28

At 5.43 this morning my little boy stroked my cheek and wished me a happy birthday. He snuggled up beside me, his cold limbs curled into my warmth and we lay there dozing for a few minutes before his little sister woke. And then, after birthday kisses and cuddles, Daniel took them both out of the bedroom, closed the door, and gave me the best birthday present ever - a sleep in.

Perhaps life is so rich when you have children, because it's the little things that mean so much.

I'm 28 today. Life is wonderful.

Tim and Kesh came to visit and we went wandering around the gardens. Tim took photos, Kesh made my children laugh 

brown paper packages

...are best when they're tied with up with string (go on, sing it, I know you want to). The parcel delivery man has been on our doorstep rather frequently of late as I get all the pressies organised. Che and I have been making our Christmas wrapping paper and I'll tie each present with red and white twine. Personal, simple, special. Just the way I like it.

The next 10 days are busy, busy as I try to finish all the editorial work that's due before Christmas. Add into the mix Che's last week at Montessori, a meeting with a wonderful woman that will hopefully result in plans for a very exciting project, Christmas tree decorating (although I hear our wet winter has led to very small and sad looking Christmas trees), yoga classes and Christmas baking. Whirlwind I know.

I'll also be posting two book giveaways - one for your children and one for the Mumas (it's a book every. single. muma. should read).

I hope in the midst of fairy lights, candy canes and deadlines you find some space to "settle in and settle down".

1. handmade ornaments from the lovely Gwen at fable and folly (via ella at little red caboose)

2. "Poet's Rabbit" - arrived wrapped in a map and tied with teal string. Melissa custom-made it so beautifully.

tiny dancer

Poet attended her first wedding on Saturday night. The verdict? She likes to party. Seriously party. She even thought she was important enough to hang out at the bridal table for a while there, entertaining the bridesmaids between the main and dessert. As for this week's feats...she's got the coy 'I know I'm gorgeous but I'll act nonchalant' look mastered and she's getting rather good at blowing raspberries. Dribble, anyone?

The past few days she has been referred to as Miss Squawk-a-lot...hmmm, she looks sweet but she can scream like the best of them.

Dress: an op-shop find from years ago. I remember thinking: "I'm sure I'll have a baby girl one day, I'll buy it just in case."

Shoes: all about heidi

p is for party

Friday morning 6.30am: "Mum is it my birthday today?"

6.31am (after I nudged Daniel to wake up): "Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to YOU!"

6.33am: Che stands up, looks at himself and declares that he is most definitely bigger. We then ask him to look under the bed and in all his hurried excitement he pulls the presents out and bumps his head. "I'm ok!" He opens some books, a ruler, some clothes and, finally, the lego jet plane. His response: "I have wanted this for all of my life, for years and years. It is wonderful! It is amazing! Let's build it now!"

So while I baked cookies and made sandwiches and prayed for the sun to stay and the wind to stop, Daniel and Che started building lego. A few hours later we headed to the park that was, unfortunately, wildly windy. Gale force. Like nature was celebrating the birth of Che - my air child - it has been windy on his 1st, 2nd, 3rd and now 4th birthday. We played at the park for half-an-hour then headed to Mama and Popa's house for tea, cake and party food (in the calm that was shelter).

The lego cake was a hit (oh the vivid sweetness that is food colouring!), the party hats made for lots of fun and the wild duck sitting on her soon-to-be-hatched eggs in Popa's vegie patch provided a little bit of 'farmyard' entertainment. I was reminded, like I am every year, that with little kids it's the simple things that are the best. Who knew that star-shaped vegemite sandwiches, party poppers and stripy straws could keep a bunch of four-year-olds happy?

My favourite moment of the party was when Che's little (girl) friend Vali came running back into the house to give him a handmade pressie: "Che, this is a pink clay love heart that I made for you," she said. And then we all melted.

The night before his birthday I cuddled with him in bed and, like every year around this time, I shared with him the story of his birth.

"Four years ago I had some niglings in my belly and I knew that you were coming. You were about to arrive in the world. So we went to the hospital and after a few hours there you were born. Daddy cut the umblicial cord that was attached to your belly button and I cuddled you for hours and hours. You made me a Muma that day."

"How did I make you a Muma?"

"Well, before you were born I didn't have any children."

And then he starts crying and exclaiming: "You didn't have any children!"

"It's ok sweetie, I've got you now. You and Poet are my children."

"And you're our Muma."

And then he fell asleep.

B is for birth-day, f is for four and l is for love. A sweet friend of mine sent me a text message yesterday and informed me that a four-year-old asks an average of 437 questions per day. I think four will be fun, frivolously so.

growing up (too fast)

Every morning for the past week or so I have woken to the sound of Che's footsteps. And every morning he comes around to my side of the bed, gently pats me on the arm and says: "Mum, is it my birthday today?"

Che turns four on Friday and we've been counting down the sleeps. He requested a party in the park with his school friends, a special cake and some party hats. I also told him that because it's his birthday he can request his favourite meal for dinner. "Mum, I'd really like avocado, strawberries, cheese and tomatoes please." I love his healthy choice of meal but he thought about it some more and has since decided on "...pizza from the pizza man with pineapple." So p from the p-man with p it is.

He's grown up a lot since he became a big brother. He's using words like 'brilliant', 'ginormous' and 'outstanding' and his made-up stories have become innocent forms of genius. Yesterday he sat in his room for an hour reading The Big Book of Richard Scarry and after that he built me a robot from lego. On Sunday mornings we bake pancakes together and just this week, on his new vintage 'school-boy' desk he has drawn pictures of our family which Daniel and I have been a bit teary over.

My beautiful boy turns four on Friday. And I wonder where oh where those four years have gone.

happiest day...

Daniel Grey! My love turned 30 today (actually, he turned 33 but he likes to say 30 so we'll just go along with that). He woke to handmade cards and camera gear wrapped in a "che painting". Then we all bundled into the car and visited a brand new little cafe in our seaside town. It's got a bit of a city vibe which is always appreciated 'round these parts. We ate like birthday kings and queens, visited the park a little later in the day and then celebrated with the grandparents and gobbled up Mama's famous cheesecake.

Birthdays are such special times and in our house they're celebrated with lots of love and happiness. Daniel gets to choose his favourite dinner tonight. So what does this 30-year-old request? It's absolutely a la carte and deserved of awards, I tell you.

Beef nachos. Oh, he's just a big kid!

mother's day and a prayer

When Che came home from Montessori last week with a hand felted oatmeal soap, a little heart tag and a very big smile, I felt every bit the Muma of a 3.5 year old. There is something about a handmade gift from school that spells love. And family. All the kisses and cuddles in the world, tied with string, a reminder that I am his Muma and will be, forever. Yesterday when he wished me a happy mother's day I thanked him for making me a Muma. And for changing my world.

A beautiful friend of mine emailed me a prayer last week. One for all mothers, the world over. I am sure you all know someone who could benefit from hearing it, reading it or receiving it.

We pray

For new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;

For expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;

For those who are tired, stressed or depressed;

For those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;

For those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;

For those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;

For those who have children they do not want;

For those who raise children on their own;

For those who have lost a child;

For those who care for the children of others;

For those whose children have left home;

And for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,

And that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,

Living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.

Hear our prayer.

PS. The winner of the Keepsakes giveaway (thanks to the random number generator for choosing) is Kristi. Congratulations and Happy Mother's Day lovely lady. x

eggy goodness

We rose early, to the excited squeals of the little one who found mini chocolate eggs scattered on the rug. Then we spent the day painting and hunting them and came home with a big bag of chocolate loot. And I'm wondering how on earth we are going to eat them all. Che and I made raisin bread too - sweetened with two tablespoons of marmalade jam. Highly recommended, the recipe can be found in this fabulous book.

It's been raining, often pouring, like it does every Easter around these parts. The kettle has boiled a few too many times today and I'm thinking of upping my self-discipline and saying no to another egg - the chocolate is causing reflux and unsettled sleep. Sometimes the sugar just isn't worth it, although the sweetness....well, you just can't ever get enough of that.

For sweet blog goodness go visit my friend and neighbour Em at The Beetle Shack.

all snug and cosy...

and warm inside. That's how I felt after my birthday weekend. Daniel went out early on Saturday morning to photograph the sunrise and came home with a bunch of flowers and a paper bag full of freshly baked croissants. The croissants were, without doubt, the best I've ever had. We topped them with lashings of raspberry and blueberry jam and we enjoyed them with a few cups of tea. I opened my presents from my boys, a collection of books I'd been coveting for ages, and then headed out to teach my pregnant students.

In the afternoon two friends from Sydney celebrated with hot chocolate and brownies at one of my favourite local cafe's (Daniel made a film there a few months ago) and I treated myself to some ink & spindle goodness in the gorgeous new gallery, the pear house.

That evening, dinner at mum and dad's and on Sunday, I taught an all-day birth workshop to seven pregnant couples. Most of the "Pregnant and Prepared" workshops that I teach attract first-time parents. But on Sunday, six of the the seven couples were already parents and many were preparing for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). It was incredibly inspiring to see the determination in these pregnant women and the unwavering support from their partners.

Friends of mine and past students came to share the birth story of their beautiful baby girl, Nylah Pixie. It was the first time I had met Nylah and while holding her she found my gaze and chatted with me in her coos and aahhs for a good five minutes. Her muma had attended my classes throughout her entire pregnancy and it became so obvious to us that Nylah recognised my voice from when she was in the belly. The connection was precious and the moment absolutely melted my heart. Nylah's birth was swift and powerful - her muma's waters breaking soon after her blessingway. Nylah swam into the world a mere three hours later.

Sunday concluded with a big bowl of vegetables and noodles cooked in homemade chicken stock. And it was cool enough to wear my new toast slippers. The perfect end.

bump: birthday belly

25 weeks pregnant and 27 years old. My Mum and Dad hosted a little birthday party for me complete with balloons and a hearty meal of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings (in celebration of my birth in Ascot, England). Che helped me blow out the candles on my homemade raspberry and peach sponge cake. It was the perfect end to a beautiful day - full of special treats and my favourite people. I love birthdays.

celebrations

Yesterday was typically Australian in every way. It was hot, hot, hot, we sat around a BBQ for dinner and we celebrated with beer and cheesecake (no beer for me). It was also my dad's birthday and rather ironically, he's an Englishman who celebrates the day of his birth on Australia Day. Apparently it was a good enough excuse to move Down Under.

I spent most of the afternoon and evening sitting under the grapevine with my feet in a bucket of water - the perfect way for a pregnant woman to stay cool. But then, after a while, I found the inspiration to finally pick up the camera. I'm still getting used to the new buttons, learning from scratch again. Which, truth be told, I find confronting and annoying. I've got a book that so accurately describes me based on my day of birth - "dreamer, idealist" - it says. In my world, everything needs to be perfect. At least I'd like it to be so. When I take not-good-enough photos I really struggle. I hate not being able to do something by myself, hate having to ask for help. But, thankfully, Mr patient and so-good-at-explaining Daniel is there beside me with a calm voice and a thorough knowledge of the camera. When I take the time to listen I actually get a lot out of it (Yes, I admit it, rather sheepishly).

Next year is Dad's big 6-0...huge celebrations are called for and they will, most definitely, and without doubt, include a good-ole-BBQ. Because a birthday and Australia Day just wouldn't be the same without it.

A Christmas film for you

Merry Christmas from dAniEL gReY on Vimeo.

I know I've been missing from this space for so long. Life has been full - I've been writing, cooking, sleeping and growing.

It is with every ounce of gratitude that I thank you for coming here and sharing such beautiful words of comfort, encouragement and inspiration.

I'm signing off till early January, with a more detailed post about just how blessed our 2011 is going to be.

wishing you an absolutely beautiful Christmas.

Jodi x

300 - an udderly perfect reason to celebrate

To coincide with 300 posts my lovely friend Fliss from udder has offered to give one of you a handmade brooch from her unique collection. Made with love from vintage fabric it is absolutely adorable and perfect for you. Just leave a comment and I'll draw a winner next Tuesday...I'll post the little guy any where in the world.

For more udderly beautiful creations go see Fliss' shop.

che che turns 3

Last night I told Che that three years ago I had pains in my belly and I knew he was coming. Daniel told him I was making noises like: "oohhh, ooohhhh, ooohhh". When we had family and friends over this afternoon for cake and celebrations Che told them that three years ago: "...I was a baby and the umbilical cord was on my belly button and Daddy cut it."

The fact that he's old enough to retell his birth story (or at least snippets of it) just mesmerizes me.

This morning he ventured into the lounge room to find a tee pee and some surprises within it. Last week he told me he wanted a strawberry cake (I was so relieved that I didn't have to mold sponge cake into a rocket ship) and I immediately opened to Sipi's Strawberry Cake in the stunningly beautiful Falling Cloudberries. While he played this morning I baked and then we ventured to the beach and the park for play in the sun and birthday treats (dixie cup ice-cream).

He really gets the 'birthday' thing now which means he really is getting big. He's such a big, little boy but he'll always be my baby.

Happy happy birthday Che Che. Thank you so very much for making me a Muma. It's the very best thing I've ever done. I love you so much, even more and even more again. xxx

birthdays are the best

Tomorrow is Daniel's birthday. Happy birthday Beautiful Man. You make our world wonderful. I love you a millions times over. And then over again.

New chalkboard walls come in handy around celebrations. And see those primary coloured balloons in the background? They're three-footers. And when they're pumped full of helium they've got some pull on them. So much so that if you were a lightweight you may actually go floating.

I know you're all clever cookies and so it won't take you long to figure out how and why we used those balloons. What fun. Apparently Jodi and jumping and graceful and heels can make it into the same sentence. And the same photo.

If you've come via Marvelous Kiddo.........hello! Lovely to meet you.

fancy dress parties are the bestest

Today we partied little kid style and Che took on the persona of a pirate. I searched out dress-ups and found Wovenplay, a NY based clothing company who create to-die-for dress-ups - the kind that I would request in adults sizes. I thought about purchasing the $250 pirate costume for about 3 seconds and then resorted to the wardrobe. The wardrobe that already contained everything he ended up wearing (I only had to buy the skull scarf which was $10 a Big W). The best costumes should be the ones that cost next to nothing. The ones that get worn as every day wear.

It was pretty special to watch him today in all his cuteness - eating fairy bread and jumping on the blow-up castle. He was so patient as he lined up to get his face painted and watching him sit there so still and quiet I got a little gushy. He giggled as the paintbrush touched his skin because it tickled and when he saw his face in the mirror he was a little overwhelmed. Before long he had a balloon sword and piece of birthday cake and the tears of a tired pirate who missed his afternoon nap.

My little pirate...may there be many more opportunities to dress-up and be silly. We had fun today, the 3 of us. So much fun.