Noah at One Year

Over a year ago a life-changing event showed up in the middle of Katie and I's simple lives, something that complicated and enriched our little family forever. Noah Emerick was born. Since he arrived we've endured an onslaught of dirty diapers, interrupted nights, and half-hearted adherance to his ever-changing schedule. In short, its been paradise.

There's been the obvious acceleration over the last few months, a quickening of 'firsts', though the entire year has been a lot of fun to witness. From the first time he opened his eyes to the first time I shushed a wild animal to a calm, sleeping baby, the beginning was a wild ride. Now he's (almost) standing on his own, crawling around like an uncontrollable force, and getting into everything not bolted down.

First tricycle ride

Noah mowing down on birthday cake

Thanks to the freedom and financial stability of my job at Shutterstock both Katie and I are a lot more present with Noah now. We had started with day care, which was okay but not great, and now Katie is staying at home with him most days (she works maybe one or two shifts a week). She is able to watch him grow and encourage him to try new things firsthand and not have to relate everything through a stranger from day care. There are good times when I can hear him laugh from my office and bad times when I hear him cry. The good times outnumber the bad.

Katie and Noah looking over the blue waters

We've done some of the typical new-parent things, like walks through the neighborhood and swimming in pools and visits to the zoo, though that period in our lives is just beginning. I'm not sure if he's old enough to attempt a trip to the Upper Peninsula. We've done some long walks, nothing beyond an hour, and nothing more than an hour from the house. It would be a lot of fun to take him and Katie to Wetmore Beach or Salmon Point, easy level walks through quiet woods, just to see how he'd take to the wilds.

Noah and me down by the lake

Noah has always had a great personality. I'm not sure if that's nature or nurture, as we've tried to be very positive around him, but he's a really a great baby. If he's upset there's a reason, and that reason can usually be fixed. He's curious, laughs a lot, and seems very thoughtful at times. I get the feeling that he's going to be pretty similar to me growing up, with a nose in a book when not running around a yard, which is kinda scary. I constantly had mauled limbs and bruises - the thought of Noah getting hurt is terrifying.

King of the grass-world

As Noah travels into toddlerhood and Katie and I brace for the future more changes are hurdling towards us. We're expecting another addition to our family early next year (yays!) and may be moving before hand (yikes!). Noah is going to be an excellent big brother, he just has the right personality, I just hope that his parents can handle two kids roaming around underfoot.