Birthday Celebrations

We all know that the 1^st birthday celebrations are more for the parents than the child that is actually turning 1. And while this was defiantly the case you sure did love the extra attention and the space/freedom of the venue where we held the party.

With everything being based around your love of making Native American noises (patting hand over the mouth) the party took on a Wild West/Cowboy and Indian feel. Your invites were based on a wanted poster, I made you a tepee and everyone Native American headdresses (as party hats). I sourced props for the tables and cake along with decorations for the café/grounds.

We borrowed some toys from the toy library and along with some of your toys you and your friends had such a good time. You especially loved pushing your little lion around and around the courtyard. I played a few games with the older children while the adults chatted and looked on at all the fun everyone was having.

And while it gave us a chance to spend some time our family and friends and thank them for sharing and supporting us over the last year. The highlight was simply watching you have a wow of a time. Oh how I wish you would be able to remember the day.

12mths - Not a baby anymore

Dear William

This month has been a little more full/busier than normal what with preparation of your birthday party and me going back to work in an office on a casual basis one day a week and paper work for Ezy Kids Parties and the odd party/function. But a lot of the busyness was the preparation for your BIG 1st birthday party; more about that latter.

This month’s first milestone was you drinking and tipping your sippy cup without assistance. While it may seem like an odd milestone to mention it’s been great as you indicate when you’re thirsty by pointing at it or if it’s in reach you’ve been helping yourself. While you have mastered the sippy style drink cups/bottles you’re a little confused by the straw style ones as to why you don’t get anything out of them when you tip and suck.

While it’s not a favourite game of yours you have started to enjoy the odd game of peek-a-boo. One particular night I threw the towel over your head while I was dressing you and you quickly pulled it down and when I said BOO, you pulled it up again and we contained this until the game became boring. It was rather cute especially when your eye lashes were still wet and you were looking all cute and clean.

As I mentioned before I went back to work in an office this month! While we have been noticing your reaction to separation it was defiantly noticed this month. First day of leaving you at home for a full day, you must have known something was up as I said good bye to you and your Dad (while you were eating breakfast) your face started to turn from a satisfied look to a look of sheer terror followed closely by many tears. Apparently the crying and tears didn’t last long as you were distracted by food. But on my return oh boy was I showered with hugs. A week and a half later (the 3rd time I left you all day) at 9:30 I received a call from your Dad reporting in that you had for the first time said MUM MUM MUM. Oh how my heart quickly sank, but I didn’t let it worry me as I knew I would soon be hearing it for myself. Sure enough not long after I arrived home that night I opened the fridge door to start preparing dinner for you; only to hear MUM MUM MUM, such music to my ears. While I’ve only worked 3 whole days so far we have found that what will be 1-2 days a week will work really well and be good for all concerned. Most times I will work Friday and either your Dad you’re his parents will look after you. Not a lot will be accomplished this day but my mind is at ease knowing that you will be well looked after and you will form special bonds with all.

The week that we decided to join you up with a talent agent (model/TV/movie roles) I took you to have your first hair cut. While your hair is slowly getting longer and thicker it was starting it look a little dishevelled especially in the mornings. So before we went into see the agent I took you for a quick little trim around the ears just to give you a cleaner look. While it wasn’t a fantastic cut (you kept moving to look at what the hairdresser was doing) it defiantly gave way to your facial features taking centre stage.

Ever since you started with the Native American noises I decided to make you a tepee that I’ve wanted to make ever since I first saw one at our friends place many years ago. This quickly turned into the idea to make it for your birthday which was fast approaching! So for one-two months I have been Googling patterns and pictures, sourcing/buying fabric, measuring, cutting and sewing. Ahhh but more about the tepee and your birthday celebrations, in the next post.

Practising doing a Native American noise

By the end of the month you have lost your appetite for almost everything other than Vita Brixs, toast/bread and fresh/dried fruit. Originally I thought it had to do with the gastro bug you picked up but as the week/month closed and 2-3 weeks latter your still not eating much of anything else I suspect it has to do more with the teeth that seem to be troubling you. With your 5th tooth cutting trough as the month rolled by and others close behind I suspect that this appetite you have will continue for a few more weeks yet.

Eatting fruit - who me? I'm not eatting anything

As much as I’ve been looking forward to taking you to the aquarium for your birthday the day came upon me with a little apprehension. We started the day off with milk in bed as you arose a little earlier than normal and somewhat grumpy (teeth I suspect). When you had finished milk and a quick little nap (1-1.5hrs latter) you sat up and then laid on top of me and gave me a hug and kiss. You may or may not have meant any of it BUT it made my morning and defiantly made me feel special and it felt like you thanked me for the past year. Once you had breakfast we joined some of our friends for coffee/breakfast (Jess, Priya, Mel, Sarah, Theresa, Eli, Andrea and Griffin) before moving onto the aquarium with Mel and Sarah. The penguins were defiantly the highlight of the visit with the big fish (sharks/stingrays), big bright fish and jelly fish a close second. The day finished with your Dad and me singing happy birthday to you at 6:11pm with tears in my eyes.

Reaction to seeing the penguins

Below are some things we got up to this month.
• 49 weeks – Drinking from a sippy cup by yourself and play peek-a-boo.
• 49.5 weeks – Cut 3rd Tooth
• 50.5 weeks – Family trip to the footy
• 51 weeks – Cut 4th Tooth , 1st hair cut and signed up to a model/film etc agent.
1st time I left you for a whole day
• 12mths – Started saying Mum and cut 5th tooth.
We made it my sweet little boy! Your now one and not a baby any more, oh but don’t worry you will always be my baby boy no matter how old you are. Love you more today than yesterday and I promise to love you more and more each and every day.

Last photos as a 11mth old

Last photos as a 11mth old - chasing me while I'm trying to take photos

Last photos as a 11mth old

As you are now past the ‘baby’ months this will be my last monthly post. Posts will now move onto something less or more frequent as we enjoy special moments or I have something that I would like to share with you (that I hope one day you will read).

Happy Birthday William may the year ahead be filled much more joy and happiness than you have already given me.