Happy Birthday Jake!

I have been meaning to post for a couple of weeks now, as I've got quite a few topics that I want to cover. However, the combination of a whole raft of job applications and interviews, combined with a day to day job, my wife spraining her wrist and of course looking after Jake, means that finding time to write has been difficult! Today, I find myself with a spare 15 minutes before my in-laws arrive so I thought I'd put up my birthday message for Jake.

Dear Jake,

I can't believe that a year ago, you were brand new to the world. It seems like a lifetime has passed since that first day when I met you and held you in my arms at the hospital (which I guess it has for you!). It's hard to remember what life was like without you in our lives, or if we ever managed to love someone so much as we love you (which given how much your mum loves her cat is a big achievement!). Even on your most grumpy days, you find ways to make us smile and your infectious laugh and giggles pass onto everyone who hears them.

When you're finally able to read this, you'll find it strange that you had to learn how to sit up, how to smile, how to chatter, how to eat, how to play with toys, how to cuddle and how to shuffle yourself around, all in the space of one year. When I think back to your first weeks at home with us, where you had to be held and cradled at all times and then look at you now, sitting on the floor, playing with toys, scooting over to me for a cuddle, it seems incredible that it's the same person. It's only when I look back at all the pictures that I can truly see the journey that you've been on and just how content you seem with your world around you.

People have said to me that the years seem to go by faster and faster when you have children, but whilst I'm impatient to see what you're going to be like as a little boy and what you'll find interesting about the world, I want you to stay as the little boy whose eyes light up and legs start kicking with excitement each time that I walk into the room.

Your second year will bring even more changes and developments, and your mum and I will be there every step of the way (with a camera and props in hand!) celebrating your achievements.

Happy birthday Buggle, the first of many

Dad