We had a lovely time yesterday, opening presents from Mummy, Daddy and Birdie; singing "Happy Birthday" at every possible opportunity; taking the new tricycle to the park; eating cake; and having chips at the pub for tea. Mummy and Daddy even finished the day toasting our beautiful boy with a glass or two of champagne after the kids were safely tucked up in bed.
It was a wonderful, exciting and happy day and I have tons of photos that I could share. However, none of them were "ordinary" moments in the sense I'm trying to capture. They were special and worth capturing but I'd rather share pictures of the kids "just being". I won't struggle to remember Mr Man's first birthday, whether I blog about it or not as the landmark events stay fairly clear. But the day after, when my daughter announced that she couldn't wear clothes because she was a mermaid (a mermaid who, the eagle-eyed amongst you will note, can wear shoes), when she tried to take off her brother's pyjamas ("because he wants to get dressed and I'm helping him") and when she carefully arranged everyone so that they could watch Mike the Knight together (apparently inflatable rabbits are big fans) before trying to get her brother to compete in a hopping race on the rabbits even though he can't yet walk.
That's the kind of day I need to capture for the Ordinary Moments. That's the kind of crazy but totally normal if you're a toddler day that I need to capture because, for all it feels like some kind it belongs in some kind of parallel universe, it is in fact a regular and entirely average day in my world right now. As such, there will be hundreds more like them and they will all blur and fade. In fact, often, by the end of the week, I'm talking to someone and I start a story with "Birdie did the most hilarious thing the other day. She was... What was she doing? She was... Well, she said.... Oh, I don't remember... But it was very funny" before looking awkardly at the table and wondering whether I can have more coffee.
So, my lovely little man's birthday is not the moment I'm recording this week. The day after however, could not have been more ordinary if it had tried.
Well first of all Happy First Birthday little man - just where has the last year gone! You're totally right about the ordinary moments being the ones that will fade, and it sounds like you had a wonderfully ordinary day after!
ReplyDeleteWhere indeed? 2013 was a total blur for us; I'm sure it must have felt the same for you. It is one of the reasons I'm trying harder to blog this year - I've forgotten so much about when both of them were small and I look back at the photos and it can be hard to remember the stories that went with them. Facebook helps but I thought it would be nice to make a space where I can go into a bit more detail and can also record a bit more about how I feel as well - I don't feel so inclined to share that on Facebook for some reason.
DeleteHappy First birthday to your little man, my daughter turned one yesterday I feel so emotional. And I completely agree with what you are saying. the ordinary moments are the ones that will fade. A lovely post. x
ReplyDeleteThank you. It does get you kind of choked up doesn't it? Especially when you are fairly certain your family is complete so their firsts are also your lasts, if that makes sense.
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