Dear Jacob, On Your First Birthday

Dear Jacob, 

On your first Birthday I have to say, you turned my world upside down from the moment you arrived … obviously in a good way.

While pregnant with you I was thrilled and terrified at having my third baby, was I too old? Could I cut it with a newborn again? 

You soon answered my questions with your knowing looks and a face that told me you had been here before. 

Out of all 3 of my babies you were the most stubborn and yet still so very funny, with your obsession with napping on my lap and your complete disgust over feeding yourself in those early months of weaning. 

Fiercely determined is your daily motto, you never take no for an answer and you will achieve what you want to achieve come hell or high water … even if that means you make Mummy cross when you throw your food at the floor.

Your little funny ways have us all in stitches and no one more so than your brother.

Joshua is your hero and you love nothing more than following him round or waiting patiently for him to sing you songs or play games with you. I have no doubt you would follow him to the moon and back and him you. It has been such a privilege to see you both bonding and building up your relationship. I can see that in the future I am going to be outnumbered as you both are becoming loyal and steadfast friends that will fight each others corners! 

I have joked over the last few months that when Joshua reaches his final year in primary and you start your first, I can envisage being called up to school over you taking on a much bigger kid that was picking on Joshua … I have no doubt out of the two of you, he is my sensitive little soul and you are my fiercely independent warrior but I am just glad I have some time yet before you reach school to tame your inner beast! 

So far you have been a baby with few words compared to your siblings. You are only just finding your voice and most of that has been copying sounds, obviously when you can be bothered … that is. I have only once heard you say Mama and aim it in my direction but I know you know that’s who I am. 

The last year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me coming to terms with having no more children and trying to cherish every single second of your little life so far. So not only am I sad that this first year has gone by so very quickly I am immensely excited to see what you get up to next…. Although learning what no means would be amazingly helpful? 

I make you this promise little man, I will love you till the end of all time and I will be the one cheering you on from the sidelines, no matter what you decide to do in life .. oh and never ever stop laughing … your laugh can melt even the hardest of hearts.

Happy Birthday my littlest man.

Love

Mummy