Happy Birthday Amie!

I’ve said this before, but when you have a child, time moves strangely. Two years have passed since the birth of Amelie, and while it seems only half that amount has gone by, I can not remember a time she has not been part of my life. Of course, she wasn’t always there, least not physically, but I sense she has always been there even before she was born, it’s just these passed two years have meant we have been able to see her, instead of imagine her and plan for her arrival. So yes, two years have passed, and yesterday Amelie celebrated with a fun-packed weekend.

It began on Saturday. Though December is his busiest month, Father Christmas finds time every year to attend the Santa Express, a train journey that begins at Bury town centre and travels to Ramsbottom (a popular of haunt of his because he likes to shop on the world famous Bury market). It is his only other commitment before the big day, which is why it’s a very popular day for young children hoping to get a glimpse of the jolly fellow before he descends down their chimney on Christmas Eve. Carla, her mum, Amelie and I were booked onto the first trip. The station itself was all decked out in pretty fairly lights and tinsel, and a stationary coach had been converted to a Santa’s workshop/gift shop. It was all very festive and endearing. On the coach we were met by elves, two elderly snowmen and a very emaciated reindeer, their costumes as threadbare as their jokes. There was also wine and mince pies for the adults and a good old sing a song accompanied by the Middleton Brass Band. They even played Happy Birthday for Amelie and everyone sang to her, which was definitely a real highlight of the day.

Carla and I were a little concerned how Amelie would react to Father Christmas. Still reeling from the whole Noel fiasco, we assumed anyone with a beard might freak her out. A few days before the trip we showed her pictures of Mr Claus and made a real effort to let her know he was a “nice man”. Amelie picked up on this and whenever she saw a picture of him would also say, “Fada Chibmas... nice man.” So, at the point when we heard the mass hysteria from the adjoining coach, and little children screaming his name, both Carla and I were looking at each other with more than a hint of apprehension. However, when he arrived and handed Amelie her present, she seemed okay. The heighten noise took her back a little, but after a moment or two she was smiling to him and seemed genuinely excited. I guess this year Father Christmas must have been very busy because as soon as he arrived, he was gone in a blur of red. Amelie’s present was a little handbag covered with tiger fur that contained a smaller tiger. It has since never left her side, and when I see her walking around the house with it in her hand, I can’t help but be reminded of Bet Lynch.

When Sunday arrived we were all a little tired. Among many of the birthday gifts she received, Amelie had been given a cold passed onto her by Carla (which originated from myself), and had spent most of the previous night coughing. But once she was up, she seemed in high spirits as if aware there was something very special about that day. Carla and I opened her cards in the morning and let her watch a Teletubbies’ DVD we had bought her (though it seems now her favourite show is Something Special starring Mr Tumbles – Amelie has since learned to sign “Justin” and “Parachute”). We dressed her in a pretty back and silver dress that we bought the previous week and did our best to tame her wild hair (we’re currently on the hunt for a toddler conditioner. Advice will be welcomed). We told people to arrive at 11am, knowing that Amelie would need her afternoon nap around 2pm. The first to arrive was Mark and Lindsay, followed by Carla’s mum and her brother, Alan. Presents were given and Amelie made little work of removing their packaging. My parents turned up shortly after with my aunty and uncle. From Carla and my own perspective, the day went very quickly because we were trying to be accommodating to our guests as well as preparing food for all. How parents organise children events is beyond me. We had a total number of eight adults and one child and we were both rushed off our feet. From what I could gather Amelie seemed to love the day. Her favourite gifts seem to be a Noah’s Ark given to her by my uncle and a talking Gerbil given to her by Carla’s brother. My father spent his time blowing bubbles and drawing on the carpet (sometimes even with Amelie!), and much hilarity ensued when Amelie did her impression of the cartoon Meerkat from those popular TV advertisements (simples!). It was a lovely day, not only because Amelie spent the time laughing and absorbing all the love in the room, but also because it was nice to get the families together.

So yes, two years have passed, every one measured in tears of laughter, joy and upset, but never regret. Here’s to many more. My little girl is growing up.