Twenty years ago that day I was awaiting the birth of my first baby.
I was terribly broody not long after we first married and we had tried to conceive for a year before I fell pregnant. My due date was September 19th, we broke to news to first family and friends, all thrilled and excited, both Grannies and my adored aunt wished fervently for a baby girl........I yearned for a baby girl! The pregnancy went smoothly and as comfortably as pregnancies go and my 6lb 14oz bundle of girly-flavoured yumminess arrived a week early on the 12th. I swear I thought she was the most exquisite thing I have ever laid eyes on! Isn't nature wonderful for making us think that!!
I had spent the day before making finals finishing touches to the nursery, making sure my hospital bag had everything I thought would be required and setting up the Moses basket with tiny blankets and sheets.........
Friday was the eve of my baby's 20th birthday, my beautiful daughter, the adored (and at times rather spoilt) grandchild of my parents. She is of course now working, she drives her own car and is 'going steady' as my mum insists on calling it with a local boy.
So this year, instead of preparing maternity holdalls and tiny beds I have today lost my weary head in preparing wee morsels for her delight tomoro. She isn't fond of traditional birthday cakes so my younger daughter and I baked a myriad of tiny cupcakes and hand decorated them for her. Oh we did have fun and a giggle doing it and watching the clock as she was due home from work and stashing them away, foil covered in the garage so she wouldn't spot them before her birthday morning!
Incidentally, the moses basket that I so lovingly prepared 20 years ago is now occupied by a new little life. My daughters friend gave birth this week to her baby boy and he now resides in the pale blue protection of my beautiful cradle.......
Perhaps I will make him blue cupcakes in 20 years time.................
