What a month you had little man! You have really outgrown that monkey of yours! And I think you are finished with all these monkey photos.
Let's first talk about how much you have grown in the last 12 months. You have gone from 4 lbs 2 oz to 22 lbs even. You entered into this world at 16 1/2 inches and you are now 29 1/2 inches long! You have grown a full foot! And you have 7 teeth! You are pulling yourself up on things, eating really good, sleeping really good, and then we took you to Ireland, and everything changed!
As I said earlier, this was a really big month for you, hence all the photos and all the thoughts that will come in this post.
You experienced your first flight, which just so happened to be a transatlantic flight. For those that have traveled internationally with children, I
commend you. I have definitely been on planes with children before, but
obviously haven’t traveled with my own, and let’s just say the whole
traveling/flying experience is very different when you have a child in
tow. My dreams of watching movies, eating my food peacefully and reading
a book were dashed rather quickly, but Jack did great…and it was nice to have
that time to snuggle him. I dare say though it was nice to have my lap
back come our arrival in Dublin on Thursday morning.
While in Ireland, we did all sorts of adventures, you met so many family members for the first time and shared some sweet moments with your great grandmas. And you were finally united with a very special family member...your Uncle Stuey! He's a special one Jack, and you both took to each other straight away!
We traveled to the North Coast where your dad proposed to your mom many years ago and visited Green Gables, the Kilpatrick family holiday home, where your dad spent weeks out of the summer.
We visited your Auntie Ruth near Dublin and spent an afternoon hiking around the coast line. And got some fantastic photos of you as the sun was setting! You are such a trooper!
You visited Santa for the first time at Victoria Square and we waited in line for about an hour so you could get your photo with him. Or wait..let's be honest, so mom could have this photo of you with santa, and if I'm really honest, I have absolutely no idea where that photo even is. Dad was kind enough to be patient considering mom was extremely adamant about this. And I should say sorry child, but this won't be the last time this all goes down. Can't you see just how excited you were about it? Haha...You were extremely stoic, and a little unsure as to what you thought about him. But all in all, it wasn't a terrible experience!
You celebrated your first Christmas, and had absolutely no idea as to what was going on. And mom forced you to take far too many photos in your little First Christmas outfit! Thanks for indulging me.
We took a roadtrip to Monaghan and visited the Leech family farm! Don't worry, you had your boots on and I think you peed on Leech's leg! Poor guy. And mom got ring worm most likely from this adventure. Fun times in the Drennan household.
And you met your great grandmas! Love the photo of you and your great granny! And we hiked up Cave hill on Christmas morning...certainly won't be the last time you do that, but may be the last time you are carried up there by your Uncle Mark. You did fall asleep however, which was always a good thing seeing as you slept in the most random of places because you were so off kilter with your sleep situation. And if I'm honest, your dad and I dreaded night times and bed time seeing as it took us ages to get you to sleep during the day and ages to get you to sleep at night and you woke up so many times throughout the night. By the time we felt as though you were beginning to transition to the time difference, we were starting to think about going home! Poor child, but let's be honest, your laughter, smiles and love...so much love made up for all of it!
And our journey home was a bit of a nightmare. I would never wish that journey upon anyone ever ...in my entire life. But Jack, you were such a trooper, probably more of a trooper than your parents were. We spent two nights in a hotel room - one in Dublin and the other in Chicago. Our flight in Dublin was delayed and we didn't leave until 24 hours after our flight was scheduled to leave, and our flight in Chicago was going to be so late and we were going to get in even later, that we demanded they put us up in a hotel room. I think it took us about three days to get home! Again, you were such a trooper. We nearly ran out of diapers for you, but everything worked out, and you slept great in your little cots each night. By the end of our three day journey, we were so excited to be home!
And even though the journey home was anything less than ideal...we can't wait to do the journey all over again! Loved spending time with family and loved having everyone meet Jack. So worth it! And so incredibly hard to leave.
We love you so much kiddo and thank you for the joy you bring into our lives!
xoxo,
Mom
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