By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The past 11 months have been hectic around our house.
We have been so busy, it seems, that I can barely even recall where the time has gone.
But, it has been the best 11 months of my life, and I can say without hesitation, that it's been the best 11 for my wife, Mandi, as well.
Our little boy, Ty, will be one year old on March 26.
It seems like just yesterday that we found out we would be parents. I remember being nervous, then excited, then anxious, then nervous again. I didn't know what to expect at all and that scared me to death.
Now, I still don't know what to expect because he changes so much each day.
He's taking a few steps and will soon be running around the house, sure enough to keep us busy. We grab the video camera every night trying to catch his every move.
We can't catch everything he says though.
He is calling "Momma" all the time and occasionally will slip in a little "Da-Da," but he has "Momma" down pat.
It is funny watching as he grows and gets more and more of his own personality. I tell my wife that he's getting her temper, but she knows that's not true.
He is much too subdued for that.
Really, we have been blessed, and spoiled a little I guess, at how good of a baby he has been.
There are times when he will wake up in the middle night, not crying or anything, but he's awake nonetheless.
I will hear him moving and then roll over to see what he's doing.
Right about the time I get turned, I will look up and he is just smiling as big as he can and waving.
Those are the times I wish we could capture on video. Those little moments that seem so routine are the ones that make the most memories.
There are a lot of things in store for us over the next several years, but I hope they slow down a little more than these first 11 months have gone.
It has been a fun and tiresome time.
But, there is nothing like it.
We are still working on all of his "firsts" and I am starting to dread some of them. Some I know will be good, others won't be.
But, I know they will all be special in their own way.
So, now we will just go through another month gearing up for another first – his first birthday.