I'm now the kind of mum who sings Happy Half Birthday! | Cheryl Gibbs

While he’s probably being a little dramatic (just a bit) we are the kind of family who all go out to celebrate each other’s birthday.

I remember even when we were at school, if one of us got a good school report the whole family would get together for drinks and something to eat.

Not a lot has changed now we’re older and have children of our own.

However, I may be pushing it slightly when yesterday we celebrated Harley’s half birthday…six months!

How on earth is this even real?

How do I, Cheryl, former girl about town, globe trotter and general busy body have a baby who is half a year when it felt like only yesterday that I announced in my column that we were expecting.

I honestly don’t get it.

Anyway, while I would have absolutely made the most of celebrating Harley’s half birthday (I’ll take any opportunity for some fun) Matt thought it was a bit too much.

Clearly he doesn’t quite get it.

But it didn’t stop me singing ‘Happy Half Birthday To You…’ when she woke up and getting some cupcakes and party favours in.

I know, I’ve become that mum.

If we were in America I’d be known as a ‘soccer mom’.

You know, the overbearing, over the top mum whose entire world is their kids.

Guess what? I’m not in the least bit sorry about it.

Admittedly, because of the current situation and the fact it’s not actually Harley’s birthday we didn’t have anyone over, but it was a milestone none the less.

It terrifies me that by the time we do this stint again, the next six months, she’ll be one.

By then she’ll no doubt be nearly walking and saying the odd word and then we’ll be in trouble.

If she’s anything like her mama she’s going to have plenty to say. As my dad says, ‘payback’s a b***h, Cheryl’.

Sometimes you just have to put your big girl pants on

I sent a picture to my mum and sisters this week of Harley sleeping in her crib.

They confirmed what I feared – she’s too big for it now and needs her own room.

For the past month we’ve been putting her in her own room for day naps, but the thought of her not sleeping by our side at night filled me with dread.

Nevertheless we tried on Sunday but by the time Matt and I were ready to go to bed I just lost it and I ended up bringing her in with us only to spend the rest of the night wide awake because she kept hitting the side of the crib with her arms.

We tried again and I put my big girl pants on and got through it, but it kills me every night. Our baby is growing up way too fast.

Passers-by cheer me on as I pound my running machine

I’ve bought a running machine, though it is probably a passing fad.

But we bought a cheap secondhand one and put it in the garage facing our view. I’ve run three miles every Monday to Friday and I’m really into it.

But because we’re on quite a busy road we get a lot of passers-by enjoying beautiful Clanfield and I don’t think any of them expected to hear (it’s quite loud when I’m pounding it) and see me in my garage looking like a beetroot bouncing up and down on the machine.

I’ve had some very strange looks but as we get a lot of locals walking by, they now make a point of looking in to see if I’m there and I’m getting waves and head nods as if cheering me on!

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