I remember the moment my son was born. After a bit of heaving and pushing, he slid out. When the midwives caught him, they said “What a big baby!” to which I replied, “Is it?” before flopping onto the bed and letting Monte mop my forehead whilst this enormous* baby was put onto my chest for a cuddle and a nibble on the nipple.

Matthew, 10 minutes old.

Matthew, 24 hours old

The next minute, I drove him to kinder. We were both a bit nervous, especially since he was only just born and I had been enjoying his pre-school years (more like seconds) so very much.

First day of kinder!

With my two schoolchildren!

3/2/11: Georgia and Matthew begin the school year!

Just taking a breath... once we go through this door, there is no turning back :)

Feeling at home straight away! "Bye bye mum! Go now!"

I am proud to say that he loves school, and he idolises his teacher. It is almost sad that I am not the only female idol he has. He calls Mrs Klein ‘Mrs Climb’ and thinks she is the bee’s knees (she is).

Matty, who actually prefers to be called ‘Matthew’ now, already had some friends who went on to attend school with him, and he is making new friends whilst securing the existing friendships even more. He loves letters and numbers, and really wants to learn what things say and mean. His love for books has increased and he borrows a book from the school library daily.

I think that, despite the fact that my heart is wrenched from my chest every time he leaves for school**, it is definitely the best thing for him; he is so ready.

**“To become a mother is to decide for ever to have your heart walking outside your body.”

*He wasn’t that enormous, at 4.04kg, and he was born after a 2 hour drug-and-stitches-free labour, and it was actually a very awesome experience.