Babies First Starlight

I write this after all the festivities of the day have happened. The three of you have long since been in bed, as well as your mother, and I sit here on my own in front of the fireplace. Our glowing starlight sentinel standing tall in the corner, it’s lights shining in the window as snow twinkles from the stars. 

 I have to record this day, the first Starlight Celebration the three of you have  officially experienced. I say officially, as this time last year, your mother sat atop a mountain on her own, guiding the dead, while the three of you grew inside her. Now here we are, a year later, and you three are 9 months old. 

 Our day started mid-morning. I had to get you three up, startling you all awake with my cheers of “Happy Starlight!” as I came into your rooms in my bright red jammies. Damie, the glare you have me, followed by the look of confusion as I picked you up, bringing you out to the living room, into your highchair. Mina, you whimpered at me as I pulled you from bed, snuggling tight against my chest as I brought you out to sit in your chair beside your brother. Kiara, you were the most startled, giving me a look I’ve seen from your mother when I’ve done something silly, a mix of fear and being unimpressed. You too, came out to the living room to sit beside your siblings. 

 All your eyes sparkled as I lit the tree, the boxes wrapped in different colours bound with bows piled beneath it. You’re all still too young to understand what’s going on, what any of this fuss was about. You just wanted to sleep, and here I was bursting into your rooms, waking you up, being all happy and cheerful before dragging you outta bed. 

 Gabriella came down soon after, the three of you giving her looks asking if I was okay, her just shrugging before going to make some cocoa in the kitchen behind you. We got you all fed, as I sipped a coffee before Arnor and Nana knocked at the door, showing up with a bag. We got them all settled in and warming by the fireplace, warm drinks in hand before we started with the gifts. 

 Again… I know you’re all still too young to understand, too young to even be able to open gifts, let alone enjoy them really, but I still think the three of you had some fun as the hours went by. 

 Damir, I’ve never seen you cling harder to a blanket, or a stuffie. Nana had knit the three of you each a new wool blanket, nice and thick and soft, perfect for these cold winter’s nights. She’d also made some little hats for you three to wear when we leave the house. You also got a soft, stuffed dragon, white, like your sister’s form. You were all snuggled up with the blanket on you and your toy, sitting on the couch, soother in your mouth. 

 Mina, little angel, with the mound of stuffies for your collection. You love your plushies, and it makes it so easy to know what to get or make for you. You lay on your pile beside the coffee table, giggling out of overwhelmedness, unsure what to do with yourself. If we’d have left you there, I imagine you’d still be right next to me as I write this, sound asleep on your pile. 

 Kiara, and Diss, you gave us all the biggest laugh we’ve had. Kiara, you spent more time enjoying the others than you did with your own gifts. You still spent some time with the blanket Nana made you, and the little pixie plushie we got you stayed by your side, at least while you were in your person form. When Diss came out, we had a gift for her, and I swear, we have never seen someone more excited. 

 Gabriella didn’t appreciate us playing fetch with her socks in the house, so I promised her I’d make you some wool balls we could use instead. So when I poured a big bag of 40 or so stuff, crochet balls on you, and you tried catching them, chasing them, and throwing them around as your siblings watched, I knew Gabriella wouldn’t have to worry about her socks any more. We spent some time each tossing a ball around the cottage for you as you chased after it. Damir giggled as you’d come bounding back, growling as we’d try to take it from you. So, we’d toss another one, and off you’d go. We each took turns doing it until you wore yourself out, hoarding them all up, and curling around them next to the fire. 

 By the time evening came, I had dinner made and ready, and we all sat around the table. The three of you in your highchairs as Gabriella and I fed you all special purees I made to go with our dinner. Nana cut the dodo for us, as we enjoyed the meal around the table. Arnor made us all a special tea, before the two of them made their way home in the snow. 

 We offered for them to spend the night, but they wanted to get back home before more snow came. 

 So, we got you three ready for bed, your mama reading stories from some of the new books we got you. You were all tucked in, new blankets keeping you warm. Gabriella went to bed soon after, and here I sit, one last mug of mulled juice, as I write next to the fire. 

 This was the first of many Starlight Celebrations, and I can’t wait for the rest to come. It’ll become more and more exciting as you all grow bigger and older. 

 Soon, Uncle Star will also come to visit and meet you three for the first time. At least, whenever he decides to make the trip here…