One and a Half

So, Noni is 18-months-old today.  

Initially I was going to make a list of eighteen things that I've learned in eighteen months.  Then I decided that to make a list of a few of the most pertinent points would be more within the perimeters of the limited amount of time I have to write in the first place.  Eventually I concluded that despite all that could be said regarding my experiences as a new mother for the past year and a half, nothing  holds more weight than the realization that she and I are both fortunate to have each other, and we are both extremely fortunate to have her father.  

If I were raising her alone, there's no doubt in my mind that I could do it.  I'll even go out on a limb and say that I'd be extremely great at doing so. *goofy smile* 

But more so than anything that can be said about what I've experienced/learned in terms of parenting when it comes to matters such as health, play, elimination communication/potty training,  how socially awkward other parents can be at Library Playtime, etc., I'll say this:   there's nothing like having the support of someone who's there to hand the baby off to while I lie flat on my face, on any accommodating surface, and do ab.so.lute.ly nothing--if only for 3-5 minutes until said baby realizes I'm in exhausted, nothingness bliss and comes to interfere. 

But seriously (although I was very serious previously),  compared to that, I see everything else as just being a part of it all. You give birth, then you live it--figuring things out along the way.  But in terms of a partner who's present,  it's great to have him here to work through the process with, not to mention how exceptional he is as a cook and juice maker.     He hooks us UP!

It's been an eventful and energetic past 18 months, and I'm certain that it'll only get more intense from here!

Them at almost 5 months