Graham had his one year check up last Monday. His pediatrician, who is the BEST, just returned from maternity leave, and so she didn’t see him at his 9 month check up. So, on Monday, she was just in awe of how big Graham has gotten. He’s 31 inches tall and 25 pounds. He’s on the “above average” end of the growth scale, and we are so thankful for his great health! Toward the end of the appointment she asked, “And see, it got easier, right?” We both smiled, and I enthusiastically said, “YES! So much easier!” Then she said, “I promise not all babies choke.”
She was referring to Graham’s battle with reflux and a milk allergy early on in his life. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it here, but it was ROUGH. He would choke randomly, during the day and night, and it was exhausting. Thankfully, with the help of our pediatrician and a GI specialist, we were able to get him on medicine that reduced the episodes dramatically, and a specific formula that helped his sensitive tummy. We are beyond thankful to our family and dear friends who gave us so much love and support during that time. It means a lot to have people who stick with you through, not just the good times, but the difficult times too. And having people in your life who don’t judge or dismiss what you are going through is so valuable, too. Becoming a parent has really opened our eyes to who is on our team and who really cares. Seriously, I love my family and friends now more than ever!
Anyway! If you are adjusting to life with a newborn, I promise, it gets easier! It really does. In the moments of pure exhaustion and confusion, just try to take a deep breathe and know that it gets easier. And keep fighting for your child and your family if you know something isn’t right.
Throughout Graham’s first year, I took weekly photos. I know, I’m THAT mom! But hey, I’m proud of the images I captured. Just after we took the final images, his 52 week image and his birthday image, I put one image from every week in a little album, and I can’t wait to get that book in the mail soon. I look forward to the day when he is a teenager and rolls his eyes dramatically at me while I try to show him what a cute baby he was. Oh who am I kidding? He will never roll his eyes at me, right? Right. ;)
I have put together a little slideshow here of my favorite images from his weekly photos. And just for fun here’s a side-by-side image of Graham at one week old and then on his birthday:
My oh my! How quickly time flies! We’ve had so much fun as a family of three. I know it will get even better, too! :)
