Lessons Learned in 2006

Tyler takes on the Mighty Pacific

As the first full calendar year of our being first-time parents ends, I look back and marvel at what an incredible year it has been. We have experienced such incredible joy, had a few frustrating moments, learned so much from this precious little person who has graced our lives. Here, off the top of my head, are a few things I've discovered this past year.

- You get rock star treatment when accompanied by a baby. Complete strangers will smile, make conversation, coo, giggle, play peek-a-boo, let you cut in line, offer to carry your bag onto an airplane or help you with your stroller, all because you have a smiling little munchkin with you (who inevitably reminds them of their munchkins).

- Our home will never again be truly clean. Maybe once they all go off to college, and then I'll miss the dirt and mess, so the trick is to appreciate the pasta on the floor, the toys scattered about, and the cookies you find under the cushions of the couch.

- It is never too early to go outside or ask for a piggy back ride. Never. Get up at 5:30am and it's still dark outside? Who wouldn't want to go outside? Mom says "no," then she can just give you a piggy back ride around the house until the sun comes up.

I have all the toys in the world, but this rock is all I want to play with.

- If the next child is a bad sleeper, he/she will be crying it out a whole lot sooner than Tyler. 8 months of not sleeping through the night made mom slightly neurotic.

- Little footsteps really do make a "pitter-patter" noise. It's so much fun to hear it all over the house, sometimes with a toy, golf club, or some other mystery being dragged behind.

- The shower door can occupy a little guy for 45 minutes, just going in and out. Who knew?

- It's okay to leave the house with spit-up on your shirt and peas on your pants as long as your child is clean and happy.

- Rediscovering the way the world works, and seeing it through your child's eyes, is the most precious gift. Watching Tyler get excited about how the hose or a water fountain or the buttons on the car work is just awesome.

- Turn off those buttons on the car, especially the dome light, or your battery will drain and dad will have to buy jumper cables.

- Little boys are made of moonlight and stardust and wind and sunshine. Their smiles will take your breath away and make your heart beam!

Wow, check out this froggy go down the slide!