Damn things grow fast.... 1 year ago she was 2.5 pounds at birth and now she's looking like she's got the genetics of my great grandpa... she looks a little like him, has some red in her hair, and that fucking man was a 6'6" lumberjack. It's especially awesome because my woman's only 5'4"... she's already HALF WAY HER HEIGHT!!!!!!
She's 17 pounds now and well ahead of schedule... talks, walks.... gives damn attitude already
All I've learned so far is that parenting is about always feeling like you made the wrong choice. You are doing everything wrong. Everything your kid does feels like your fault and you have somehow failed. Their success feels like your success. If you ever feel like you finally figured it out and are getting into a rhythm, they are about to change everything.
I get really nervous now when it seems like everything is under control. You constantly have to re-evaluate your opinion on what they can handle. Its hard to do. You always have the knowledge that they couldn't handle something, or almost killed themselves trying something. Yet, as they grow you need to try and realize they are able to handle it now.
Stress.
All the time. Stress.
They become independent with certain things quicker then you are prepared for. It will catch you off guard. At the very same moment, they still need you. One day it might seem like they can handle everything. Next moment it seems like they need you for the very thing they were doing themselves just fine.
Learn to be comfortable with the random. With being unable to maintain a plan. Keep trying to plan. But never expect it going the way you anticipated.
My daughter will be 7 in about a month. Thats all I got so far.
Good luck. :D