Day 3: then & now

Isabella

. jely

Is got a couple of lovely handmade gifts for her birthday. Today I'm showcasing the perfect works of Jo who I am very excited to say gifted one of her beautiful handcrafted baby essentials bags which I'd had my eye on.

Here it is in my handbag. The perfect gift for mum and baby - and let me tell you this gift has had a good workout. It's always with us on hand ready to be used...which it invariably is and will be for another year or two. Its not only useful to have everything you need for a nappy change in one small bag, its beautiful to look at too.

Be warned, the change mat is a show stopper...or should I say nappy change stopper. I've been known to say - yes by all means you can have a look...after I've changed Is!

Images taken from http://www.jely-online.com/

I find it also suits my needs with a one and four year old in the family. I'm so over nappy bags but still need to accommodate their needs. Given that I can also fit in a spare pair of undies for any 4 year old accidents that my happen, I'm pretty much thinking its perfect.

Here is a link to Jo's shop and her gallery. You won't be disappointed that you stopped by. x

Second chance

These pics will be going into the grandparents Christmas cards. Hope they like them. I broke out in a sweat getting them. A couple of nice ones out of over a hundred shots people...

Thanks Nonna for your help. x

A blooper...but so cute.

There's a party on the hill...

The internet was trawled for months prior for inspiration. Pretty decorations were leisurely made in the weeks before. Paper flower garlands sewed. Bunting completed. Cake ideas circulating through my mind. It was all a bit of fun.

I made a list of friends. Decided to throw caution to the wind and invite everyone. 29 kids were invited. And their parents. 26 kids confirmed their attendance.

Panic set in. Is the house big enough? What if it rains? How do you occupy 26 freaking kids? More flower pom-poms made to take my mind off it.

Party games organised to stop kids from climbing the walls with boredom. Pass the parcel. Check. Treasure hunt. Check. Pinata...it costs what? Ok, check. Alcohol bought to encourage the parents to mingle.

House decorated. Carpets vacuumed, garden tended to (thanks husband). Cake iced. Chose to ignore the curdled icing and soldier on. Girls were dressed. Dressed myself. Decided to enjoy this party since it was really just a few hours out of my life that could be great - and if not, it's just a few hours out of my life.

Started to relax. Mingled a little. Played the games with the kids. Found myself having fun. Kids got on just fine. Sun shone. Got sweaty. Face shiny and red. Something else I chose to ignore.

People leaving. Party bags offered. Kisses and hugs to farewell.

Photo courtesy of Jo

Feet ached. Throat sore from tiredness. Shoes off. Wine poured. Seat found. Aaaah. Mental review of the day. Giggled that my lemon tree got watered.

And just like that Isabella's first birthday was over. It was fun. She is so worthy of the effort. It helps that she smiled and laughed the whole day.

Now, I'm off to sleep for a week. Children permitting, of course. x

Uno

IsyB you are one. Now that was one whirlwind of a year that passed so quickly. You're still so little - petite enough to fool me into thinking I still have a baby. You're still keen on the breastmilk too, so its easier to carry on with the illusion that you're not yet one, you're still my little baby that I brought home from the hospital...was it just a few months ago?

Then I look at myself in the mirror and the dark circles under my eyes remind me that neither of us have slept through the night for a year...and then it feels like its been 12 months of busy nights. 

I know I keep saying it, but you've been an absolute delight from the moment you were born. You're calm, quiet, observant, affectionate and you have a loooong fuse. It's just that once its lit...we have to get out of the way because you're a firecracker once you're peeved!

You joined our family seamlessly. You loved us all immediately. You snuggled and smiled and played and crawled your way into our hearts and now that we are a family of four it is hard to concieve that we were ever really happy without you here with us.

You love your sister. She can light up your face whenever she walks into the room. S has been a loving and patient sister and it has been her saving grace after we've endured her 3rd year - a year of expressing herself, pushing boundaries and staking her claim in our family. Seeing her love you and you love her has helped us to see S as the gentle, loving little girl she is.

You are also cheeky with a great sense of humour. You have us laughing many times. Any grumps can be forgotten with a quick game of "Boo!" which you never grow tired of. It was your first word.

I am getting used to hearing "Mummy!" from another room. How is it that my baby can talk? Aren't you still too little?

You're just about to say "Boo!" here

You're cruising furniture but not ready to walk. You can crawl at a furious pace and you don't miss out on much since you can keep up with us all as you crawl along.

You're a great eater - more of a fruit bat than a veggie girl. It must be that sweet tooth you inherited. Sorry about that...

Thank you for this year. I was told 6 weeks after you were born by a stranger that had "abilities" whilst at a childrens party that you were given to me to show me what a wonderful mother I could be. I took it with a grain of salt (because she also told me I'd have 4!!! kids) but I can see some truth in it. Perhaps its because I'm a second time mum. Perhaps its how your personality affects mine. But I have enjoyed you immensely and I look forward to the many years ahead of enjoying eachother.

Happy birthday Boo. You are so loved. x



Standing

She loves to stand but she needs a prop. Any old thing will do. x

Grandma's love

Is got a love package in the mail this week. Some handmade Grandma's love made from 80% bamboo and 20% cotton. It is soooo soft and delicious.

My mother in law made this cardigan for each of her four babies (back in the day) and for a couple of her grandchildren until she got the hint that knitted cardi's weren't...shall we say...highly regarded.

Enter the daughter-in-law who loves handmade knitty love and Grandma is back clicking away at the needles. She gets to make beautiful things. I get to enjoy them on my babies. My babies get to enjoy being warm and looking lovely. Everyone wins!

PS. I know I was meant to be capturing the garment...but I kind of lost focus along the way. That face!

The Shadow

Just two things to share today:

1.

S has a shadow. Wherever she goes, Is finds a way to be there too. It's adorable to watch. You should see the look of triumph on her face when she finally gets to where S is, pulls herself up to a standing position so she can see what's going on and then looks around for me with such a happy face. Thankfully S is mostly oblivious, or extremely patient with her shadow. No telling Is to "buzz off!" just yet.

2.

I ordered a few stocking fillers and little gifts from The Tribe store. An online store with reasonably priced and great gifts for kids and mums to be.

Today I gave S the soy pebble crayons. They come in a velour pouch and when she tipped them out they created a rainbow of colour on the table. Her little hands just couldn't resist picking them up to start drawing or counting.

Looks like they were a hit...but something that Shadows aren't welcome to share just yet.

Staying present

Today's date has significance for me - my dad died on this date. I can honestly say it's not front of mind for me anymore. I actually realised the date once I downloaded the pics I took of my girls. It passed unnoticed until then.

If he was here today he'd get to meet these girls of mine. How could you not die all over again from the cuteness of those butts? Excuse the pun but seriously - who wouldn't?

Incidently, this was the first time Is has stood up at the bath. She's getting so big! x

8 months

On the eve of your 9 month milestone I'd like to thank you for this eighth month. You have been an absolute joy and the growing and developing you've done in one single month has been so exciting and fun to witness.

In your eighth month you:

• learnt to crawl
• learnt to sit up
• say "Mama"
• say "Dada"
• wave goodbye whilst saying "Ba-ba"
• Put your blanket up to your face, remove it quickly and exclaim "Aaah Berr!" (that's Ah Boo!)
• Slept through the night 3 times!

I tell you it's been one busy month of growing and I'm watching my baby girl grow up before my eyes on a daily basis.

I still love our morning feeds together. You're so warm, peaceful and cuddly. After having your milk you nuzzle into my chest, suck your thumb and stay there until you're ready to face the day...or you fall into a peaceful slumber. It's such a nice way to start the day with you.

You are a constant source of delight for all of our family. Your gummy smiles provide endless photo opportunities and moments of joy. There is not a tooth to be seen as yet - just heavy, white gums just waiting to crack a tooth...any day now? I'm loving your gums and your sweet milky breath for more months than I expected. How lucky I am!

I can't imagine what your 9th month will bring. More growing and movement I'm sure. You are loved beyond measure. Your happiness is contagious. Thank you again for choosing us. 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!!!

4 months

You were 4 months old last week. As if you knew it, you discovered your voice and talked happily all day. You've found your hands in recent weeks and stare at your feet as they dance away in front of you. You have a smile for anyone who enters your line of sight. Big, gummy, delighted smiles. Especially when we're excited for you, such as when you rolled over front to back for the first time last Sunday.

So far you've been a placid soul. You have a gentle nature but a cheeky smile, a hearty giggle and a general delight about you. At the moment while you're feeding, you'll pull off my breast, give me a cheeky smile and then get back to sucking with gusto...which is a little harder given you're smiling so widely.

You're so happy to be here with us. I feel that as the weeks roll by you're unfolding before me like a beautiful rose - lots of layers, more things to discover about you - each new stage more thrilling and delightful than the last.

You're a mummy's girl in public places. A bit shy and very quiet. When others hold you, you try to smile, but your face changes from a full crescent shaped frown to a weak smile and back to a frown while your eyes plead at me to take you back. You really are trying to be happy in someone else's arms. As soon as we put you in the car to return home from a social outing you exhale big sighs of delight and talk away, smiling the whole time. Safe in familiar surrounds.

You need to be talked through new situations. Your sister loved baths, but you need me to talk to you about what's happening - I can't just sit you in it straight away. I start by dipping your toes in, then up to your knees, then sit you in the bath before slowly lowering you onto your back. All the while I'm telling you it's ok, you're alright, you're safe, the water is warm and inviting. You look at me with a worried little face. You take in deep breaths and then hold it - not sure about any of it. Until I keep talking and you trust me and you eventually enjoy yourself kicking and wriggling away.

I never knew babies could be as easy as you are. I've honestly enjoyed every day with you. I look forward to every day to come. Thank you for being you - I love every inch of you inside and out. x

3 months old

We've reached a lovely milestone - my baby is 3 months old. Smiling, sleeping through the night (!), chatting with us and the beginnings of a giggle here and there. That is my favourite, followed closely by her big gummy smiles.

So far Is has been an absolute delight - I didn't know babies could be like this. I'm sure it's mostly her placid, easy going personality, but another factor could be that she's a thumb sucker.

I tried many times to get her to take a dummy. I'd find her sleeping soundly in her bassinet with the dummy discarded and her thumb in her mouth. I immediately projected myself into the future where I had a 10 year old that still sucks her thumb and I'm grabbing it out of her mouth in public places.

Both of my girls have been "sucky" babies. S still has a dummy as she's just not ready to give it up. Is was placed on my chest as soon as she was born and withing minutes she was laying there comfortably sucking her fingers. I guess time will tell as to whether dummies or thumbs are better. I have my own involuntary experiment going on within my home. I'm hoping Is proves me wrong and gives up her thumb by 3...

Anyway, that's all a while off. For now I'm soaking up the baby bliss. I keep getting warned that her easiness could all change at 3, 6, 9 months. I'm hoping Is proves them wrong on that one too. x