365 days old

It’s already the third attempt of writing the beginning of this post and it is not getting better at all.

Call me silly emotional or hormonal or whatever… But that last year was one of the hardest and coolest in my life. I certainly learned a load of stuff about myself (yes, still can not sing, but Albert doesn’t mind… yet…), spent hundreds of hours thinking “how can anyone in the right state of mind even remotely think about having more than one child” and having millions of laughs seeing my little son exploring the world.

Albert turned one today and today I’m the happiest, proudest and most thankful mum on the earth.

Julian taking over. Bah. The keyboard is all wet.
The last year certainly was a rollercoaster ride. And it went over so fast. Well, the last few months went over fast, the first few were an everlasting, never-ending, infinite eternity of no sleep, bad moods, a lack of understanding and being pushed to limits we didn’t even know existed. But, yeah. What Agnieszka said. About the happiest and proudest and most thankful and so on.

I went home early and we had muffins. Albert’s first! He was a bit skeptic to begin with, but he warmed to them quickly and then didn’t want to stop eating them. Then it was gift-unwrapping time! Gaga got him duplo planes. Because he likes duplo. And planes. Best of both worlds in one giant, red package! Grandma and Grandpa where there, too.

The contents were sifted through and examined thoroughly, and the new favorite toy taken into possession quickly: light blue forklift truck. Myself, I would have gone for the dark blue racing plane, but even better. We both get to play and don’t have to share our favorites. Anyway, Albert was happy.

Then, we went to Stanley Park. We’d bought tickets for the Bright Nights Christmas Train. A highlight, every tourist guide will tell you, that should not be missed. Hm. Huh. Well.

Gaga wanted to see a polar bear. At least that’s done. And of course, the tourist guide didn’t lie, there are millions of lights. So many, in fact, that you’ll start wondering if a truck full of Christmas lights had a horrible crash and spilled its contents all over the place. Not a whole lot there in terms of design and purpose, but it’s so colorful, yay! (To be honest, we didn’t mind. It was almost like Christmas market back home. You know what you’re in for when you go there.)

The train ride was equally kitschy and all the VIPs were there – Santa Clause, the Grinch, Elves and Elvis. Because Elvis should be an integral part of Christmas. He should be written into the Bible. Maybe he can be the Fourth Holy King, and because the others already brought incense, myrrh and gold, he would give Jesus rock’n’roll.

It’s late. Sorry. I think Dracula was there, as well. Don’t know where he’d fit in, though.

Albert was a bit bored of it all after a while. So we left the colorful bling of Bright Nights behind us and rode home. Of course, he fell asleep in the trailer, and could only be pulled back to the world of the living with a promise of food. He’s sound asleep in his bed now. 365 days ago, we just woke up and were scolded by a nurse because we hadn’t fed our boy during the night. I guess that should have been common sense. And now look how he’s grown. In your face, nurse!

This last one is for Tadzik. Enjoy, little man!