A Year of Memories

I'm sure some of these have come out in other posts, but I want them in an isolated area for easier future access. These are just some of the moments that stand out:

• In those first few weeks, I remember Cory made a batch of chocolate chip muffins. He froze them and then every morning he would make me eggs and a muffin. It was probably something to do with sleep deprivation, but they were the most delicious muffins ever. 
• I remember waking up early, noticing Cory was already getting Nolan working on changing a diaper and every time he'd comment to Nolan, "Well, mama's got you wrapped up real good like a burrito." 
• I remember crying over everything and anything, not because I was sad, but because everything felt overwhelming. Happiness doesn't even seem like a joyous enough word for what I felt towards my baby and amazing husband during those weeks. It just didn't stop the emotional tears (my being emotional need not be mistaken for depression as some liked to talk about in the beginning of my parenthood journey).
• I remember before our Babywise implementation, how we'd sit and sing to Nolan, rocking him until he fell asleep. Then, sneakily and quietly and carefully putting him into his crib and tip-toeing out of the room, trying not to make a sound. Ah, glad we got over that around week 7. Nolan's sleeping habits and his ability to put himself to sleep while in his own crib are things I will forever be proud of.
• I remember watching him sleep for who knows how long. Watching his little face go through a series of sleeping emotions and back to a peaceful, smooth, angel's face. 
• I remember the tiny preemie clothes we had to go buy because none of the newborn things fit.
• I remember how well he could hold his head up, and how much disbelief we got when we announced that he had rolled over at 7 weeks old. 
• His eyes were the prettiest hazel/blue. I've loved watching them mold in to the beautiful dark grey they are now with light brown streaks shooting out from their center. I have no doubt that they'll eventually be brown. 
• He's always had a temper, and he's always been the kid who would scream without breathing as he changed from red to blue then finally back to his normal color, earning him the nickname: little red rage monster. 
• He had the most prominent startle reflex that all the doctors talked about. Cory and I would watch with humor on his baby monitor as he'd startle, flinging his arms straight out, then slowly drift back off lowering them little by little. When he was back out and his hands fell the rest of the way back down, he'd startle again. He could go on like this for quite some time, always waking himself up with that startle. This birthed the use of our swaddlepod. He had that reflex for longer than most babies too. 
• He use to pucker his lips in a kiss-face and keep it like that most of the time.
• He first sat up by himself at 5 months. 
• He first crawled at 7 months. 
• He took his first itty, bitty step at 11 months. 
• Nolan thinks daddy is the funniest person there ever was and will giggle and laugh theatrically at most things he does. For now. 
• The sweetest old ladies can smile and talk friendly to Nolan in the store, and he'll stare without emotion for a solid 30 seconds before the crying starts.