Our beautiful baby boy is a baby no more, we really cannot believe where this year has gone, it has been the best and most challenging year of our lives. On his actual birthday (2nd August) we went to work as usual and Noah to daycare, and then at 3pm we went to daycare and shared afternoon tea with the other kiddies. Mark had baked fairy cakes and we also took in Twisties, Pineapple and Grapes for the kids. After that, I drove out to the airport with Noah to pick up Nana and Poppa who were flying down from Hamilton for the weekend. Thursday was quite an emotional day for us remembering the day of Noah's birth this time last year, I certainly watched the clock for most of the morning thinking back to the moment at 10.54am when our beautiful Noah was finally placed in my arms in the birthing pool. Both Mark and I commented this week that once you're a parent, the whole concept of celebrating a birthday becomes so much more than it just being about the individual turning a year older, as it now feels as much a day for us to reflect back on and celebrate the actual day Noah arrived into the world.
On Friday I took the day off work to spend with Noah, Nana and Poppa and the four of us went to the zoo, Noah was quite fascinated with the giraffes, sun bear and birds but as he was in the stroller it was a bit hard for him to see over some of the fences. Nevertheless it was fun to share Noah's first zoo experience with my mum and dad.
Saturday morning was a bit of a rush as we got ready for the big P.A.R.T.Y! Mark took it upon himself to set the standard high by making THE most amazing 1st birthday cake, the Jolly Roger (I have asked him how he thinks he will ever be able to top it next year!). Nana helped with the icing, and preparing food for the party while Poppa was kept busy with vacuuming, sweeping and blowing up lots of balloons!
Noah decided to throw a spanner in the works by refusing to go to sleep before the party (albeit we were being a bit optimistic in attempting a nap an hour earlier than usual) so it was Poppa to the rescue and out they went for an hour's walk in the stroller so that Noah would be fresh for the party. Thanks Poppa!
At around midday 30 odd people descended on us including seven babies... eek! Luckily we had some people arrive earlier and some later but for about an hour it was pretty chaotic but fun all the same! Noah was given lots of very cool presents and it was so very special to share his 365th day on the planet with all the people who mean the most to us here in NZ.
Sunday morning dawned lovely and clear so we went to the duckpond with Nana and Poppa and Noah was totally in his element. We took some bread crusts (left over from the fairy bread from the party) to feed the ducks but apparently we weren't the only ones so the ducks weren't too interested in eating.... Noah on the other hand made quick work of the crust we gave him to throw to the ducks, at least it got put to good use!
This afternoon we were debating whether or not to give Noah one of his birthday presents that we hadn't gotten around to opening yet. We bought him a 2 tent/tunnel contraption that you can crawl between. Well he absolutely loved it, and a great afternoon was had by all!
At the moment Noah can't get enough of Hairy McLary and Scarface Claw (which we gave him for his birthday). He will actually go to the bookcase full of his books and specifically pick out those two books to be read to. And not just once, you have to read them over and over. Poppa suggested hiding them for a month as I think he got a bit sick of hearing the same two stories all weekend but I think I actually quite like the fact Noah's got his favourite books, it's real cute!
Well where to from here? What will the next year bring for us and Noah? Without a doubt there will be joy, challenges, fun, learning, laughter, and tears but more than anything I will be praying that we continue to share precious and memorable family times together... we can't ask for more than that!
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