dancing by the sea

Apparently I looked like Jemima from Play School in my dress. Che loved his vintage cord waistcoat and told me he'd like to wear it every second day until it fits him no more. I said that is fine because the best thing about it is that it's reversible. And on the other side is fabric covered in turtles. Perfect really.

In the background of this photo are just a couple of the many coal ships lining up to get into port. I've seen about 10 on the horizon at times. At night when they're lit up they look a bit magic.

good omens

I think dolphins in the ocean and rainbows in the sky are possibly the best omens for a couple on their wedding day. Blessings to you both x

visiting family

In realising how quickly my little one is growing up I have become a bit concerned about time. This concern was emphasised today when my cousin arrived from New Zealand. He's 11 now and I clearly remember flying to Wellington to meet him when he was three months old. It felt like only a couple of years ago. And today he held my baby. Perhaps it was even scarier for his parents, because I was the two-year-old flower girl at their wedding. Tomorrow we travel north to attend a family wedding. And at the wedding there will be four generations of one family. So many reasons to celebrate.

more sweet memories

Just over one year ago I looked like this;


...and what a miracle it is that a big belly = a new baby, so precious;


we danced by the water...


...and when he was three-months-old he wore mala beads around his neck and we blessed him with the ocean


and with earth from Grandad's garden;


and some days we lay in bed and just spent time being a little family. As we continue to do.


Sweet memories. Today Ché pulled himself up to standing and while leaning on a basket stepped one foot in front of the other. I think they call it walking.

reminiscing

One afternoon, in the fog of early motherhood, shortly after my babymoon, we went down to the water.

And Daniel caught this moment. A moment, that to me, best describes what it is like to be a Mum.

Oh those lips. My Baby Ché and me.

balance

A while back Che decided that he wanted to snooze in our bed, snug between us all through the night. He was unsettled in his cot and I was exhausted from getting up to him. So for a few months he has been sleeping in our bed and we have felt so privileged to have him there. It was so nice to go to bed and cuddle with our baby boy. But some things only last so long and last week I noticed that Che needed more room. He had a few unsettled nights, feeding frequently and generally not 'happy' when he woke in the morning.

I thought perhaps he had reached the stage where he wanted his own space to sleep. I thought it was going to be difficult to get him back into the routine of sleeping in his cot. But the last few nights after cuddles, a story and some milk he has drifted off to sleep in his cot and slept through the night. We play a lullaby rendition of The Eagles to help him relax. Daniel thinks it's a bit strange that Che falls to sleep listening to 'Tequila Sunrise' but I suppose it's just the result of having an 60s rocker as your Grandad.

I truly believe that each family has to find their own way, find their own balance. Months ago we could have kept him in his cot and ignored his obvious need to be close to us. We could have listened to the beliefs of so many people around us who seemed so horrified by the idea of co-sleeping. Instead we enjoyed night after night of peaceful sleep as a family. And we continue to enjoy a beautiful full sleep again. We all feel happy. We all feel balanced.

Me...I find so much comfort in finding my own way as a Mum. Che sleeping through the night feels like I have reached another phase of Mothering. Knowing this has made me realise that intuitive parenting is the best way for me. To listen to my little one and do what I believe is best for him. Balance can also be found in beautiful Japanese tea cups...even better if they're full of tea. Especially this.

pillow love

I found these gorgeous little pillows and I decided that I must have them...soft little reminders that simplicity is definitely beautiful. Shanna Murray transfers her lovely sketches onto fabric and sends them across the oceans to people's homes. And the gorgeous little card she accompanies with the package comes as a nice surprise. I especially love the dandelion design...it's nice to wake up, roll over and read my on my pillow: anything is possible

Che loved the box too