Iris – Year One

wordswithmrsh - 9 Mar 17

Dear Iris

On the 10th March 2016, I can’t lie, we were both looking a bit bruised and knackered (your Dad was looking fairly rough too). Although it took less time for you to arrive than to watch any one of the the Lord of the Rings films, it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t pretty. But we made it and there you were. I can’t listen to Leon Bridges The River, without being transported back to that delivery room and remembering you being placed in my arms. It’s a goosebumps type moment. (However, some of the previous tracks just are not so magical)

After shift change, your Dad and I enjoyed the confused look on several midwives faces as you and I were wheeled down to the post delivery ward. They enquired about what you were called, so we listed our favourite girls names, still undecided. There were lots of confused stares and glances at the newborn in the blue striped baby grow. (the first baby grow worn by all 3 Harris babies.) There was the odd raised eyebrow…. Too much gas and air I expect….

Somewhere in the haze of the first 24 hours you became Iris Nina. Iris because we always just loved the name and Nina, to follow our own made up tradition for all of our kids, of a middle name after one of our favourite old soul singers.

I am not entirely sure how I can be writing so soon, that that day was a year ago.

You have such spark and personality already, that sometimes I wonder where it will take you and who you are going to be. But really, what counts is to enjoy who you already are. Determined, loud, messy, curious and ridiculously loveable. You keep us on our toes – like sleeping through from 8 weeks old (oh how we laughed), to sleeping through just 5 nights of 2017 so far…. (I’m sure it’s just a really long phase…)

Your first year has also bought change to our family. I am still not working and although that was always the plan, your dad and I both wondered if we could really make it this far on one wage. Yet, somehow we are doing it and I am so grateful for this time at home with all of my babies! I wobbled, somewhere in the middle – could I actually stay at home indefinitely, having worked and earned my own money in some way or another since I was 14? But it passed. We drop the boys off to school and nursery and pick them up everyday – it’s little things like this that make a big difference to us all.

Your brothers adore you. When you are not trying to chew their stuff, turning the tv off, keeping them awake, throwing food at them, then trying to take their food, putting their toys down the loo, trying to bite them…. Yep, they totally love you. (although I do think they might love the boundary of the stair gate almost as much – but don’t worry that will pass).

Year One has been crazy and unexpected in kinds of ways but we wouldn’t have it any different. You have made our little family complete.

But let’s not gush too much…. There is celebrating to do, cake to be eaten and the good news is, we are looking much better than we did this time last year. (although still a bit knackered)

The happiest of birthdays to you little Iris. Bring on Year Two

xxxxx

wordswithmrsh

Mum of fabulous children, wife to one very patient husband. My blogs are about anything that has popped into my head as it occurs to me. I have aspirations to write more, that are slowly turning into reality. A lover of the simple things in life - good friends, good food, good wine and of course family.

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