Julie Jay: My youngest's first year has been the fastest in my life 

This is a week where I was reminded that in life things can move fast, but a crawling baby can move faster

Pic: iStock

For the last 12 months, I have woken JJ up every morning saying, ‘This time last year, you were in mammy’s tummy.' But now this greeting can no longer be uttered, and JJ is no doubt relieved the monotony has come to an end. From now until eternity, his age will be measured in years, not days. But already, I know he will always be my baby because I am nothing if not clichéd when it comes to Irish mammy stereotypes.

To celebrate turning one, he has finally started to crawl, in kind of a one-leg motion, but a crawl that is all the same. This progression handily coincided with a physio appointment, where he impressively trundled into the clinic on all fours with a look of satisfaction that suggested he’d had the last laugh. JJ 1; HSE 0, his visceral delight seemed to scream.