I’ve sometimes wondered, as I write a birthday message, if someone who reads it thinks, “Thanks, Barbara, I’d forgotten that was today. I’ll call and say, ‘Happy birthday,’ myself.” I don’t write so that this will happen but I do wonder. I guess somewhere in my mind, I thought someone would give me a bit of a nudge when I missed someone’s birthday, say some like Zachary who had his very first birthday on the 5th.  But, nada, no one said anything. (And I know I missed Kathleen but since she doesn’t read these emails, I thought I’d send her a card but I haven’t yet and I know now I should have just written the email.)

This, then, is Zachary’s belated birthday wish. I hope he won’t think it any less sincere.

Happy birthday, Zach. Your family in Ottawa fell in love with you from the first moment we laid eyes on the photo that your daddy sent by email. Reid would sit on the couch, cuddling my laptop and stroking your fuzzy strawberry blond hair. It usually drives me a bit nutty when people touch my computer screen but I could understand the compulsion that made her do it. You were a cute little man and that was that.

We first met at [1] Easter when you were about 3 months old. Reid stalked you a bit, looking for opportunities to kiss and/or hug you. You tolerated this affection with good grace. You even let me practice my baby holding skills after a long disuses. Perhaps Damien briefed you on me. Zachary, you were a patient fellow when I indulged my creative photographer side and took pictues of you lying in a basket filled with Easter grass, a few eggs thrown on for effect. You were a trooper through your baptism as well. I got some good pics of it since you probably won’t remember it. Someone said that the folks who watch the service on closed circuit tv might have seen my underwear when I was taking pictures but you’re worth the possible embarassment, besides it would have been worse if they hadn’t seen my underwear, if you know what I mean.

Reid and I were delighted to go camping with you, your mom and Dylan at the Wheatley Provincial Park in August. You were the quintessential happy camper and a pleasure to be around. Reid again offered you many kisses and took turns holding you (with help, of course). You are very tolerant of your fans.

Uncle Ken met you for the first time in December. You scored a hat trick in causing our family to be smitten by you. Of course you were nearly a boy instead of a baby by December, impressing us all with your determination to eat “real food” and putting your new teeth* to good use. You were very well-behaved for the Christmas photo shoot, too. In addition to be tolerant of your fans, you are unfailingly polite to the paparazzi.

Happy first birthday, Zachary. We’re looking forward to many more adventures with you.

*Correction: In Zachary’s birthday message above, I mention teeth in December since I couldn’t see how anyone could mangle green peppers with just gums but it turns out Zachary manages it just fine.  Poor kid – he gets a belated birthday wish that contains an inaccuracy. Melissa and Roy get an extra helping of sympathy from me because Zachary has been teething since the beginning of December at least and has yet to pop any teeth through. Those pearly whites mean a lot to a parent, kind of like a reward after the trial by teething.