One Year ago today...

So it's 10am in the morning as I write. That means that this time last year I was screaming like a banshee somewhere in the rabbit-warren of Orange Base Hospital and being assured that the anaesthetist would be along as soon as he could...
Ah! The memories!...
I still dislike the nurse that told me to "stop making so much noise and sit up please" INTENSELY...

Anyway anyway, -this is not a maudlin restrospective of the birthing process but a wee blog about my little Monkey's very first birthday party!

Saturday the 1st of June 2013 dawned grey and cold. Heavy rain clouds blanketed the skies and everything was damp and grey. Not ideal. Not at all.
However, everything that I could control was well in hand. Thick and creamy Pumpkin Soup was simmering on the stove, Sourdough was sliced and buttered, hot oven treats were baking (potato balls, spinach and cheese triangles, spring rolls, curried pumpkin bites, mini-quiches), cake was made and decorated, ice-cream a-plenty was softening nicely on the counter, monkey had had his morning sleep and was all bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready for his first ever party!

Somewhat prematurely, I had decorated the outdoor area under the brand new gazebo with a "Magic tree" (fallen eucalypt branch sprayed gold and then wired with apples/pears/persimmons/pomegranates/ivy/roses/berries)....

Stacks of pumpkins and squash in wicker baskets with wicker wreathes...

Hay bales, more pumpkins, mini-daffodils, rosemary sprigs, jugs full of fresh lavender..

Even drifts of oak leaves....

The gazebo structure was liberally wreathed in fairy lights, hanging autumn leaves, bright berries and autumn willow branches...and NO ONE sat out there for the entire party...ah well, I had fun decorating it anyway:-).

As guests showed up, they were plied liberally with hot snacks and beverages and Gabe was cuddled and fussed over within an inch of his life :-). I think he was a little overwhelmed at first, but very soon the excitement of having other children to play with and TWO sets of grandparents to adore him overcame any initial misgivings:-)

Something mysteriously enchanting about the corner of the kitchen...whatever it was, they all found it fascinating...

A spot of chook-chasing is always good..:-)

Ellie decided to 'help' Gabe open his presents because, in her words, he was "too slow"..:-)

She also took it upon herself to feed him at any available opportunity...

Excellent opportunity to show Nanny new walking skills...

Lots of snuggles from Poppy!

Lots and LOTS of wonderful presents from everyone!
This lucky 1 yr old was given a music set, a brand new snuggly coat for winter, a bubble machine, rather a lot of Pumpkin Patch clothing, some wonderful new books, some stacking cups and mini gumboots and some gorgeous hand-knitted booties.

I inflicted a '1yr retrospective' video on the assembled (sorry guys!) and we all gathered around to sing 'Happy Birthday' and demolish the cake...

Luckily, the heavens opened just after the party, and my marvellous guests left with the slightly unusual party-favour of a few pumpkins...

So thankyou thankyou thankyou to Glen and David, Wrellan, jason, Eliie and Rowan, Nick, Amelia and Wolfgang, Ruth and Arthur, Cameron and Joe, Kylie, Noah and Mitchell for making my little man's first celebration an occasion full of laughter and joy and love. He won't remember it, but I will...forever. xoxo

LOVE YOU LITTLE MONKEY-PUMPKIN!!!