What a Difference a Year Makes

Emron: 5 days old.

Emron: 1 year 2 weeks old.

Recently we celebrated Emron's first birthday, photos of the party are forthcoming, and in the weeks following Emron's party I've looked back on the last year; Emron first year of life, my first year as a mom.

I remember the red and purple little guy who came out crying and how his tears elicited tears of my own, tears of joy filled with nerves as the knowledge set in that his well being was my responsibility.  We were so happy to bring Emron home and so ready to be out of the hospital, but when we arrived home we were uncertain what to do with ourselves or the baby.  Our first night home Emron slept in our bed in between Murry and me on his curved changing table pad.  We were so worried about rolling over and squishing our barely six pound, 18 inch long, little guy that he had over half the bed while we barely managed to stay on our respective sides.

I remember Murry's first Father's Day.  We went to the East Lake Mall.  I remember using the family restroom to nurse Emron while Murry guarded the doors, and pushing the stroller, taking in the sights and enjoying the attention our handsome little one attracted.  That afternoon when we were home Emron laughed for the first time.  Tears streamed down my face as I laughed and cried at the same time.  Emron's laughter was the most beautiful music I had ever heard.  

We took several trips to Colorado during Emron's first year.  Emron loved playing with Grandma's dog and looking at the flowers in her garden.  We loved taking him to Denver to meet his great grandfather and all of his other family members.  I remember my little buddy with his american flag doo-rag as he and Murry walked in the neighborhood 4th of July parade.  They were so dang cute.

A lot of my memories of the past  year revolve around events or memorable firsts, but one day in December sticks out, too.  I decided I was going to clean out the refrigerator while Emron napped.  I had scrubbed and Windexed and I was almost finished, but when I took out the  last shelf and, it broke...  Into a million tiny pieces.  Oh, what if my baby had ben playing on the floor when this happened, oh what a mess!  I was in tears (lots of tears for me).  I cleaned up the mess and reassembled the fridge the best I could though it lacked a shelf.  I researched the price of a new shelf: $120!!!  More tears came.  Then I heard Emron crying, he was up from his nap.  I got him out of his crib and I cried some more.  My sweet Emron rested his little head on my shoulder and stared patting my back.  So amazing.  

We've had quite a journey this year.  Murry, Emron and I.  We're a great little team.  We definitely had rough patches but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  We have so much love in our little family.

XOXO,

Aspen