The Final Lap

As we embark on the final month of Gavin's first year, I've caught myself reflecting on how much things have changed from his first months to now. What a journey this has been. Difficult, awesome, amazing, stressful, joyful, and exhausting only begin to describe it.

It reminds me a little bit of college when the freshmen frat boys would walk around in misery during Hell Week for their initiation into the fraternity. I remember learning in some psychology class that if it's difficult to gain membership into a club or you go through something really tough to be a part of something, then you show much stronger loyalty to the club or thing to which you've now gained membership. I think raising a newborn baby shows similarities to this theory. You are put through hell, yet you've never loved anything more.

We've come such a long way, and every month gets better and better. Here, allow me to lay it out for you.

It makes me wonder if I'll ever want to do it again. I know every baby is different, and I can only hope that the second one would go a little easier on me. Also, I would definitely be a lot more relaxed about the whole thing, which would make it easier on everyone. But still...nothing and nobody has ever turned my world upside-down so wholly. 

Anyhow, we've got a month to go until the big first birthday, so I can elaborate on all that I've learned and all that I feel and also provide in detail how Gavin has grown and how super-amazing he is at that time. Happy weekend!