that Noah started sleeping at least 8 hours through the night when he was about 4.5 weeks old and trust me, it scared the crap out of us! One of your biggest fears after your baby is born is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and you spend a lot of time making sure your baby is breathing for the first 6 months. A lot. Even when they’re past the point where this is no longer a major threat, your parental reflexes take over and you still take turns checking to see if everything is okay. It’s the nature of the job. Even now, I always check to see if he’s okay, I place his blanket on top of him, give him a blessing and head off to sleep, work, or what ever the case might be.
Over the course of a year, your child grows. You begin to see their personality develop. You see the things that they like and dislike. They grow right in front of your eyes and before you know it, a year has gone by and you’re having so much fun that you don’t even know it. When you turn around and look at the road you’ve just traveled you simply wonder to yourself, “damn, how did I travel so far and not know it.” It seems pretty straight forward but its also very baffling. There were times where we would get stressed out (especially in the beginning) because we didn’t know why he was crying so much and why he wouldn’t stop. Here’s another tip: learn your baby’s different cries. If you’re not a parent yet, you might be thinking, don’t all cries sound the same? No. Until they have another form of communication, a baby’s cry is usually the best way to know what is going on. A dirty diaper cry is much different than a hungry cry and both of those are definitely different that a tired cry. Its just a process of elimination. Most of time the cries will be there to warn you that one of those things need to change, if it’s not one of those, you should consult your pediatrician or the parent’s manual that came with your child. 😉

Over the course of a year, I have learned that I have to check myself and remember that everything I do and say is being taken in my son. I know that it’s important that he is exposed to positive and proper things that will not only help mold him into a good person but also help shape him into a better version of me. When I sit down and think about the impact that I have on his life, it’s a pretty damn amazing feeling. It’s evolution. It’s life. To different degrees, all parents struggle to give their children what they never had while maintaining the great things that they did while growing up. It’s a tough line that you straddle because you also don’t want to spoil your kids but you do want to make things better for them (no matter how great things were for you while you were growing up). Again, it’s the nature of the job. I believe that among the ABC’s and 123’s that you teach your children some of the most important things they can learn from you are teaching them to love, to be tolerant and to be patient.

Over the course of a year, I feel I have done more “growing-up” than I have in quite some time but I know I still have many moons to go before I can officially wear the wisdom hat.

Over the course of a year, I have learned that generosity is not a dead concept. We have experienced an overwhelming sense of love from our family and friends. From diapers to toys. From time to money. From love to respect. These are just a handful of things that I am very very thankful for.

Over the course of year, I discovered more about who I am and who I want to be for my wife and for my son. For my family and for my friends.

Over the course of a year, I have realized that the ride has just begun and I’m enjoying every single moment of it.