A Year in Review

A year ago today, my precious little boy was born into this world. During labour, he put up a good fight to stay in his safe, warm home, but in the end, mom won and he was finally in my arms. Truman is as strong willed now as he was that day! In that sense he has not changed at all. Even though I was exhausted and in a lot of pain, I was never happier.

When we were finally allowed to bring Truman home our lives were full of "firsts" and we had a lot of learning to do. We were learning how to breastfeed, how to change diapers, how to bathe a squirmy newborn and most of all we were learning all about our son. Truman was also learning all about us. I can remember our first night home like it was yesterday. Jerry and I decided to go out for a little bit with Truman, despite my instincts telling me to take it easy and just be at home. I was just in a hospital bed for four days and was dying to be on the move. For those who know me, I don't like to stay still for too long! I paid for this little adventure of ours, but looking back, it was worth it (sorry honey, it probably didn't help you in the end). Our first night of trying to sleep did not go so well. Jerry and I were up every half hour or so, trying to console our young son. The next night we discovered co-sleeping! Finally both Truman and I were able to get some sleep, but my poor husband, the worrier that he is could not get any sleep despite being in the basement. Any sound he heard he came running up the stairs to see if his family was alright.



Our little man was a hungry, hungry hippo. He could eat, and eat some more and never seemed to be full. Especially at night when I felt as though I was feeding him for hours, and then he would still manage to finish an entire bottle of formula. Still to this day, my little boy can eat any other one year old under the table. He loves food, but then again, who in the Topolski-Braun household doesn't?

My first TSN turning point came at the six week mark, when my doctor told me I was as good as gold and could return to my normal life. I think the first thing I did was hop in the car and just drive. I was so excited to take the stroller out by myself. I was on a new high which lasted many, many months. My energy levels increased and I felt like a new woman. My parents no longer had to come every day to help me (although I am totally indebted to them and I don't know what I would have done without them those first few weeks). Truman and I started attending classes, going for long walks, and having a lot of nice quiet time. Did you believe that? Quiet time? Hardly! My little Tdot has been very active since the beginning and loved to be in my arms or the Baby Bjorn. I don't know what Jerry and I would have done without the baby carrier. Until about three months Truman was sometimes a little difficult and was a fussy baby. At about 4pm every afternoon, or so it seems in retrospect he cried until he started his cluster feeds at 7pm, unless of course I popped him into the carrier or swing. Both which seemed to soothe him. Was he colicky? I go back and forth on this every day. How can one be sure?

Our second and final TSN turning point came just after we returned from Orlando, so that was at around three months. My little one turned into the happiest fellow. He smiled at everyone and flirted with anyone who looked in his direction. Truman is the same way today, when we are out and about I can't tell you how many people stop me and exclaim what a happy baby I have. Now, I don't want to mislead my readers, he can also be a very cranky baby. But truly I think that I am lucky!

At four months, to our surprise, Truman started teething. It was Baba who predicted this correctly. Baba has called a lot of milestones, and eventually I learned to trust her instincts! Not only did one tooth come to the surface, about two days later we had another one! Then, his teeth kept coming in, one after the other until he had his full set. He just recently had one of him molars come in.

We continued to enjoy our classes over the winter months. We went to Salsa Babies (our favourite), Baby Mother Goose, Yoga (which was a complete bust), baby massage, Making the Connection (another bust), gymboree (another favourite), swimming, and I am sure there may be more that I am forgetting. Although, the most important past time activity for me was walking with my friend Emily and her daughter Grace. This is when I was able to talk to someone about my parenting issues, as Grace is two months younger than Truman. Or, when Truman was getting a little frantic, it was a great way to get out of the house for awhile. As Emily and I increased our walks, my addiction to Starbucks also increased around the same time. Coincidence? I think not! We always liked to have a destination to go to, and it usually ended up being Starbucks. The amount of money I have spent....anyways.....

Just before six months we started Truman on solids and he of course loved it. I have learned from this experience to trust my instincts and not go always go with recommendations. I had noticed that Truman seemed hungrier just leading up to this point and he was always watching us eat. He ended up losing weight between his five and six month appointment. I have learned now to listen to my gut.

Our little man has also be an avid traveller over the last year. We took him to Florida, New York (a couple of times), Dominican Republic, and just recently Boston. The family had planned to travel to Europe this past summer, but hopefully soon we will be able to visit our families. Both great-grandmothers are anxiously waiting to meet him!

Truman has many likes that we have discovered over the last year. He likes the water and can't get enough of it whether the water is in a fountain, waterfall, faucet, pool, or tub. He goes crazy and wants to get his hands wet. That is, until someone else is in his pool and then he is not a happy camper. He also loves food, which I think I mentioned earlier. His favourite foods being cheese, yogurt and Tim Horton bagels.

As time went on, Truman learned to roll, sit up on his own, finally learned to crawl and then just recently started walking. He always liked to stand and for the past few months really enjoyed me walking him around. A part of me now misses those days where he depended on me more. I seem never to be satisfied! Truman has always been a verbal kid and started babbling early on. He must take after his father who also enjoys talking! Everyday I enjoy hearing what new word he may utter.

So, here begins the next chapter of our life. On Tuesday Truman will start day care and I will be heading back to work in about a month. Life is about to change once more. There was a time when I could not even think about leaving my son, but as the months have gone by, I am slowly letting go. Just a little.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet boy who has changed my life in so many ways, and has helped me grow. Although we won't be spending our days together, you will always be in my heart and in my soul. I love you.