riding bikes on the farm

hello spring!

our garden is blooming
with the delights of spring

birthday preparations begin

baking cupcakes for playgroup next week
almost stolen off the bench by the birthday girl!

a day of discontent

Today is a discontented day for me, for no real reason. Since little sister's birth, I have struggled to be content with many aspects of my life. Her presence brings me one step closer to the (family) life I hope for, but also somehow illuminates the aspects of our present circumstance that are not part of my ideal. If you pray, please pray that I would be content with what I have right now, remembering that where I am is where God has purposefully placed me, and I am not beyond him here.

Above is a picture of big sister in the midst of a pom-pom making adventure - crafting together is something I look forward to doing more and more together as my girls grow.

Below is a Benedictine prayer recounted in Simon Carey Holt's book, 'God Next Door,' which helps to realign my heart when I'm struggling with discontent.

Lord, this cell is to be my home
May your holy power furnish it
in peace and decorate its four walls
with holiness so that your sacred
presence will also abide here.
Lord, it is not large or grand
but it is to be my living place.
May I find within its close quarters
refreshment and your sacred space.
May your spirit of prayer
be my frequent guest and welcome housemate.
May the spirit of praise
Guide every task and deed performed here.
Lord, this cell will be a place for living,
sleeping, praying; it will be a shrine
and a place for healing.
May my door stand open to all who are in need -
as a sign of the posture of my heart.
May peace, love and beauty flow out from
this cell of mine in all four directions
and up and down.
May your silent echo be heard
by all of those whose lives surround me.
The birds of the air have nests;
Foxes have dens;
May this cell of mine
be blessed by you, my God
as a home for me...
and for you as well.
Amen.

sunny days

from big sister's mouth

said by big sister this evening, without prompting:
"love you daddy. love you mummy. love you (little sister)."
awww...

from big sister's hand

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...