A little person turns 1

Today was Benjamin's real birthday.

It's hard to believe that was a year ago: so far yet not far at all, that he was born, that he was a 'tiny' 9lb 10.5oz newborn. I remember most of it, the labour, the pushing, the warm, wet baby with the brown spot on his chest. It didn't feel the same as when I had Hannah. It was calmer, happier, less intense. Still intense, but less so. He was born, and I put Andrew on duty right away. I was going to sleep. And little Ben slept so well, that little brown baby.

He would cry when sister held him or manhandled him. He still does, but less than he used to. It's their thing. He smiles a lot more when she plays with him now.

He is becoming such a little person. There's something about the walking that makes him seem so much more like a little boy, rather than a baby.

Andrew was sweeping the floor. Ben grabbed the child's broom we have, and went to help him sweep. Though Andrew discouraged Ben playing in the dirt pile, I was so pleased to see him imitating us.

Ben was throwing the ball and balloon in the living room. He spun around a few times, then continued walking. He went and got Hannah's water bottle, drank out of it, and replaced it in a different location, upright. Multiple times.

A little person.

First thing this morning, I gave the kids yogourt to keep them busy. Turned into a huge mess. Had to take a shower with Ben, who had pear yogourt dripping down his head and pajamas. Naughty sister! She jumped in the bath too. When we returned to the kitchen, she even helped clean the floor at my request.

We went to the park today. He loves the swing. It was so warm out, none of us wore coats. Maybe 15C, but sunny too. We saw a blue heron. Ben ran around in the pebbles a bit.

He napped well. We napped together from 12-2, then he slept again from 4:30-5:30.

Hannah fell asleep too, after that excursion to the park. I had nursed Ben in the bed to lay him down. It was really quiet in the rest of the house when I came out of my room. I found Hannah in the bathroom, light on and door closed, sitting on the toilet. I asked if she needed help, a wipe or something. She said no. So I let her be. 10 minutes later, she was still silent in the bathroom.

She had fallen asleep on the toilet. She was slumped forward, chest to knees, hair hanging down, snoring a little. Naked bum still hovering over the bowl. Lest she fall forward and have a nasty wake-up with that unwiped bottom, I gave her a gentle wipe and helped her to bed. She napped.

I woke her up to go to Andrew's rock event this evening, so she could see Nanny. She managed to get a little excited about it as we got in the car, but once again, fell asleep. Poor thing.

Why was she up til 10, and Ben til 11:15? Because that's how it works in our house. We didn't even eat proper family meals today. I made crepes for breakfast, but Andrew and I ate most of them, standing. Hannah had none. Ben had a broken one, which he jammed in his face walking around the kitchen. We listened to the oldies and slowly made them all.

Cathie came by yesterday, admiring the Benjamin on our front door. She even took a picture, I guess she'll show her daughter.

And Ben. Oh Ben. He has this trick, where he sticks out his tongue. The person he's with, me, I copy him. Then he tries to grab my tongue. Ha, ha, Benjamin.

He was even smiling in the mirror today, like, a normal child's smile, not the baby's open mouth joy face.