During a pre-christmas rummage in my wardrobe, looking for gifts, I came across Jacob's first pair of shoes.
They were pretty chunky for a newly-walking toddler, but he was extremely proud of them, and I remember being amazed that my baby had size 4 1/2 feet.
My sense of surprise has never diminished in regard to shoe size, quite justifiably I think when you consider his latest pair, coming in at a walloping size 12.
"Act your age not your shoe size" was considered a statement of world-weary sophistication when I was at school, but given that Jacob is 14, he could justifiably act his shoe size and not be considered too immature.
This particular pair of shoes will shortly be walking the streets of London as Jacob is leaving very early tomorrow morning on a school trip, coming home on Sunday evening. I am excited for him, and keep reminding myself that he is now the very capable young man who fits in every way the Big Size 12, not the chatty toddler in the Small Size 4 1/2.