I couldn’t very well let this day pass without writing about it.
As I sit here drafting this blog post, I look back at the last twelve months in awe, shock, fading terror and sheer amazement.
Today is my son’s first birthday. The birthday celebration for a little boy we thought we might never have.
So I’ll keep this post short. Less is more and my family deserve my time today, tomorrow and for the rest of Elliot’s first birthday week.
I could write about how much this sweet young lad means to me.
How I can still remember back to the time before he arrived but I don’t ever want to. How I can see my wife’s features plastered across his beaming infant face and I adore him for it. How he chats away before me, talking nonsense and gobbledygook, yet I understand every word, especially when he says “Dada”.
I could write about the past year’s rollercoaster of events.
How we’ve hurdled minor barriers and fought our own struggles – from losing beloved pets to facing unexpected work challenges and unwanted health issues. And all this time, a tiny, tender soul watches us without judgement, growing rapidly in front of our eyes as he changes from a heavily-swaddled baby to a vivacious wee boy.
I could write about the things Elliot has given to this family.
How we rush into his room in the early morning like two kids hurrying to open their Christmas presents. How we miss him at night when he’s fast asleep in his bed, when the house becomes quiet, both a blessing and a shame. How six hours spent in daycare feel like eight, nine or ten. And when Thursday rolls around and his week at daycare is over, how excited we are to spend time with him again.
I could talk about his first birthday party on Sunday.
How it was the party to end all parties where he wasn’t well and how he cried. How he screamed and then he howled, how he refused to eat and couldn’t sleep. How the day felt like a drunken memory, the kind you cringe at and want to forget but you can’t quite remember everything anyway.
How he made such a grand entry to this party, soiling his pants as I carried him into the restaurant through the front door. Nappy overflowing, newly purchased trousers leaking, the right arm of my fancy new shirt staining, a distinctly strange smell in the restaurant followed by the patrons quickly clearing.
In all this carry on and hoo-hah, I looked at his small red face, all tear-streaked and blotchy, nose running, hair messed-up, wearing a mix of stylish shirt and bedtime onesie. And the overwhelming love I felt for this beautiful addition to our family swelled through me, threatening to consume and to overtake.
This is a love that I neither wanted once upon a time nor expected. A love for a miniature person of our own making that is both inexplicable yet also makes perfect sense. But I won’t talk anymore about these things today because this one day is about one person and one thing.
My precious son and his very first birthday.
Happy birthday dear Elliot from Mummy and Daddy for we love you and we love you and we love you x
Ah, you old softy. Happy birthday Elliot.
Aww, cue the tears 🙂 Well done, Dad. My best to Elliot and Sarah.
Lol. Thanks. Both are very happy after a lovely afternoon by the beach. I’ll give him an extra squeeze from you 🙂
I know. I can’t help myself. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Thanks Aisha. Lovely that the first three comments are from my three longest serving supporters so thank you 🙂 Elliot definitely just gets better and better.
Careful! I still remember what happened last time you did that!
😉
a lovely post to an obviously adorable little boy.
Thanks both. Very adored 🙂
Hi Russell
What a gorgeous post! Just dropping by to wish you all fun at Elliot’s Birthday Party today.
Wanna know the good news from an old-hand Mum? You’ve got this year, next year and possibly the year after that he won’t remember what happens at his birthday party so enjoy to the max!!!
Oh and in future years, never offer Elliot a rollerblade party. I still remember the trauma from ensuring that 12 ten year olds are returned to their parents in one piece. I made them eat two lots of birthday cake and sing happy birthday in every language we knew, to stop them getting back out on their rollerblades and breaking an arm or leg!!
Congratulations to you all on having a wonderful first year as a family.
Wren x
Thanks Wren. And for the sage advice! I shall avoid the rollerblade parties for the foreseeable future. That said, everything Elliot has been given includes wheels and involves him wobbling recklessly around the house. I see trouble ahead! And only three years before he forgets his birthday parties? Better enjoy it now then 🙂