And then he was ... ONE

 "When I was one, I had just begun." A.A. Milne

How true this is and yet how much life and growing has been packed into 12 months.

How did this happen? How is it that our squishy newborn is now a chubby, mischievous one year old? (also how is it that he is now thirteen months old an I am only just getting around to writing this?)

 

One year old and what a character he has become. We always thought he would be a busy, mischief maker and he certainly is that, and so much more. Our little (not so little) outdoor loving, tomato munching, chicken loving, chubby, chatterbox got to celebrate his birthday on two days (not that he really cared less). 

 

He received gifts and a cake made by his uncle on his birthday and then all the good stuff (mummy and granny's food making) came out on Saturday for a relaxed morning tea with his mates, mothers group, and the people who have been our village over the last twelve months. 

He loved playing, wouldn't sit still for a photo and didn't like the cake. A pretty successful 1st birthday, if I do say so myself. 

Our little munchkin has certainly grown and changed over the last few months and I can see the final vestiges of babyhood slipping away and a little boy emerging, and a little boy he certainly is. Some things haven't changed like his love for chasing the chooks around, although these days he is fast enough to lay a hand on them quite regularly. The poor dears tolerate it quite well and haven't lost feathers too him, yet.

...

So my little possum ...

We've certainly learned and grown together over the last twelve months. You may have "just begun" but you certainly entered this world with a bang and embraced it, exploring everything around you. There have been sleepless nights and sleepy cuddles, worries and joyful giggles. You have fit so much into your first year from camping trips to a beach holiday, from flying to driving, from farm to city and the middle of nowhere.

You are definitely more vocal in your likes and dislikes theses days and they are wide a varied too. It is now a guessing game for mummy and daddy as to what it is you want or are complaining about. You surprise us all the time with new things you can do. 

Here are some of the infinite (sometimes quirky) things we know (and love) about you:

You love so many things like cars and trucks and all things wheels. You'll always eat the cherry tomatoes on your plate, a food that has definitely superseded cheese, and it is hit and miss whether you will eat sandwiches and toast. You will pretty much eat anything we give you, especially if it involves pasta. You like your cows milk "bot bot" when mummy goes to work at night and only have boobie morning, noon and night now. Unpegging washing from the clothes horse and just play with pegs in general keeps you entertained for ages. You also love collecting random things from cupboards and draws to play with, particularly from the kitchen. You still love power points, remotes, keys and anything else we don't want you to play with and disagree strongly when we have other ideas about you playing with them.You have a variety of music you like to listen to from 'The Duck Song' to 'Lay It All On Me', 'Cats In The Cradle', 'Take Me Home, County Roads' and 'Shut Up And Dance'. Your happy place is outside and so understandably you absolutely love going camping. You've been quite a few times in your young life, the latest being to Emu Creek just before your birthday. 

You have picked up on daddy's game of "duck. duck, goose" and love bopping people on the head, loudly proclaiming "duck, duck, duck". You can do a good monkey impersonation like daddy too. You also like to put your finger in your mouth then pull it out and say "ahhh". No idea how that one started. You also know the pattern to eating then hand washing, sticking your hands out to be washed when we go for the washer and you request to get out of the bath and know that the plug has to come out and the we need your towel. Actually that is something you don't seem to like so much these days but maybe you are just too busy to waste time in a bath. You still love swimming lessons and going under the water but the dots haven't connected yet when it comes to kicking. You like waving "bye, bye" or "later", not just to people you know but to complete strangers in the shops.

You like building towers with the mega blocks and can do it yourself with the single ones. You also love putting toys in things, throwing balls, putting balls in the ball run and playing with kitchen things. You are often content to play alone but you prefer it if someone sits down on the floor with you.

You are able to stand up while not holding on and have started to occasionally try taking a step or two. You have twelve, yes 12!!!, teeth. You try using forks and spoons but they usually get abandoned for fingers. You can say a fair few words like Mum, Dad, Granny, Grandad, Great Grandad, cow, star, dog, fish, see you "later", bye bye, truck, car, this and duck. You mostly sleep through the night and if you wake up it is only once in the middle of the night, looking for your dummy.

You can be so serious and give the best stare when seeing new people or ones you aren't sure of but you can also be so open and happy to cuddle and play. You are often unsure of the unfamiliar but sometimes surprise us by just going for it. 

You are our ratbag, our possum, our mischief maker.

We can't imagine life without you.

Milestones

This past week has been one of milestones.

My birthday sunrise, before work.

Thursday was my birthday, the big 3 0.

How an earth did that happen?

I am sure my mother is having the same thoughts at having a 30yr old daughter.

I think I've been a bit worried about reaching this age milestone but now I've leapt over that fence, it really is just another number.

Actually, it was a pretty non eventful day with just work, where I did get a little spoilt and get cake (which was needed after a morning of 12 toddler cyclones in the room), and antenatal class. It was over in the blink of an eye. 

I am hoping for a great year ahead and for another awesome 30 to follow filled with fun, family, growth, joy, new experiences and much more.

Saturday saw me reach 30 weeks.

Yet again, how an earth did that happen?

This whole pregnancy is speeding by.

30weeks

This week I also managed to be awake for the sunrise a few mornings AND to get out for photos at the lookout on Lake Morris/ Copperlode Dam road on Friday morning.

How exciting, the sun was actually out! 

Obviously, as per usual, I don't have a life beyond work (51 hours + travel this week) so the small things turn into big things. When I actually realise how many hours I've done between both jobs, I guess my tiredness is justified.

It was nice to get out and enjoy the quiet of the morning.

I better enjoy this while I can.

Speaking of which, 30 weeks means the paperwork for my parental leave from my night fill job has been handed in. End date in sight!

Thursday night we headed off to our second antenatal class, Mr Sparky under duress. I might have had a bit of a bit of freak out about not being ready for all this during and after class but a good nights sleep and this sunrise helped to put that behind me.

Sometimes I way overthink things. Well if you listen to Mr Sparky, it is more like all the time.

But hey, how could a view like this not sooth worries.

A bonus was that because of the recent rain the little waterfall on this road was flowing, not a lot but still pretty to see.

Friday was a day off for me, not that I did much other than washing and paperwork and of cause my little sunrise drive. I did have to go to work that night though. What a way at wreck a day off.

I just pretend my birthday was extended for a day so that I got to spend it more how I wanted to rather than at work like I did.

29 weeks + 6 days - me and my chins and my lens in my back pocket.

What do you like to do on your days off or days alone?

Any milestones coming up for you?

A Big One

We've had a birthday in our house this week, a big one.

The big 30.

It wasn't mine (thank goodness, not ready for that just yet). 

Mr Sparky has now left the 20s and entered the new world of the 30s.

As he said 'so much has happened in his life in the last few years, so much has changed'. I dare say more changes will happen over the coming years. He wouldn't be living life if there weren't.

I did assure him in his Birthday card that he was just becoming a 'classic'.

We did discuss a few weeks ago how old 30 seemed when we were kids. Now, it doesn't seem that old after all, I guess.

I ended up working on his birthday, both day and night, so he had a pretty quiet day. I was home early enough to finish off the very important choc mint Birthday cake and to cook him the steak and chips requested for dinner. 

 Nothing all that exciting for his 30th it seems. 

I think he has 'going out' plans for this weekend, with mates. 

 

Head Space

I've been going to write a post all week and still it hasn't happened.

I haven't been in the right head space to or something like that. This past week has just been horrid. It certainly hasn't had much going for it and finding good parts has been a challenge. I hope this coming week is an improvement, wouldn't be hard really.

I don't think I should moan on about it. You'd probably find out way more than you need to know, as today is certainly leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

There of cause were good parts to the week. There always are. My student's have been fabulous although quiet after my last crazy group. I caught a few sunrises to refresh me for the day. I find if I get out, especially after limited sleep, I feel a lot less tired and better able to face the day. I got to have an immediate family catch up, with my very spread out family, using various types of technology. Dinner was ready when I got home on Monday night, something I always appreciate after a day at Nova and when I have to turn around and do four hours night work afterwards. Not cooking dinner in the middle is such a relief. 

I'll leave you now with one of those sunrises from during the week, Thursday morning in fact.

You'll be glad to know that another chat with family has brightened my day. I rang my sister, Sis C, for her birthday. Quarter of a century! Happy Birthday, Sis C! I even got a hello or seven, a story about everyone who saw Sis G's photo (Aunty G) and then multiple goodbyes from my niece. Nothing like two year old cuteness and enthusiasm (and her mother repeatedly saying 'no' throughout the conversation). Can't wait to see her soon, hopefully in about a month.

Wishing you a wonderful coming week. I know mine will be busy but hopefully good.