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

Tres

Three years ago today, with one last big push, I shot out my little girl. The midwife was so caught off-guard she used her reflexes to catch you. I was so happy to see you after 9 long months and a 23 hour labour. I was convinced you were a boy through my whole pregnancy, so was shocked but delighted all the same when the midwife placed you, a baby girl, in my arms.

From that moment to now it's been a roller coaster and a steep learning curve for us both. You learning to live in this world, me learning to put your needs before mine and live off much less sleep.

Cake chosen by S. The fairy house.

You've kicked my butt into shape in so many ways. I'm learning patience, to bite my tongue, to rise above my grumpiness and be kind, to breathe deeply and stay in a calm place while you're "expressing yourself" in public places. You've taught me the intrigue of wee and pooh, the world of imagination in our back yard, to wave to strangers on buses, to speak nicely or pay the consequences of poor expression by having it repeated to friends and family. You have no boundaries, no barriers, no fear. I'm learning to see the world through your innocent eyes and its a beautiful sight.

From birth you have had a flair for drama. You feel everything at full volume. Happiness, sadness, and everything in between. You are so happy to be here and everything is "so essiting!" You're vibrant, energetic, sensitive, kind, smart, mischievious and loving. You love all things fairy, glittery and pink. Lipstick, glitter blush and hair acessories are your favourites, along with a dress up box full of tulle and sequin adorned dresses.

Birthday gift - her first bike.

The best thing about you being 3 is that you can express yourself:

:: I love you mummy.

:: Mum, I so essited!

:: Mum, we're married. I wear a white dress and you wear your white dress.

:: Oh mummy, you look booful in that dress. I love your earrings too!

:: No, I not a monkey. I Senna Grace!

The worst thing about you being 3 is also that you can express yourself:

:: No, I not!

:: Crying, screaming, lashing out (tired girl behaviours)

:: I don't like it!

All in all, it is a privilege to get to see you up close every day. To be loved by you. To have your little arms wrap around my neck as you hone in for a big wet "Cinderella style" kiss. I've seen all your firsts - smile, roll, crawl, walk, run, ride a bike. I get to see you learn your manners, make friends, test your boundaries, discover being a sister - you're so loving to Isabella.

I'm more alive than ever before because you're part of me. Thank you for choosing me to be yours. I love you more than I ever knew I could. Happy birthday, monkey. I know, I know...you're Senna Grace. xx

Baby love...

:: 3.84kg of baby love to be precise

:: a little pink one

:: 2 weeks early according to my gestational measurements. In perfect time according to me

:: She rolls onto her side - already. I may have an active one on my hands

:: introducing the newest member of our family - little Is

I'll show you more photos when I'm ready to share her with you. Until then, I'm cuddling and smelling and soaking up the newborn bliss.

Father's Day

Daddy & S (3.5 months old)

To our love.

Thank you for loving us in the special way you do. Your little girl adores you and learns how to love every time she witnesses the ways in which you love us. It's patient, it's endless and it's appreciated.

Happy Father's Day to a man that hasn't missed a beat since the first time you held S in your arms. Our little family loves you more than you'll ever know.

J, S & Felix the cat x

{30 Days of Gratitude}

The long, happy wait

In March our little family of three were pleasantly suprised by an unexpected pregnancy. A holiday conception. You've heard of the type...the holiday vibe is going, there's good food, good wine, good company, great conversations, lots of good will going on between me and the man...and the good times continue. Enough said.

Now I'm 15 weeks pregnant and counting. I've felt much worse this time compared to the glow and hormone induced bliss I enjoyed with S. Lets just say that I'm still waiting for the glow to arrive...and the sickness to leave :)

So we are all happily awaiting the arrival of a new family member to love in December - making us 4. But until then, I'm waiting for the next bit...like feeling those butterflies across my stomach letting me know I've got life growing inside me.

Happy times.