Almost One

Dear Sterling,

Your almost one year old and every day your less like a baby and more like a toddler. Two weeks ago a light inside you switched on and you realised you could move around if you wanted too. You've been army crawling with great skill since. Although your army crawl looks very much like a swim stroke it makes me think you are the water baby I suspect you to be.

This first year has gone by fast and some days slow, actually at just the right pace. I'm so thankful I've gotten to spend your first year with you every day. We have found out groove and you have been a patient and kind baby. You have not been a upset often you've mainly been very relaxed and happy. There was only one day when you were 4 months that you cried for an hour strait I have no idea why. But other then that you've been easily soothed and comforted which has been amazing! Your the unicorn or babies, not sure how I got so lucky.

This year your Mom and Dad have grown into our rolls as parents. You and Dad are best friends, you think he is very funny and interesting. He makes you laugh all the time. You can not sleep if Dad is around because you think he's just the life of the party sometimes at 3 am you wake up and roll onto your tummy and start talking to Daddy asleep next to you. I have to convince you that Dad is a asleep and so should you. Your pretty easily convinced but it's very sweet the bond you two share.

Your best buddy is Cooper P. You guys like to chat about your Dads you also like to pull Coopers hair which he takes very well and only gives you a determined look, I think he's waiting for your hair to grow in so watch out. Your a major flirt and love chatting with the ladies and a sucker for a pretty smile. Yesterday we went out to lunch with Uncle Emilio and while Dad and Uncle Emilio went to order a man across the room made a funny face at you so you stuck out your tongue and made a face back.

You love to play with the stuffed cats we have you purr at them and very delicately pull their furs out one by one. We want to get a cat this year so I have a feeling you might not be doing that with a real cat shortly.

Your favourite foods are noodles of any kind, banana, vegimite toast, strawberries and blueberries. You love all fruit and would eat a 100% fruit and noodle diet if I let you.

Your Nana, Grandpa, Poppy, Grandma, Pop,  Aunt Hannah and Uncle Simon are all flying to Perth to be here for your Birthday! You have really brought our little family together. Your having a birthday party with the theme of wild birds because you love all birds! To the extent that if you see a model bird at the shops you point at it and want it. We have a growing bird collection at home.

We love you Sterling, I can't wait to see all the new things the coming year will bring!
Love - Mommy

Joy

Joy. Its been such a joy. He is such a joy.
I say this a lot. Having Sterling with us has changed our lives. As I expected it would. I really wanted to have a baby, for me.. for my husband, for my parents and my in-laws. For our family.

What I wasn't expecting was how much joy our baby would bring others, I knew yeah... there would be joy and all the cuddles and snuggles and gooey things that come with having a baby. But I have been caught way off guard by the joy.

The joy Sterling brings others is one of my favourite things about being his Mom. Yes he brings me and Graham lots of joy daily but he seems to touch everyone he is in contact with. Watching him with my parents, with my husbands family, that is joyous. But even just walking down the street Sterling is bringing the joy. I've seen him brighten the day of strangers in the shops, of people walking past. His charm has helped his Mom out of a few jams already too.

Sometimes I think all parents must feel like this. But goodness. We have an ocean of joy at our house. Its spills out of our lives and into the lives of others. I think its the best gift I have ever witnessed.

Heres my joy... enjoying a bath outside.