Fun 107’s Gazelle Reflects on Son Turning One

On May 7, 2026, my son turned a year old.

It’s been quite the eventful day, but I finally found time to sit down and spill my thoughts onto paper. He just finished up his nighttime “tubby” and is settling down for the night. Watching his head rest against my wife's chest, he let out one big sigh before finally closing his eyes, exhausted from our trip to the Buttonwood Park Zoo earlier in the day.

A whole year later and his first birthday is all wrapped up. Where does the time go?

@iamgazelle The biggest and most emotional LIVE on-air moment of my career. #babyboy #fun107 #TheMGMShow #adulting #radio #newbedford #fairhaven #southcoast #majorannouncement ♬ original sound - Gazelle

I will say this: becoming a parent was equally terrifying and the best thing to ever happen to me, and I’m sure I can speak on behalf of my wife as well. It’s been challenging, to say the least, but a good challenge that pushed us to the brink of burnout while helping us discover strengths we never knew we had.

The Beautiful Chaos of Parenthood

The sleepless nights. The sudden mystery tears and trying to figure out what he wants without ever knowing what set him off to begin with. The 3 a.m. “I’m wide awake mommy and daddy, come play with me” energy that comes out of nowhere, followed by another 45 minutes to an hour of trying to get him back to sleep. The constant worries of making sure he doesn’t fall or bump his head. Making sure he gets his two naps in a day, otherwise he becomes a cranky little ball of stubbornness.

But being able to share those naps with him? That’s everything. You learn quickly to take the cuddles whenever you can before time runs out. As exhausting as these moments may sound, they’re all part of this beautiful journey that’s worth every newly welcomed gray hair and under-eye wrinkle.

The Little Moments That Matter Most

The love I’ve felt through skin-to-skin contact. The way my heart melts after getting home from work after a long day and seeing him smile bright before quickly crawling into my arms. Carrying him to bed each and every night to squeeze in one final hug for the day. The forehead kisses before heading off to work early in the morning.

His little bursts of happiness and claps when he thinks he’s done something special. The car rides to see his grandparents. Even his love for food, he clearly takes after his father. It’s all worth it.

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Giving Credit Where It’s Due

Lastly, I can’t leave out the hard work and sleep deprivation my wife endured while breastfeeding for an entire year. The ups and downs of worrying whether our son would have enough milk, to the needy latching for comfort. I give her all the credit in the world. Where she dug deep, I honestly don’t know if I would have been able to do what she has done.

Truthfully. There have been days filled with struggle and worry about failing as parents, and I’ve learned those feelings are completely normal. If anything, it just shows how deeply you care.

READ MORE: Gazelle Shares His Baby Boy’s Birth Story [AUDIO]

So what have I learned after a year? It’s simple: this journey is far from a race. If anything, taking it slow is how you win.

What Fatherhood Has Taught Me

My boy has changed me for the better in ways I can’t even explain without getting emotional. The way he looks at me. The way he holds tightly onto his mama. In a world where nothing is perfect, he’s as close to perfect as it gets for us.

This first year has been one giant learning experience, and I’m never too proud to ask for advice. Whether it comes from family, friends, or even fellow celebrity dads like Jason Derulo and John Legend, I’m willing to absorb whatever I can to continue becoming the best dad possible for our son.

READ MORE: Gazelle Gets Real Advice From Jason Derulo From a Father's Point-Of-View

Hopefully years down the road, when he’s old enough to read, he’ll stumble across this and see just how deeply his parents love him and how we would do absolutely anything for him. No matter how old or big he gets, he’ll always be the little boy who somehow made our world feel bigger, louder, softer, and more meaningful all at once.

So to my son: happy first birthday, buddy. I love you endlessly. Being your dad has been the greatest gift of my life. You truly made this past year unforgettable.