Happy First Birthday JJ!

I absolutely cannot believe a year has passed since we welcomed little Javier David (JJ) into the world. This past year has been the fastest yet slowest year of my life. There have been wonderful ups, and there have been very emotional lows as well during this year, but the most important thing is that we made it! We have been taking care of a tiny human for a whole year! Not only did we make it, JJ is doing wonderful! He amazes us every day with how smart he is. Javier (his daddy) and I have really grown so much in the past year. We went from being nervous to take a newborn home to being responsible parents. I’m so proud of how far we have come.

I remember the day that we got to take JJ home. He was four days old, and we were so nervous. My mom helped us settle into our home, stayed a while, and then she went home. There we were with JJ without nurses from the hospital or parents to help us. All we had was each other, google, and God. Haha. We even camped out in the living room all night, and JJ slept in his little swing. I remember waking up every hour to make sure JJ was still okay. Remembering that night just makes me smile every time I think about it.

Also, today is also our one year anniversary of breastfeeding! If you have ever breastfed, you know how big of a deal that is. I pushed through frustration, tears, mastitis, and lots of blisters to get to where I am today, but I would not trade this experience for anything in the entire world. It has been such a bonding experience for JJ and me. I just have to figure out how to wean him now because he just turned one, and I do not see him wanting to stop breastfeeding or my milk production slowing down any time soon. We’ll figure it out I’m sure of it.

We were going to throw a big party for JJ this weekend with lots of food and a piñata and everything, but we are still quarantined. Maybe next year. Instead, Javier’s immediate family came over for enchiladas, rice, chicken wings, and cake! After we ate real food, we let JJ have fun with a little piece of cake! I put it on his walker, but he did not want to sit in it. He stood outside of his walker and ate his cake.

Today Javier, JJ, and I are going to spend the day together. It’s a big day for us so we wanted to spend it as a family. One of us is also going to go out to get JJ a small pool to put in the yard! Who knows, we might be quarantined this Summer too so that would be a good thing to have! I’m sure we will be reminiscing so much today too as we think about this past year. We will also be playing with JJ, and cuddling him all day. He won’t remember this day, but I always will.

To all of the parents with newborns, don’t blink because you’ll miss it. One day they’ll roll over, the next day they’ll crawl, and before you know it they’ll be walking everywhere. Enjoy every single moment (even the difficult ones) because it goes by so quickly!

Anyways, Happy Birthday my sweet boy. I hope you have so many more years to come. I hope your life is FILLED with love and happiness! You will forever be my baby.. no matter how many birthdays you have! I love you so much my sweet boy!