A Lifetime of Firsts.

I recently reflected on Ronan and how much he has grown in the last 14 months.   I got really sad reminiscing on all the firsts we had shared with him this busy first year.  First time rolling over, first smile, first steps, first teeth.  I couldn’t believe that the year of firsts was over.  I kept asking myself where had the time gone and what would we look forward to in the future.

It was afterwards during an afternoon rainstorm and Ronan's first time playing in the puddles that I realized we will be sharing a lifetime of firsts with our son.  First soccer game, first broken bone, first crush, first car…  The thought overwhelmed me with emotions of happiness.  It was then that I realized that Ronan will have a lifetime of firsts that we will be lucky enough to watch and be a part of.  

Time is moving fast.  Although there will be a lifetime of firsts we still must take time to enjoy the little things.   The unexpected memories.  

 

Here is us enjoying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you take a little time to stop and enjoy the little things sometime soon.

Small sacrifices... BIG rewards!

This is not my first sacrifice and it will not be my last.

It started with 9 months of being pregnant.  You know the whole 9 MONTHS spiel really confuses me considering you are really pregnant 40 weeks, which is 10 months.  Maybe if they were honest about that less women would have unplanned pregnancies…. But that blog is for another day.

So first was the 10 months being pregnant.  Then it was labor, epidural free natural labor.  Then 12 months of nursing and pumping twice a day at work.  And here we are at almost 14 months and still nursing (not pumping anymore).  Don’t get me wrong I love it, most of it ;) but that’s a lot of time spent nursing when I could be doing other things.

Now Ryan and I are very lucky and have close family so date nights and a few nights/weekends off have happened.  BUT, one thing I really miss is girls’ weekend.  For years my group of girlfriends have taken turns getting married so lots of parties have happened, wedding showers, bachelorette parties and of course the wedding.  Now in my world of friends more are having babies than partying.  Which I wouldn’t trade for anything and we are already planning a  2014 trip, but I already know of  1 preggo and who knows if any of us will be on #2 when this so called girls trip happens and delays this trip.

So, back to my sacrifice.  Ronan was SUPER sick this week.  Fevers, not eating or drinking and was out of school for 4 days.  He was so sick he didn’t even play or act like himself. This was by far our worst sickness yet.   So, when a girls trip aka bachelorette party was scheduled for this weekend I thought for sure he would be better in time for me to go.  After all I had a great black skirt to wear.  But alas, no such luck.  I stayed home to care for my baby – although he was on the path to recovery I couldn’t risk not being there at night (especially since he is still nursing… ho hum).  So I backed out.  And if you know me and how much I like to party you know that was a tough call. 

So what does a girl do instead?  Drink a few glasses of wine and throw herself a pity party.  That’s right – 2 glasses of pinot later and having myself a little pity party.  That is until Ronan woke up and called for Mama.  Then I realized this was the right decision.

I knew becoming a Mom would change me in different ways forever.  I don’t think you ever know until you experience it and this is just one lesson in a life’s journey.

Different memories may come and go, but being a Mom is forever.  And I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

 

Slumber Party - Kalb Style

Last night I awoke to Ronan’s first nightmare.  It was so sad – he was whimpering and rolling all over.  I grabbed him and held him and shushed him until he calmed back down.  Sader and Lola woke up to see what was wrong with Ronan (which I love how much they care and love him and worry when he is upset).  Once they realized he was ok they decided to snuggle in bed with us. 

That’s when I admitted to myself that we were a co-sleeping family.  Now I never thought I/we would be one of those families (although I should have known since we have always let our dogs sleep with us).  We originally bought our King size bed since both of our dogs at the time slept with us in our Queen.  Now only Lola does regularly, but occasionally Sader joins the party.  If you know us that’s a lot of people in 1 bed.

I came across this funny image on Facebook I thought I would share. 

 

As my Mom stated – “Just add 2 dogs” 

 

And not the smallest of dogs (Lola is 110 pounds and Sader is 85)

It wasn’t an intentional decision to be a co-sleeping family.  It truly came out of convenience.  As a nursing and working mama it was easier to let him sleep with us for all his nighttime feedings.  I needed my sleep too.  Honestly, though I love it.  I love waking up, rolling over and seeing his sweet face sleeping.  He is a funny sleeper.  He once sat up and started clapping, he laughed for about 15 seconds the other night and I was able to calm his fears last night when he was scared.  I might have missed those moments if he wasn’t there with us.  He is the happiest baby in the morning too – he awake every morning, sits up and says “Hi.”  Then he rolls over to Ryan and I to snuggle.  It’s so special and magical a time before all the morning madness happens.

I know the words co-sleeping invokes all kinds of crazy images to some (we must be hippies) or we hear a lot (“just let them cry, they only do it for a night or two”) and while that might work for some it just didn’t for us. Every family and parenting style is different.   For us this works. 

Ronan won’t sleep with us forever so I cherish every night while I can.

 

 

 

 

Ronan Turns 1!!!!

Ronan (and Mommy & Daddy) Survived the 1^st Year. 

That’s right, we didn’t kill him.  We made it through the around the clock feedings, first few colds and bumped heads.  His first smile, first cries and first laughs.  It’s been an amazing 1^st year.  We can’t believe how quickly it has flown by.  Ronan amazes us more and more on a daily basis – he is learning so quickly.

 His birthday weekend was jam packed.  We had a fun party, went to the beach and zoo.

We’ll start with his party.  What a success.  Mr. Richard played all of Ronan’s favorite songs including the Airplane song and Happy Birthday!!

 

 

 

 

 Ronan really boogied to his music.  He definitely got his love of music from us, but not his dancing.  So far he is the most talented of the family in that department.

 

The Smash cake was fun, but not a great success.  While it started off great – I squished his finger when I placed the cake down.  Now, I don’t think it really hurt him, but will all eyes on him I think he freaked out and of course immediately started crying.  Not off to a great start. 

 

 
Once he got 2 spoons though the destruction was on!! 

 

And of course a few friends helped him along the way.

 

All in all, he didn't really eat much of the cake but he did manage to destroy the cake!!

We had lots of friends and family come to the celebration - from far and near.  We loved celebrating with everyone.

 

 

Thanks again everyone for all the LOVE AND SUPPORT we have received this year. 

..... and we're Walking!!!!

I am two weeks late to posting this, but at 11.5 months Ronan started walking!! 

We are 2 proud parents (with only small dreams of his being a Professional Soccer or Rugby player and making us all rich - since he's so advanced and all!!)

He started taking 1-2 steps or leaps as we called them from the couch to the table.  He did that for roughly 2 weeks.  Then he started taking 2 or 3 steps at  his MyGym classes or around the house.  Still scared to go any further, but we knew it was coming.  THEN, one day he woke up and was walking.  First at home, then across his classroom, then all around his MYGym classes.  Then it was official.  He is a walking, talking little man.

Dogs beware - he's coming for you ;)

We love you Ronan and are VERY proud of you. 

Welcome to the Craziness!!

Welcome to the craziness that is the Kalb Family.  If you are reading this you know us.  Two big loopy, poorly behaved, HUGE dogs, baby Ronan pulling baskets and toys everywhere and Ryan and I - outnumbered already!!  I will never have the perfectly clean or organized house - but we love our friends, family, entertaining and living life.

I am feeling very nostalgic this week.  Ronan is getting closer and closer to turning 1 and I am wondering where the heck the year went.  Did I take enough pictures?  Will I remember some of his favorite nuances as he grows older - sweet murmurs he makes while nursing, his "thinking" face when he furrows his eye brows.  Will I remember his sweet baby smiles?  He is growing and changing every day.  He truly amazes me.  He is kind, generous and loving.  He is anxious to learn new skills and is adventurous already.  Ryan and I can both see so much of ourselves in him already, but he is truly his own person.

I won't be the best family blogger.  I'm great at starting a project and I have the truest of intentions.... but only time will tell.  Hope you'll stay tuned and follow our adventures.