This summer has been absolutely flying by! Declan is officially one year old, which is nuts. I can distinctly remember this time last year-- how amazed we were by the newness of our little boy, and how overwhelmed we were with at times. It seems like he's doing something new or different every day now. We are so thankful for our little family.
It unfortunately rained on the day of Declan's birthday party, but we managed. Even worse was the fact that he got sick that morning and was pretty iffy the whole day. By bed time he was miserable and didn't sleep for the next two nights. (Well, he slept, but not much.) A trip to the doctor and an antibiotic later, and he's feeling much better now! Matt and I were so thankful for everyone who braved the rain and our cramped little living room to celebrate Declan's first year.
Matt's parents came to visit the week leading up to DJ's party, which was awesome. It was so nice to see them and to get all the Dunham cousins together!
Matt has been Mr. Mom this summer while I've been working. (He gets the summers off as a teacher). He was made to be a dad. I love that Declan already so admires him.
We take Declan to have his procedure done next Monday (the 22nd). I'm of course a little nervous to have him put under, but I'm relieved to know we'll finally have some definite answers to his breathing, because it's been getting worse. I'm hoping the doctor sees what's going on and tells us it's something he'll just grow out of, but if not, I'm glad we're looking into it and will know how to help him.
Declan now says the following "words" (his pronunciation still needs some work, haha): Dada, mama (very sparingly-- like hardly ever. No worries, son, I only gave you life), headbutt (all the time), and up (he says 'uh' and lifts his arms up) when he wants to be picked up. He also says "ffffff" when he sees Fenway.
He's getting so smart! On a more contradictory note, he ate dog food on Saturday evening. More dog food than vegetables, actually. (I in no way endorsed this activity-- can't even do three minutes worth of dishes anymore!)
I wrote the following on DJ's birthday
On Raising Declan James
You wear a piece of both of us
everyday, forever.
You are tethered by a rubber band
to the treasured pieces of my soul.
I am folded into the dimples
that dress your smile, wrapped around your baby giggle.
All the best parts of me
walk and move and breathe now--
they live outside my being--
revived at last because you use
my eyes to see the world anew.
I feel Cynicism release its cold grip
on me and breathe
greedy gulps of Light and Color;
a deep seeded hope blooms inside me,
coaxes and entices me
to see through big brown eyes
that I wore first but you
wear better.
We are fettered;
you wear a piece of both of us,
every day, forever,
and the honor is all mine, my treasure.
Beautiful poem!
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