3 years ago I wrote about a lovely New Year tradition of popping a daily gratitude note in a jar. E was just turning 2 and I started with such enthusiasm. Life became a bit busy and the habit slipped after just a few months. The jar remained, gathering dust behind the herbal teas and last year I found it. How I wish I’d kept it up. It’s been so lovely remembering these delightful moments, especially finding the photos that retell their story! My absolute favourite note was:
Telling E he lived in my tummy before he was born…”Yes, when I was a snack”.
We might be two months into a new year but it’s never too late to start is it!
- Crickley Hill walk with friends and their dog
- feeding the cows with E at a friends farm
- coming home from work to find G downstairs and E upstairs. G said ‘‘He’s just doing his own thing” (hiding and watching phone videos of himself)
- playing peekaboo behind trees in the rain and E eating king prawns and chips afterwards
- E’s very sincere ”thank you” when he hands you things… like mouthfuls of yoghurt while sat in his boat (a box)
- E saying ”Squircle” when I asked what shape we should make the track
- Daddy day – G teaching E to say ‘‘thanks” because his very sweet ”fank you” sounds like something else!
- tidal wave splashes in the bath – seeing the funny side when E says ”like rain”
- E copying ”oh my word” with such expression and sleeping longer stretches at night
- E and his friend R giggling at balloons being blown up and let off
- Kindness of strangers – an elderly gentleman I see at the swimming pool giving me a very generous”token for E” for his birthday
- E reading ”The places you’ll go” to himself in his cosy corner
- Appreciation of being a two parent family and making a great team
- Mummy day – going to the spa, blogging, time with G
- E enjoying his books so much – heart melting
- E jabbing blue berries with a fork while saying ”Boo”
- Papa G and Nanny coming to visit – E sticking, playing and chuckling
- Bimbling round the Quays, having a nice lunch in Portivo lounge and having a sleepy cuddle with E
- ”Euan’s turn on the toilet”… E sat for a minute then put the toddler seat on his head
- Video of E saying ”Oh no, it’s rubbish” in a Northern accent
- Toddler world birthday party for E and having friends round for tea
- Going to the Play farm with cousin Zac, excitement at cake and blowing out candles
- Cuddles on the sofa and E falling asleep on me now he’s napping less
- Nana’s birthday – E so happy and curious at out our meal out
- ”Get in… Get out…Get in ….Get out” – E giggling directions to me, Nana and Grandad as we all hid in his ‘den’ (under his duvet)
- First wee (and a bit of spray!) on the potty
- E’s excitement at ”go see Dadda drilling”. Thankful for such a handy husband.
- Going to the bathroom to find E sat on the mat taking his own socks and trousers off
- My birthday – cinema with G, tea at Zizzi’s, E to bed early after a no nap day, Epsom salts bath and in bed by 9.30pm!
- Visit to the dentist confirmed E has all his teeth. Really brave despite being spooked by the big chair. ‘‘Don’t want to” to dentist counting his teeth but enticed by stickers
- Excited E helping with the washing up ”this one hot, this one cold”
- E dancing with Milo, cuddles, seeing his friend Noah
- Being woken up by E singing ”Row, Row, Row your boat. If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream. Aaaargh”
- Dancing at a friends birthday party, getting to the allotment even though it was clear out shed day
- E popping balloons at a friends house
- Going shopping and E saying ”I want to go up the eskimo” (meaning escalator)
