A Very Special Day | Just Add Ginger

I've said it before and I'll say it again - when you have a baby you can never have plans, only ideas. Whenever you need to go out or be somewhere things never run smoothly - there will be an unexpected nappy change, a sleeping child, a forgotten change of clothes.... it's always just best to set yourself up for the day with the best intentions and then just wing it as you go. 

And this was so true for Eric's birthday. Falling on Easter Monday and our wedding anniversary we wanted to do something super-special to mark the occasion. So it was decided that - weather permitting - we would head off to Chester Zoo for the day. 

Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans. With snow being threatened for the Easter weekend we woke up instead on the morning of E's birthday to rain pelting it down from the sky. Ordinarily this wouldn't stop us from heading out, but we knew that in reality there was no feasible way we could make going to the zoo work. The animals would undoubtedly want to find shelter, Eric couldn't toddle about and he wouldn't be able to see too much from the pushchair with the rain cover on it. 

So instead we had to stay put and spend the day in the house. And this is something I dread. Baby Ginger is so independent now that if we ever have to have a whole day at home we just spend it chasing him round the living room, trying to stop him emptying all the cupboards and hiding things he will inevitable try and eat. However, preempting a day of absolute chaos, the Saturday before Ryan and I decided to pick up some baby-friendly craft supplies so that if our ideas (and patience) started to run thin, we could squeeze in round the dining table and indulge in some mark making, drawing and colouring in. 

In the morning we brought Eric downstairs so that he could open the cards and presents we already had here. Completely confused by the fuss we were making over sheets of brightly coloured paper and envelopes he was more taken with crawling round and playing. Taking the opportunity to exchange our own cards, we all then headed into the kitchen to have a family breakfast, with pancakes on the menu for Eric and mugs of steaming hot coffee for us. 

The hours passed so quickly and it was actually really nice to spend some time together being busy doing nothing. Eric went down for a nap in the latter part of the morning and then Ryan's parents popped round to see the birthday boy and deliver presents. We brought out a little cupcake with a candle on it and sang Happy Birthday and then headed out to visit Ryan's sister, our brother-in-law and niece. Not content with all the food he had already eaten during the day, Eric decided to spend our time there walking round and eating all the food he could spot. 

Seizing the opportunity to snatch some time during the day that was just for us, after the visit we sent Eric off with Ryan's parents for an hour or two, giving us the chance to cook an anniversary meal, eat it in peace, and start the new Murder On The Orient Express, which I had been dying to watch.

Going to the zoo would have been a brilliant day out, but we actually had a really lovely day celebrating our two special occasions. Still - I'm keeping everything crossed for a rain-free day next year. With Eric already a confident walker, if we have to stay in next year we'll probably be trying to coax him down from the curtain pole because he's decided to go for a climb or something! 

Fellow mummies - what did you do for your baby's first birthday?

Eric's One Year Update | Just Add Ginger

It's so strange to think that this time last year I was in my very first week of motherhood. Back then I was still in shock, with a million new questions running through my head every day and jumping at the slightest little snuffling sound.

Fast forward to now and I'm still in shock. I just cannot believe how quickly this past year has gone. When people say 'cherish the first year it goes so quickly' you scoff a little and think 'yeah right' but it really is so true. A couple of weeks ago Ryan and I were putting some of Eric's things into storage and we both got a bit sad. He's not a baby anymore. He's a little boy now. And that is just terrifying to think about.

When it comes to Eric he definitely doesn't conform to any preconceived notion I had of what life was going to be like with a baby. He often disregards the whole concept of having a 'routine' and instead we find ourselves having to adjust times for feeds, naps and activities just so that we can keep up with him. He's constantly on the go, is incredibly independent and hates to be held back. Toys often lay forgotten on the floor because he would rather be investigating the living room, emptying cupboards or reaching for things he knows he shouldn't have.

A good little eater and hardly ever fussy, Eric is on three meals a day, with a bottle of cow's milk in the morning and at bedtime. The Tommee Tippee Prep Machine and steriliser are packed away and soon we will have to start transitioning him on to beakers and cups. 

Nap times are going better and there's peace throughout the night. Baby tantrums have started but we know he doesn't understand why just yet. I say 'no' about twenty times a day and watch The Gruffalo at least once. I chase him round the living room during nappy changes and he still hates getting dressed. He doesn't really care for lots of cuddles during the day but when he starts getting sleepy we will snuggle up together and it is the best feeling in the world. 

The past year of parenthood has been the biggest rollercoaster. But in between the meltdowns and the mistakes it is by far the best thing I've ever done. Eric is both a little treat and a little tinker and I wouldn't change him at all. 

To hear more about Eric's first year, from favourite foods to foot size, give the video below a little watch where I go into a lot more detail -