Tomorrow it will be a year.
This time last year I was pressing publish on a post about how painful Braxton Hicks contractions were, not knowing it was true labour.
My boy. One.
O.N.E.
Already his infancy is fading from memory, as he moves steadily now towards toddlerhood. There was a list in my head once, of things I wanted to remember about the early days: his downy head as I put my arms in the humidicrib, that first, politically incorrect laugh, the roundness of his belly. But I have forgotten, unbelievably, now.
How did I let it happen?
He's a beautiful boy, my Jasper. He is gentle, smiling, affectionate. He kisses strangers, wide-mouthed and flirty. He says dadada and hides his face in his forearm, already shy in a delighted kind of way. He is a real little pisces, the model I ordered, in the end.
At one year, he has self-weaned, learned to crawl, learned to pull up on the coffee table. He's a big boy, like he was when he was born - nearly five pounds for all his early gestation. He was ten kilograms - or around 20 lbs - two months ago - I shudder to think what he weighs now. Suffice to say, I am needing the twice-weekly yoga sessions these days, with my shoulder blades under constant baby-pressure.
Jasper loves music, like his dad. When there is music playing, he rocks back and forth on his hands and knees, beats his plastic drum. For his birthday, he was given his first infant-sized guitar - and would not let it out of his sight for tuning. When he grizzles from his car seat, I tune the radio to opera, and he sings tunelessly, adorably, along, sighing long high notes: Ahhhhh, Ahhhhh.
He is lovely.
And I miss my good ol' blog.
Happy 1st Birthday Jasper!
(you are completely adorable!)
Posted by: beagle | February 26, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Happy Birthday, Jasper!!
Wow, I can't believe it has been a year already.
Posted by: Somewhat Ordinary | February 27, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Aw, he's so cute.
Happy First Birthday, Jasper!
Posted by: amanda | February 27, 2008 at 12:42 AM
It's so wrong that this year has gone by so fast. I still remember being absolutely gobsmacked when you posted that you had gone into labour.
Happy birthday beautiful boy.
Posted by: sky girl | February 27, 2008 at 12:53 AM
He is lovely. Happy birthday, Jasper!
Posted by: Mel | February 27, 2008 at 03:35 AM
Happy 1st birthday, Jasper!
*(goodness, how did a year go by so fast?)
Posted by: serenity | February 27, 2008 at 04:05 AM
A year? Unbelievable!
Happy Birthday, Jasper.
Posted by: Summer | February 27, 2008 at 07:37 AM
I couldn't believe it was a year when I read the opening of this post. Happy Birthday sweet boy.
Yes, I missed my blog when I was away from it, too.
Posted by: thalia | February 27, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Happy Birthday, Jasper!
Meg, he is adorable!
Posted by: My Reality | February 27, 2008 at 12:04 PM
What a muso.
Happy birthday J! And welcome back, Meg, to the ol' blog!
Bea
Posted by: Bea | February 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Happy Birthday Jasper...what a sweet little boy!!
Posted by: MoMO | February 27, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Happy Birthday Jasper, you are too cute!
Meg, where did you find that guitar? It is perfectly sized for a 1 year old?
Posted by: Krista | February 27, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Happy Birthday fellow fish! The guitar strumming is adorable.
Posted by: Sam | February 27, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Happy birthday, Jasper!
Posted by: Ellen K. | February 28, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Happy Birth Day to you both!
The word "bittersweet" couldn't apply more to this occassion.
Posted by: DD | February 28, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Happy birthday Jasper!
So glad to hear from you. I'd missed your posts.
xo
Posted by: namaste | February 28, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Jasper is too cute. Happy birthday Jasper!
I was just thinking the other day how we hadn't heard from you in awhile. I'm pleased that you posted.
Posted by: MsPrufrock | February 28, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Happy Birthday Jasper! They grow way to fast don't they!
Posted by: soralis | February 28, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Happy birthday Jasper! I can't believe he's one already.
Posted by: Clover | February 28, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Cute! Happy 1st Birthday Jasper. From such small beginnings you have grown already into such a handsome little man. Can't wait to watch you grow over the next 20 years or so.
Posted by: bugsy | February 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Happy birthday to Jasper! How time has flown!!!
Posted by: Lut C. | March 02, 2008 at 09:41 AM
As usual, a bit behind the 8-ball, but...
Happy birthday Jasper!! I can't believe it's been a year (and almost a month). And I love the singing. Oh, how I *love* the singing!! :)
And kind of nice to see you around the old stompin' grounds, too.
Posted by: Projgen | March 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM