The warrior's guide to survival

Dearest Darling I need to blog more, you’re learning new tricks all the time, and there’s always some I’ve forgotten. This week you amazed me by taking three steps one day, then two the next, and then…you decided that crawling is the best option and refused to even be tricked into bi-legged mobility. We shall see what next week brings! This week you’ve not only been suffering a nasty cough and cold but you’ve managed to push another tooth out and develop an interest in bushes. Yes, bushes. I suppose it’s nice to have an interest. Bless ya. The buds are just starting to grow again so we can watch how the trees and bushes spring into life over the next few months and by autumn you will be walking and we can pick blackberries together. I forgot to mention last week that you can blow bubbles in the bathwater. Don’t ask me why, but I just know that is an incredibly clever thing for a one year old to do. And you help me undress you by lifting each leg as I ask, but as for napp...

Darling Son I've been meaning to write to you again so that we can both remember the momentous leaps and bounds that you are making in this world. Since you turned One you seem to be getting funnier and cleverer every day. Your skill set improves exponentially each week. You have learnt to shake your head for no. This you do, with much hilarity, before proceeding to do what you are not supposed to, like chewing the edges of your book, dropping food on the floor or touching your Grandad's DVD player. I am not much help in honing this skill for you because every time you do it I find it impossible not to laugh at the cuteness of it all. Your first word was Mummy, you have been saying this since you were only eight months old but last week you came out with "oh dear" and then "dear dear". Which makes me wonder how often I’m saying it. From you though my dear it is heartbreakingly lovely to hear, your own very first phrase, and I am so proud. You ha...