yesterday

yesterday
was a lunch outside day

little sister's first real chance to sunbake

and the first time big sister said,
"i hold sister? i hold sister?"

weekend

this weekend

we went to the zoo
then we had a rest

mummy had an hour out and about by herself
and we had friends over for dinner
then we had a rest

we went to church
big sister proudly wore the crown she made
then we had a rest

alone time

during big sister's afternoon nap
and little sister's bathtime
i get to bond with my new girl

we talk
we smile
we watch each other

precious alone time

lazing on a sunny afternoon

i love you, little flashdance sister

happy two month birthday for yesterday, little sister!

yummy yoghurt

playful

little sister is beginning to play
knocking over the red-nose rudolphs with flailing arms
reclining for lengthy spells and cooing for a face to smile at

entertainment

big sister is becoming more and more imaginative
this is just one morning's work!

closeness

big sister was eager to join little sister on the floor
she loves to be close to her
big sister often lets me know when little sister is crying
and she loves to stroke little sister's head when she's sleeping
so lovely

together

this is the best i could do
to get a picture of my girls together
neither of them smile on command
but at least they look at the camera!

more wakeful

our new girl
is getting more wakeful
loves mummy's shoulder
or being carried close in the sling
gets lots of cuddles from big sister
has a crease in her brow that makes her look serious
she is delightful

the drought is broken

the sister drought is broken

5 generations
5 daughters of daughters with only brothers
ended
with the birth of our beautiful new daughter

missy becomes big sister
of little sister, who delights sleepily in the sunshine

thank you God for blessing our family

out in front

5 weeks to go...
many weeks since i've fit on my bike

husband and miss rode to the cafe yesterday
strapped-in feet = wailing miss
but she enjoyed being out in the autumn air
and we enjoyed our coffees immensely

baby, it's cold outside

coat weather returns
a brand-new bathrobe
for the chilly mornings
the heater's first lighting for 2011
goodbye birkenstocks
changing seasons

today

today we had a lovely time babysitting our little friend
missy was very excited to have her visit
(and sobbed when it was time for her to leave)

today dolly became known as "baby"
with no prompting from me
"baby" got a new nappy
and a loving cuddle

today i have surprised myself
i didn't think i was that kind of girl
the kind that puts pictures of her underwear on the internet
but here they are...

i laughed so hard
my neighbours must have wondered
what on earth was happening

daddy!

"daddy!"
she shouts it with such excitement at the end of each working day
it makes me smile every time

here they've traded places
miss on the outside, daddy on the in
but the fun of discovering the one who's been absent
is just as strong

happy birthday

thank you family and friends for your generous celebration of my birthday
it has been thoroughly lovely

hey baby: only 7.5 weeks til your birthday
(unless you're like your sister...)

down time

i've needed down time these past few weeks
my energy levels ebb and flow
and i'm still learning how to stop before i go too far

things have changed for missy
no more child care or twice-weekly play-days with our little friend
now we rest at home more, together
reading books, climbing on furniture, riding to the playground

miss gave me an early birthday present today:
a very refreshing afternoon nap
(she climbed onto the couch herself and fell asleep
while i was resting in my bed and hoping she'd ask to join me)

doing the strut

doing the strut in her tutu shorts
our faces grace the blog again

the past two weeks

baas, beautiful roses and a mansion in werribee
our nectarine harvest
new tricks
tantrums in public
lunches with friends
making a banner for a new church
organics from the market
a haircut for miss
homemade icypoles
8:30pm bedtimes for me
stronger movements from no.2
nesting - readying the baby clothes
grateful for our fan
telling school goodbye - too tired to teach
studying the bible with other women
avoiding the computer...

afternoon tea for two

our little friend was back today
she stayed close by while missy ran wild at the park
two 16-month-olds to one (pregnant) parent = a major challenge
utmost respect to parents of twins...

our powers combined

12 coloured crayons
missy's new favourite past-time
together we make beautiful cards
to bless others

so lovely to be in cahoots
with my 16 month old accomplice

fresh eggs

fresh eggs
all shapes and sizes
from chickens that have names

generously given
in a bag smelling of fresh basil
from a friend's bountiful garden

makes me wish to have such a garden
and such a way to bless others

more pleasant than i imagined?

new beds
sometimes you sleep in them
sometimes you don't

maybe sleeping on a mat at childcare yesterday was more pleasant than i imagined?
a + 2 and a half hour nap says yes!

(btw, if you zoom in on the photo, you can see missy's morning encounter with a purple whiteboard marker)

becoming known

hey baby...
you're really making yourself known now
heard your heart beating again today
so strong

things are changing here
we're getting ready for you
big sister sleeps in a bed now

the lady in the supermarket thinks you are a boy
will you prove her right?
God already knows...

16 weeks to go...

janome mylock 204d

sweet janome mylock 204d,
how you make my heart sing!

with your perfectly rolled hems
you will cover over my unsteady cutting

and so reasonably priced!

we will make many a creation together
if husband can stand my gushing...

shades of blue and green

from colour-sapping white to a brightening teal
thank-you rit...
oh, shades of blue and green
how i love thee
almost as much as missy loves her bike

new year 2011

eating strawberries
chasing nan's cat
swimming
watching butterflies and dragonflies
reading stories
bike-riding
building and destroying sandcastles
time with family
new year 2011

christmas 2010

running
shouting at birds
feasting
patting kitties
surrounded by family
kookaburra's laughing
drawing
sleeping
christmas 2010