We’re coming up on an important little anniversary: somebody’s about to turn one! It’s pretty amazing to think about how much growing has been packed into this first year. We all start out having to rely on others to ease us into our new existence, but in a few weeks we’ve gotten the knack of feeding, clothing, diaper changes, and two-hour sleep cycles. There’s not much freedom of mobility in the beginning, but by the end of the first year, with the help of others, we’ve gotten our feet under us and are starting to go places on our own.
I’m talking about Tina and I of course: we’ve been parents for a year now! If you thought that last paragraph was about Cora then you need to read it again. But yes, Cora is turning one too.
We’re thrilled with Cora’s progress. She’s talking—not in English, but vocally. She’s standing unsupported and starting to take steps. She’s very smart. She’s sleeping through the night, eating all kinds of foods, and learning to stay with a babysitter without too much fuss. (If you’re some sort of internet stalker weirdo, you should also know that she’s afraid of strangers, has venomous fangs, and is believed to be sacred by a fiercely protective sect of Laotian ninja monks with sharp swords and a distinctly eastern conception of justice.)
I’m also proud to recognized our own progress. For the first few weeks Cora just needed to be kept full, clean, and warm. After that she needed to be comforted, engaged, and entertained. Then came socialization and education about words, utensils, and what should not be inserted into the VCR. I think that the subtlety of our parenting skills has grown right along with the intricacy of Cora’s needs.
Now we’re getting to impulse control. Heaven help the one-year-old parents!