So I turned 31. I’ve been telling people it’s just number because that is truly how I feel. I can’t say that my age defines who I am or how I live my life because it doesn’t. If anything, being a mummy and having a birthday is far more terrifying than getting older. You wake up expecting, if only for a second, that there won’t be any washing up to do, laundry to be folded or even a toddler who wakes you up at 6.30 but alas you realize that birthday mummies still continue to be just that: mummies. I did spend the day with my mum, sister and the kids as well as papa’s side of the family but the highlight of my day was having dinner with my boys at the Hard Rock Cafe- which just opened in Nicosia. Hey! We’re getting there slowly but steadily… We opted for the early bird special so we were leaving the joint before nine! How embarrassing! But I’m sure all you mothers understand the issue with keeping a toddler up wayyyyy pass his bedtime. To be honest, my little dude was actually quite well-behaved. He wanted out of the highchair as soon as he was strapped in and ended up eating garlic bread instead of a bowl of mac and cheese which I desperately ignored for an hour but once he was out, all he wanted to do was enjoy the view from the glass balcony of the second floor. I even got to eat! Georgie’s grandparents volunteered to watch him for the night so papa and I could enjoy some alone time but I refused. What kind of birthday dinner would it be without my darling little family. I love you guys….maybe papa a bit more because he did source out yellow tulips you know!
parenting
There are moments when I look at Georgie and fight back the tears. I think the intensity of my feelings for this little human being has literally made it impossible for me to contain myself. It is out of my hands. I am so immensely proud of him. And myself for becoming a better person. Everyday, every action I take is geared towards bringing out the best in both of us. Whatever that may be. A walk in the park, a nice gesture. I try. I pull myself up and I feel focused. He has given me strength this one. Thank you, my darling.
I always wonder what other kids find interesting and if tractors are every toddler’s idea of happiness. It amazes me how much Georgie is taking in from the way we are interacting comfortably more and more each day. I love watching him focusing on something, concentrating and humming as he builds his tower of baked bean cans. He loves emptying out the fridge alphabet magnet jar and is a bit obsessed with that canon toy thing they give you with every Happy Meal (yes, he has had a Happy Meal. Actually, quite a few. He can even hold a hamburger properly and loves ketchup with it. But this is a rare situation. I will admit.)
On Friday afternoon my mum and I were taking our usual post-lunch walk through Ikea in search for an 8 euro clothes rail. Georgie, as usual again, was standing in the shopping cart watching the world go by. Five minutes later i heard a thump- a noise I will NEVER forget. A noise so disturbing every time I think of it I feel sick. He had fallen on his head and in a matter of seconds his eye was swollen shut.