Dear Lamb,
This time last year I had just finished wrapping your presents, icing your cupcakes and blowing up your balloons. Exactly how tonight has ended. Only tonight I feel different. Tonight I feel utter joy and happiness about the special day that will soon be upon us. Tonight I am holding back tears from the overwhelming rush of love I am feeling for you.
But let’s rewind. This time last year you couldn’t walk. This time last year you couldn’t talk. This time last year you couldn’t even crawl. Life was difficult and I wasn’t doing too well with it all.
Mummy struggled with her emotions. I had my happy days, I had my sad days, I had my can’t get out of bed days. Let’s set something straight. Mummy wasn’t ill, and didn’t need help, she just struggled every now and then.
Your first birthday was tainted with my fear of failing and the feeling of not being able to cope. When you look at photos I am smiling, and those smiles are totally genuine, but I could only give you 80%, as there was 20% of me who didn’t feel right.
It’s now a year on and I can reflect on the last year and see how far I have come. There is no fear of failing, no feeling of “I can’t do this”, just pure happiness and excitement.
You are the most precious thing in my life, and turning two is a milestone I will never forget. Gone are the days when I break down because you’re throwing a tantrum. I now watch you with a smile on my face and amuse myself over the minor detail that had caused you to scream in the first place. Yes, it can be as minor as giving you the wrong juice cup.
This year you have my complete attention. This year I won’t be drifting off into thoughts of giving up. This year I’m going to be like a kid in a candy shop when you open your presents. This year I can give you 100%.
Love mummy x
Recently I’ve tried to find toys that are educational as well as fun; toys that teach him something new, whether it’s colours, shapes, animals, or a new game.
– Rather than catching the fish, Lamb really enjoys trying to catch the bubbles in his bath! He also puts his hand into the net to try and grab whatever he has caught. This toy is really good for teaching colours. I ask Lamb to ‘catch’ the orange fish, or green fish and he will try and scoop up the correct colour. You can also help teach numbers by saying “can you catch 3 fish?” This is for age 18+ months, but I think age 2 is about right for Lamb. He really concentrates and wants to catch the fish, however 6 months ago I’m not sure he would have been interested in learning how to fish! But every child is different so this would be a great birthday present for a 2 year old or christmas if they are a little younger. RRP £5.99.
2. 
– Lamb really loves the water wheel. He’s a tad obsessed with pouring water at the mo, so loves using his jug to fill up the water wheel and watch them spin. Out of the 3 toys I would say he gets bored of this one the quickest. Not because it’s a bad toy, just because he gets distracted with the other toys he’s has that he can splash with. This toy is recommended for ages 18+ months, but I would say this would be enjoyable for ages 12+ months. RRP £7.49.
– Lamb loves bath time with Daddy, and Fishing Friends is the perfect toy to get Daddy involved! This toy is great for teaching your little one to concentrate. They can watch Daddy do some fishing and then have a go themselves. It comes with 3 animals you can catch. A duck, a fish and a turtle. You can use this toy to teach your little one about the animals you might find in water and ask them to fish for one of them. RRP £7.49.
If you can’t offer us time off, then make us feel fabulous. Make up, face products, perfumes. And not the cheap stuff. We want Mac, Elemis and Chanel.
Day out. Take control and plan the day. Lunch at your local pub, afternoon tea or fish and chips by the sea. An afternoon walk along the coast, or in your local nature reserve. Something that will provide beautiful and memorable photos. Remember, us mums love something to cherish.
You don’t always have to buy us stuff (well, you do but we like the home-made stuff too). Get the kids to make us something. Whether that be a hand print of your newborn, or a full on masterpiece from your teenager, we absolutely love stuff made by the kids. The blood sweat and tears put into that one of a kind piece of art will end up in the loft gathering dust. But you know what? We kept it. Because it means something.
