Despatches from a mother who started late (and is running to catch up)

Second of the first birthdays

After the buzzer went at last, ending that pre-party hiatus of waiting, our visitors began arriving. First, though, they had to ascend the escalier en colimaçon, or spiral staircase, so typical of New Town "stairs", as they call blocks of flats up here, that wends its way up two floors to the eyrie of our flat.

In their arms were bottles (for once containing wine, as well as milk) and babies togged up in party kit for this joint birthday party. Light poured in from the domed cupola up above the stair; a trio of balloons sellotaped to the front door welcomed them.

Just over a year ago we were couples who barely knew each other save to sit awkwardly at NCT ante-natal classes and engage in abstract pursuits such as debating the most appropriate modern childcare techniques. Since then, things have become a trifle less academic as we've battled with sleepless nights and crying babies. We've  moved from coupledom to family life and also, somewhere along the way, become friends.

K had already presided with magisterial good humour over an earlier celebration, attended mostly by family, on her proper birthday. She was equally enchanted at this knees-up with her friends. Although the two events shared a common purpose, they were very different to each other. Celebrating with other families, whose trajectory has been so similar to ours, somehow served to reinforce what we've all done and become in the past 12 months, as if  we mirrored and bolstered each other.

 

Posted 23 April 2007 13:32

Daughter Edinburgh Friends Home Husband

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