On our recent trip to Leitrim Ruairi discovered oranges and more importantly that they roll.  As with everything however it does end up in the mouth at some stage.  I find this journey of discovery so extraordinary.  I think it is this that parents are trying to get across when they describe how wonderful it is to be a parent.  It is being apart of this discovery almost every single day.

Sure there are times when you don’t get any sleep and you wish you could remember what a lie in on a Sunday morning even felt like or your romantic dinner is interrupted by screaming (the baby that is).  All of these things and more simply disappear when you are witness to your childs first time doing or finding something new in the world.

Its 11:30 on Sunday morning and I can hear our little man chatting away to himself upstairs so it must be almost Wheatabix time.  For many of my friends this might not sound like a fun way to spend your Sunday morning but you never know we might just discover something new today.

I recall a friend once saying as we were growing up, that we were running out of firsts. By that he meant everything from your first step as a baby to your first kiss as a teenager.  At the time I thought he was probably right as I left my teenage years behind and we were becoming adults I thought yeah soon we’ll have just done everything…right?

I know what your thinking, of course he wasn’t right but we were young.  I guess it all depends on what you do with your life whether you stop experiencing firsts.  If you get one job, never go on holidays, have kids or possibly leave your house then your unlikely to experiencing anything new but not only is that unlikely it is almost impossible.

I think the most amazing firsts happen when we are kids.  There is something wonderful about discovery, the first time you see an amazing view or watch a fireworks display.  As I watch my son experience all of his firsts (which happen almost everyday) I think to myself it must be amazing to see such wonder in the simplest things. Whether its the taste of broccoli (yuck) or seeing a dog for the first time.  To him everything is an experience to be immersed in.  However, he is not the only one having first times, because its my first time being a parent.  So I get to see him experience all these amazing little adventures for the first time too.

It does something else too, it pushes me to do more, to experience all there is out there.  Whether its being a parent or going parachuting it doesn’t matter, if its a first then its exciting.

I suppose the truth is no matter how old, wise or worldly we get there is always something we haven’t done. Something that will be a first for us. So this is just a thanks to Ruairi for not letting me forget about how amazing and terrifying it can feel to do something you’ve never done before.

You only get one life, live it!

So I was hoping to do a few posts leading up to the birth of my son, however, having a kid is time consuming…who would have thought.

Plus he came on his due date! My son, insane. I honestly thought I had another week at least. In my defence so did the Dr.

His exact words were, “arrive today no, I reckon next week at some stage”. My son promptly arrived less than 12 hours after the Dr uttered those words.

So now its 13 weeks on and we are adjusting well to our new role as parental units.  tough my friends but extremely rewarding. I find myself watching less tv, I have forgotten what a pub looks like and sleep is something I read about only in books (and as most of you know, I don’t read books).   I must point out at this juncture that tho I am involved, of late by darling partner Lesley has been kind enough to do the majority of night feeds.

When people found out about my impending parenthood they would always proceed to say congratulations. This was promptly followed by so are you ready for all the sleepless nights, feeding, vomiting…etc etc.

I would smile and say as ready as I’ll ever be. As if there was some way I could travel forward in time to get some practise! The truth is, nothing on this earth can prepare you for the turmoil this one little person will reek upon your calm world. All that said there is some sort of in built instict that activates upon his arrival. Something you were only aware of when you hear a fight somewhere off in the distance and a small part of you gets ready…just in case.

Its that dormant gene that suddenly activates and makes you become more aware of your surroundings. You now have this family to protect and people who drive fast are now idiots, not cool. Yes my friends you have become your parents. It was at that moment I realised why my father always worried when I was out, even when I’m 26.  It was at that moment that I understood why my mother could not sleep until I was home from a night out and it was at that moment that I realised that all that lay ahead of me too.

The road ahead is tough my friends and I fear what I do not know, but I also revel in it. Its sends shivers down my spine to think of all the things he may accomplish and all the adventures we are yet to have. The sleepless nights and crazyiness of the last few months mean nothing to the first time we will stand on the sugar loaf together, climb Caroontoohil or maybe even Mount Kilimanjaro.