ONE YEAR!

Grant turned ONE this month.  How is that possible?!?!?   Seriously, it was just yesterday we brought him home, right?!  This has been the quickest year of my life.  The saying is so true about parenthood-the days are long but the years are short. Over the last year we sacrificed many times, lost many hours of sleep, and fought nap time too many times to count; but this has been, hands down, the absolutely BEST year yet.  Greg and I consider ourselves so lucky.  We have the most perfect baby in our eyes.  He has brought us so much happiness and laughter this past year.

Greg and I survived our first year of parenthood!  That is the true celebration-the survival of the parents. Sure-we looked forward to his “smash cake” and he definitely brought so much joy to the party, but secretly, Greg and I were celebrating us.  WE DID IT!  We kept Grant alive.

Grant had his first plane ride this month.  My grandpa passed away so we made a trip to Colorado for the funeral.  It was nice Grant was able to come and bring some happiness to such a sad time.  Grant did very well on the plane. Papa kept him entertained the way out to Colorado and Greg, Peter and I kept him entertained on the way home.  It was a long flight home, and I have no desire to fly with Grant again any time soon, but I am happy we did it.

A short few days later, Greg and I had our first trip away from Grant!  Greg had a work conference in Boston, so we headed out a few days early to enjoy the city.  It was nice to get away; Greg and I had a blast.  We had a ton of great seafood and saw so many great historical sights.  It was a lot of walking and a very busy vacation, but definitely worth it.

Cheers bar!

Harpoon Brewery pretzel and brewery tour

Fenway Park

Duck Tour

Of course, the first time Greg and I both leave Grant, he gets sick for the first time and has his first trip to the urgent care.  He was sent home from daycare with a fever and ending up having a double ear infection.  It made it hard to be away from him, and I definitely considered coming home early, but I was happy my parents were there to take care of him.  After a dose or two of antibiotics, he was a happy camper and did well for my parents and Greg’s parents the second half.

Grant celebrated his first Halloween this month.  He was the cutest little puppy we had ever seen.  He was definitely the cutest but sure wasn’t the happiest.  His antibiotics for his ear infection weren’t working and I had to take him into urgent care for the second time the next day.  He also wasn’t too fond of his costume.  Even though all that was going on, we still made it out to trick or treat at Nana and Papa’s house and Great Aunt Randi and Uncle John’s house.  We are hoping next Halloween Grant is a happy, healthy boy and that Dad is home to trick or treat with us!

We FINALLY finished the master bathroom this month.  It has only been, well, too many months to count since we started this renovation.  So, man, is it nice it is done!

First we made the tub a full shower and the old shower a closet.

Before

After

Next we got new vanity, new mirror and new countertop.

Before

After

Last, we made the wall by the toilet a half wall.

Before

After

Grant has learned so many new games this month.  It is fun to watch him and he is just getting so interactive this past month.

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

Happy and you know it, clap your hands!

Stick out your tongue and SO BIG!

Grant got his first hair cut this month.  We were sad to cut off his cute curls, but it was time.  The hair was getting in his eyes and we had family pictures later this month.  He did great!  We went to Shear Madness and they did a great job.  He was able to sit in a car and they had Paw Patrol playing right next to his chair.  He looked like such an adorable little man after his cut!

We decided to get family pictures in the afternoon before his big birthday party.  Luckily the weather cooperated and the pictures turned out beautiful!!!  I was soo happy with them!

Our whole family

Chalik family

Young family

After the family pictures, we had everyone over to celebrate Grant’s first birthday.  It was a fun time, but definitely a lot of work to host 20-ish people.  Grant had a great time!  We were excited to give him his smash cake, thinking he would love it, and all he wanted was his milk!  He hasn’t quite figured out whats presents are or how to open them yet either.  Overall, Greg and I had the best day celebrating our little ONE YEAR OLD.  Insert sobbing emoji here.

At his one year doctor appointment, he weighed in at 23 pounds 15 ounces or the 86%, his head was 48 centimeters or the 93%, and length was 30 inches or the 57%.  The doctor said if he keeps having ear infections there might be some ear tubes in the future.  Lets hope that does not happen.  He got 4 shots and a finger poke.  He was a champ!  Other than that he was right on track developmentally.

I could go on and on about the first year of parenthood.  All of the ups and downs, all of the emotions, tears, stress and worry were totally and completely worth it.  Being a parent is absolutely the best, most fulfilling road I have taken yet.  I can’t wait to see what is ahead in year two with Grant!