The Nola Nerd Baby’s First Birthday

Wait…that fast?

How did this happen?

Yesterday we were taking the Nola Nerd Baby home for the first time. Yet, the calendar says she was born a year ago.

I keep trying to articulate the impact she has had on our lives. Words fail me.

It amazes me how much better of a person I am because of her. I’m also amazed at how much I want to be a better person because of her.

I thought I loved Mrs. Nola Nerd Couple as much as I could. She is my partner for life. Seeing her as a mother, makes my heart swell.

This year has been a rough year. The Mrs had surgery; as of this writing, I need surgery. No matter how dark the clouds look, our baby’s smile makes the sun come out.

On to the Next Milestones!

A friend once said that every milestone is the best one until the next milestone. This is so true. From being able to sit, to be able to crawl, to be able to eat table food, to be able to say a few words, every moment is better than next.

Of course, we want her to stay a baby. Every parent wants that. Parents of babies are exhausted, but they love that dependence. From now on, every day she will learn how to become more independent. And then before we know it, she will be leaving home.

Knowing that we will be able to do so many more milestones with her makes me smile. I can’t wait to watch Star Wars with her for the first and fiftieth time. I can’t wait to drag her to a concert, and I can’t wait for her to pull me to one.

Our One Year Old

I’m forty-five. Being a first-time parent at this age brings its own set of challenges (keeping up with her when she starts running for example). It also carries its own set of rewards. I realize how much fun it is to slow down and be in the moment with her. I don’t have to worry about the struggle to provide as I would 25 years ago. I have never enjoyed a year as much as this last one.

For her birthday, we traveled to Pensacola. Pensacon was happening over the weekend. Plus, Mrs. Nola Nerd’s family lives in Panama City. So our families met at Broussard’s Bayou Grill. This establishment was a perfect venue for us. The food was fantastic, and they fell in love with our little one. This helped since she did make a mess with her cake. She didn’t know what to do with it at first, but then she loved it. Same thing with the convention, shy at first and then she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.

That’s the lesson I’ve learned best from her. Her optimism. She loves life and loves experiencing things. This can be big events like Celebration in the Oaks, or small things like playing with her puffs can. She sees the wonder in everything.

This reminds me to see the wonder in everything.

Our job is to foster that sense of wonder for the rest of her life.