Dear Quinn: Turning one

Dear Quinn,

Today is your first birthday, and as I write this you are fast asleep on me. All worn out from your family birthday party.

The first photo was taken in the hospital and this is now...

I have no idea, none, ningún idea where the last year has gone. It has been the fastest year ever. I feel like I've blinked and suddenly you are this toddling, inquisitive gorgeous little treasure.

As we thought you would, you took your first steps last weekend and are now toddling along, Jed gets very excited when you do and shouts "look people he's walking". So cute.

I'm asked all the time what it's like having two and the truth is you are an absolute sweetheart, so chilled out and happy. You seem to be so pleased with your little world, you smile so easily and wholeheartedly. The way you grin when you see me is something I will always be grateful for.  

Like I said, you've started toddling and you are so pleased when you do but you are still such a speedy crawler. You can sense the gate being left open a mile off and you are straight out of there and up the stairs as quick as you can. You know you are being cheeky because when we follow you, you grin back at us and then try to speed up. Ooh, I must say though, thank you for starting to walk before I went back to work, I didn't want to miss it and used to get sad just thinking about it. 

You like turning the pages of books. You love tidying things away, like today, you liked putting your presents back into the bags and putting some ducks you got into another box etc, so sweet. Your favourite thing though is posting items over the side of your cot, books, toys, you name it, you think it's so funny. 

You have been so determined to walk and since you started toddling you then started clapping the next day too. I can't wait to see all the things you are going to learn. 

You love taking off your socks and leaving them everywhere, but if I ask you where they are you'll go and get one for me. I swear today you even signed socks when I asked you.

You are so easy going, Jed will often grab toys off you or play a bit roughly or squeeze you a little too hard when kissing you, he does so love to kiss and cuddle you, his latest thing is leaning over you in your highchair and "kissing Quinn's soft head" and you seem to take it all in your stride. Grumbling occasionally, but not as much as you'd expect and just moving on in a heartbeat. 

Today has been a really nice chilled out day seeing family. It started with you sleeping through the night, yay you! And me waking at exactly 7:01, which was when you were born, how cool is that.

Early morning selfie...

We've opened presents, you received some lovely things, Jed even let you play with some of them 😊  there was food (probably the highlight of your day) and cake, loads of smiles, giggles, a tear or two (yours when we had to shut the gate to stop you going up the stairs and one or two of mine, when Daddy was drying you after your bath and we were saying about you being one, it's just so crazy!)

I made you take a lot of photos today, sorry, but I do so love capturing the memories. We even recreated the photo that Lila took just after we'd brought you home last year.

I hope you've had a lovely day sweetheart and as fun a year as we've had. We are very grateful to have you in our lives.

Love always,

Mummy x