Happy birthday, little boy…

It’s my Judah’s third birthday today, and I’m reeling at the idea that a whole three years has passed already since I held him, newborn, small and sleepy, in my arms. Today we’re celebrating with cake, smarties, the beach, and small and tall friends and family over for a big hearty dinner (and more cake); there’s a pile of lego in our lounge room for the first time, and much contented fixing is being done…by all of us. And there’s a bedroom strewn with colourful streamers, the floor filled with balloons, and a very excited little boy who’s been singing happy birthday to himself most of the morning.

A big and kinda grown up three years old. And such a loud, comedic, creative, energetic, kind-hearted, joyful tumbling and rough-housing boy - we've been blessed beyond measure.

Do you do something special to celebrate a birthday?

Nat

Grateful #9: What are you thankful for today?

It’s been all sewing systems go here for the last few days, with lots of projects on the go at the same time. I’ve been pulling out my machine once the kids have gone to sleep, and sewing late into the night, with a cup of tea, the warmth of the fireplace, and something lovely for dessert.

What am I sewing? Read on to find out more…

This week I’m grateful for:

Milestones. During the week, my beautiful little second cousin, Mila, turned one. I just love the time around the first birthday; babes are as sweet as sugar, almost walking, chattering away, and loving exploring the world around them.

First birthdays for babies are such an important milestone; yes, it’s a celebration of the first year of their life, an amazingly remarkable year. But it also celebrates the first year that you were a parent (of one, two, three or more); a year of sleepless nights, endless nappies, teething, tumbles. It celebrates first smiles, first teeth, the first laugh, and first steps; and all those nights that you stood silently next to their cot, watching their sweet sleeping face, marvelling at the beauty of this little child that belongs all to you.

It celebrates the year that sees you come into your own as a parent, and honours your confidence, patience, love, tenderness, compassion, gentleness, persistence, and a million other amazing qualities that have flooded your heart since the arrival of this precious babe. It celebrates the fact that your life will never be the same again, which is the most fantastic thing of all.

I was, admittedly, a crying mess on Judah and Lou’s birthdays – not in sadness, but in total gratitude for the lovely little people we’d bought into the world; and we celebrated in a big way to commemorate the wonder of the year that had been.

Today, we’re heading off to Mila’s first birthday party. And to celebrate her special milestone, I’ve been sewing away, attempting a totally handmade box of deliciousness - scalloped bunting to hang in her bedroom, in plums, chocolates and teal; and flying birds to watch from her cot.

There’ll be lots of kids and cake, and a little lady with the sweetest, gentlest nature, at the centre of it all...

What are you grateful for today?

Nat

Ps. Want to play too? Link your Grateful post back to the lovely Maxabella, or feel free to write your grateful list in the comments section below x