ONE!

This will be a long one so grab the popcorn. My little man just turned ONE and I am still in awe. It was a cold day in February when I took the test. The test that changed my life forever. I always knew I wanted more than one child. I knew I wanted my children to be close in age. But when the pregnancy test came back positive I was SHOCKED! And scared. More than anything I could not understand how I was going to love another baby soooo completely. Did I have any more room in my heart? Even with all the assurances and support I still was not totally convinced the answer was yes. And more than that I mourned my relationship with Hudson a little. In nine months it would no longer be just the two of us...that hurt. I also felt guilty for making him a big brother.......maybe he was fine with being an only child. Regardless in nine short months life would be different....... On the night of October 2nd 2007 I cried myself to sleep. You all know the overwhelming feelings you have knowing your baby is coming.....and I knew my baby was coming the next day. I still had so many concerns and was not convinced I could be a mother of two. I remember sitting on the operating table crying...again...telling my Dr that it had to be a boy. I had convinced myself in the wee hours of the morning that that was the only way I would survive. Two boys...that was the answer....Sometimes in life the stars align and we are blessed with exactly what we wish for. When I held Dylan in my arms for the first time it was like I became a mother for the first time all over again. The love was all consuming and there was no doubt I could do this. YES I had enough love! But I guess all the rest of you already knew that. And the first time Hudson met Dylan any worry in my mind that he was not meant to be a big brother vanished. Dylan became his baby as much as he did mine. The past year has gone by way too quickly and it seems like my baby has become a boy over night.

He spent most of the first weeks sleeping. Such a blessing and SOOO different from his brother. Looking back that was my saving grace. At least during the day…..nights were all together different but we survived.

One day became one week became one month…….

The first smile is always the best milestone for me. FINALLY I get a little something for all the effort. Two months.....became three months I have always been the zen for Dylan. When the witching hour would draw near I was the only one who could calm him down. While yes this got OLD being that he was my second I cherished it more because I knew that it would all change to quickly. The holidays were great and I loved that I had a new baby to dress up

At four months Dylan personality started to emerge. We learned that he LOVES to eat, smile, and was already trying to keep up with Hudson. He also did the roll over this month.

As we all know all good things must come to an end and eventually I did have to go back to work. I must say that I am so thankful to have spent 5 months at home with Dylan and Hudson. And it was an enormous weight off my shoulders knowing that Dylan would be going to daycare with Hudson….I think he fit right in from day one.

Even when you are prepared the months seem to go by in an instant. Before I knew it Mother’s Day was upon us and Dylan started the “Let me put everything in my mouth” phase. He also seemed to have his own language and babble happily to himself…..especially in the morning before I would get him out of his crib. I would lie in bed and listen to him talking to himself. Such a great way to wake up.

I feel like everything happened once he hit six months. Sitting up, drinking from a cup, eating his first cheerios, waving his arms in excitement when I got home from work, clapping hands, blowing bubbles….and my favorite the raspberries (especially while eatiing)

By the ninth month he was crawling and climbing on everything. Hudson kept telling me Dylan was saying Ba-Ba and I kept telling him he was saying Ma-Ma….and at 10 months he really did say Ma-Ma…..right after ‘ball.” O Dylan has the best laugh too. More of a chuckle sometimes, especially when he knows he is getting away with something. Funny how they learn this so early.

And here we are one year later. He has favorite games to play….basically anything that involves a ball. And he loves music. He will stand up against the furniture and shake his legs and throw his head back and forth. He lets you know when he is ‘upset’ by SCREAMING. I honestly don’t think I have ever heard a little person be so loud. And what is it with the cabinets….OMG open-shut-open-shut-open-shut. I know he is learning to explore but you can play connect the dots with the bruises on my legs. Good thing fall is here.

So to recap...here we are day one And here we are today! It is funny how quickly your life can change and how quickly you feel like life could never be any different. When I look back at that girl a year ago, with all those fears, I almost don’t recognize her. Dylan has completed my life and I could never imagine a life without him. His love has given me confidence and reassurance that being a mommy to two is a prefect fit.