More Inspiration

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by sleep deprivation recently. Anyone who knows me well knows that me without sleep...well, lets just say it isn't pretty.

When I recently received this little package in the mail from the inspiring Christie, it was just the lift I needed. I may not have alot of energy right now to create, but I do have time to sit with a cup of tea and swoon over these pages. It may even be just the inspiration I need to get me back into creating.

Thank you Christie for hosting this giveaway - I am wrapped to have been the lucky winner. As if reading your blog isn't inspiring enough, I've so enjoyed reading this book and planning my next creative adventure. x

6 months

The days, weeks, months are flying by. My baby is 6 months old. When I say flying by, perhaps a more accurate description would be moving by in a haze of sleep deprived stupor. But it's a happy stupor.

How could it not be with a gorgie like this beaming up at you every day? Eating like a trouper. Smiling her sport of choice. Cuddles a favourite too.

Moving forward on her tummy using her legs like a caterpillar. Rocking back and forth on her hands and knees. I'm watching my baby grow in leaps and bounds week by week. I'm delighted for her while at the same time grossly outraged at how quickly the newborn phase passes and how before I know it this little girl of mine will be running amok around my home.

Funnily, it's this same reliance on the changing of phases that I hold onto when my eyes are hanging out of my head once again from a busy night shift. It's a phase. It'll be over soon.

How bittersweet motherhood is. We break out hearts if we think our children may not be thriving, yet they also break when they do. Thriving means growing. Growing means changing. Changing means that time is passing. Quickly. I'll be discussing world events over a cuppa with Is before I can blink, and I know it. I'm acutely aware of it. And yet I look forward to it.

For now at 6 months of age I'm loving being the centre of her universe. Having her rely on me for everything. My heart feels like it moves in my chest when she smiles at me. When she tries to take the spoon off me to feed herself. When I walk back into a room and she's halfway to the other side of it beaming at me with pride.

Go on then - thrive my lovely one. But go easy on me - my heart can only take so much! x

PS. Two milestones to note:

1. Received her first black eye as an accidental gift from her sister.
2. Slept in the pram - finally!!!

On a whim...Bloggers Without Makeup

I came across a post this morning. It spoke to me. Bloggers Without Makeup.

This concept speaks to me on many levels. I always keep in mind when reading blogs that the author is showing me a snippet of themselves. A snippet that they're happy for the known and unknown public to see. And that's fair enough. But keeping it in mind allows me to enjoy pictures of perfect family rooms, tended gardens, thriving vegie patches and dream holidays without feeling envious. I know these are the best parts of those things. Perhaps they look like that sometimes. Other times I'm sure they don't.

Bloggers Without Makeup also speaks to me because of the path I'm taking. I know that going without makeup is a daily occurrence for many people. It's not for me. Those that see me without makeup belong to a sacred circle of trusted people. I know that sounds dramatic, but for me to let down my guard enough to front up to your house fresh faced (and a little coy), then you can safely assume you're one of my inner circle. Not that its a posse I expect many aspire to - it's just symbolic of what it means to me.

So without too much thought...so that I don't talk myself out of it, I've decided to front up on my journey into self love and show my real self. Taken this morning in poor light. In my pajamas. May or may not have a bra on. Haven't touched my hair. Not a speck of make-up.

Welcome to my posse. x

Mothers Day

I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day.

I did. I felt the love. Felt the effort. Enjoyed the sunshine. Got some exercise. Put myself first. Felt grateful for all that I have.

Amazing how one day of loving attention is all you need to feel happy day to day wiping bottoms and meeting endless needs. x

It was also great to spend the day with my family and for the cousins to play together - in Nonna's autumn leaves as usual.

We tried to take a quick family portrait - now there's an oxymoron for you. S wasn't interested & the Big Fella got tired of trying to make her interested & getting a 5 month old to look to the front isn't easy. Oh well, here's the outakes.