31.5.12

Something Beautiful

something beautiful


This beautiful mobile was lovingly handmade for Sage by our gorgeous friend Jade,

 just because

Isn't she clever? It's such a delightful addition to Sage's nursery, with it's neutral tones and whimsical, far-away feel.

Thank you Jade! We love it xxx



Photo a Day, May is now complete...

But of course there's a Photo a Day, June! I'm going to skip this month, but here is the new list if you are interested in joining in. You could add your own photos to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or your own blog. To find out more info, head to Fat Mum Slim. Happy photo-taking!

Here's your inspiration...


30.5.12

My Personality

my personality - Photo a Day, May

A little bit princessy, a little bit sleepy!

29.5.12

A Number

a number - well, numbers! - Photo a Day, May


Reading at 4 months, as you do!

28.5.12

The Weather Today



No, not a photo of the weather, a photo of under the weather. My precious little Poss has her first cold {cue sad face}.

The last few days have been spent cocooned in the warmth and comfort of home while trying to soothe her sniffles, coughs and sneezes. And, I'll admit...


      each and every sniffle, cough and sneeze just breaks my heart.


I know, I know, it's just a cold, and over her lifetime we'll be faced with many-a-sickness, but this is her first and I simply adore this Little One and can't stand the thought of her suffering.


She struggles to breathe as she nurses, regularly unlatching to take in much needed gulps of air -- my little goldfish.

She struggles to breathe as she sleeps, regularly stirring and noisily wheezing through her congested nose -- my little pug dog.

But through it all, she still has giggles and she still has smiles -- my little trooper.


I'll also confess, there's not much that beats those 'I-just-can't-be-bothered-lifting-my-head-from-your-chest' snuggles together on the couch.

Over the past few days, our vapouriser has been our saviour. We put pure lavender oil in ours to assist with sleep and calmness and we've used saline spray to help decongest her nose.

How have you supported your little ones through sickness? I'd love to hear your tips!



27.5.12

Something Sweet

something sweet - Photo a Day, May


I could never imagine or compose a better life for myself than being lucky enough to spend my days with you, my sweet.




26.5.12

The Shopping Bag Smock Explained...


12 o'clock

12 o'clock - Photo a Day, May

Midday = outside time!

25.5.12

Unusual

unusual - Photo a Day, May

Simon's homemade smock for Sage -- from a heavy duty shopping bag! You've got to give him props for creativity! More on what Sage was up to later...

24.5.12

Something New

something new - Photo a Day, May



My Mother's Day necklace arrived yesterday in the post. Love it!

23.5.12

Technology

technology - Photo a Day, May

Here's a photo from the archives -- me completing a 4th year university assignment (probably Simon's!) on my parent's old faithful. I even changed the tones to 'sepia' to increase the olden-day impact!

It's incredible how quickly times change. It only seems like yesterday that I was sitting at this desk in Launceston, striving to get the best marks I possibly could, on very little sleep, with very little money. Actually those last two points are still very relevant in life today! Maybe life doesn't change that much!

I love that so many elements of what was important to me back then are represented in this photo - stubby holders from the Falls Festival that we used to rip the bottom out of and wear as wrist guards, (so you always had one on hand!), photographs of beautiful friends and my spunky boy, an invitation to a social event (probably Donna's awesome 80's aerobics party!), the smile on my face - young, fresh and carefree, curly hair (GHD's were unheard of and uncalled for!) and even that ugly exposed brick wall, my first taste of independent living- away from my family, and having the time of my life!

And spending WAY too much time at this place...



22.5.12

Pink {& blue}

pink - Photo a Day, May

Sage is a girl! This we know for sure. And despite her having many pink and girly things, I am also trying really hard to incorporate items typically associated with boys into her day to day life.

We all know that gender biases continue to be rife in today's society. If I can do just a little to minimise this difference in Sage's very early development, hopefully the impact of life's future gender stereotypes may be somewhat lessened. Or at the very least, she will have acquired the confidence, preparedness and skills to deal with the 'real world' bombarding her with their image of what she should be as a 'typical female', thus allowing her the freedom to be true to herself and her own identity.

Here are some things in Sage's wish list folder {which seems to be growing by the day!} that I am hoping to purchase {or possibly some generous grandparents perhaps? hint, hint! :-)} which combine both 'girliness' and 'boyishness' elements. Personally, think they'd be beautiful toys for either gender.











And trust me when I say that's about 1/10 of her wish list folder {Yes, I have a problem!}


Dinosaur play sets from Bright Buttons Toys
Honeybake play sets from Amelie's Room  {currently on their way}
Magnetic letters from Three Little Owls
Rocking bird from Urban Baby
Magnifying glass and insect box from Send A Toy
Tool set and picnic hamper from Lime Tree Kids
 

21.5.12

Where I Stand

where I stand - Photo a Day, May

20.5.12

Something I Can't Live Without



something I can't live without... my iphone - my life!  Photo a Day, May


Oh and these two lovelys of course!




is this not the sweetest thing you ever did see? Sage 'holding' her story book! bless

19.5.12

A Favourite Place

a favourite place - Photo a Day, May

Lately Sage's sleep patterns have been -- how should I put it?...


different


Some nights she'll sleep through, others she'll wake 4 times to be comforted or fed. There's no telling what the night will hold.

For the first month of her life, she was unbelievably predictable. Like a miniature alarm clock, she'd wake at 2am and 5am    ON   THE   DOT.

It was truly amazing!

Then between months 2 - 3 she started sleeping through the night - bliss! Going down at about 7.30pm, I would give her a dream feed at approximately 10.30pm, and then she'd usually wake for the day at around 6am. It was heavenly. I honestly wondered what this whole 'sleep deprivation' thing was all about.

Not anymore!


I'd love for her to give me a little clue each evening as to what will come, upon the fall of dark.

Maybe 1 blink for "you can stay up late catching up on ALL of that reading you've been desperate to do, Mumma. I've got this sleep thing covered."

or maybe 2 blinks for "Mumma, as soon as my eyes close, you too should snuggle up for the night - while you can. It's gonna be a long one!"


Which leads me to my current favourite place -

bed

A magical land of soft, velvety pillows that engulf your slumbering head like cotton candy clouds.

bed

A cushiony nest of thick, downy doonas that cradle your body like a cozy cocoon of warmth and comfort.

bed

A place of silence and solitude and rest that I appreciate now, more than ever before!

18.5.12

What I'm Reading {Part 2}

what I will be reading!

Don't you just love it when the Australia Post van pulls up outside the front of your house? I sure do!

Package time!

Just recently I discovered Booktopia and fell in love. 16-books-in-the-shopping-cart-later, kind of love! Here are 3 of the treasures from the brown paper, bubble wrapped package of goodness that arrived on the doorstep today.

Down to Earth {recommended by the beautiful Katie from Grow.Cook.Sew.}
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering {a loved library book during my pregnancy with Sage, I had to own a copy in case we are blessed with a "next time"}
Bloom {by my favourite blogger from Enjoying the Small Things}



According to their blurbs...

Down to Earth by Rhonda Hetzel -- encourages readers to find pleasure and meaning in a simpler life, sharing all of the practical information she has gathered on her own journey. Whether you want to learn to grow tomatoes, bake bread, make your own soap and preserve fruit, or just be inspired to slow down and live more sustainably, Down to Earth will be your guide.

---

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah J. Buckley, MD -- knowledge is power, and birth is power. In this groundbreaking collection of essays, internationally acclaimed birth expert Sarah J. Buckley, MD, empowers parents-to-be with enlightening explorations of what both ancient wisdom and current medical research tells us about birth and early parenting. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the physiology of normal birth (what Buckley calls "undisturbed birth"), and of what is lost when the birth process is treated as a mere medical event.

Meticulously researched, deeply humane and beautifully written, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering helps thoughtful mothers and fathers build their knowledge of and trust in themselves, their babies, and the glorious dances of childbirth and parenting.

---

Bloom by Kelle Hampton -- from the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, a thriving photography career, and great friends. When she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband, Brett, were ecstatic. Her pregnancy went smoothly and the ultrasounds showed a beautiful, healthy, high-kicking baby girl.

But when her new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her two-year-old sister Lainey had at birth. As she watched friends and family celebrate with champagne toasts and endless photographs, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome - a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. Yet gradually Kelle's fear and pain were vanquished by joy, as she embraced the realization that she had been chosen to experience an extraordinary and special gift.

Bloom takes readers on a wondrous journey through Nella's first year of life- a gripping, hilarious and intensely poignant trip of transformation in which a mother learns that perfection comes in all different shapes. It is a story about embracing life and really living it, of being fearless and accepting difference, of going beyond constricting definitions of beauty, and of the awesome power of perspective. As Kelle writes, "There is us. Our family. We will embrace this beauty and make something of it. We will hold our precious gift and know that we are lucky."
---

Can't wait to devour these delicious offerings. Enjoy!

Something I Made

something I made - Photo a Day, May

This incredibly beautiful, positively artistic creation was made by yours truly when I was in primary school, most likely grade 3 or 4. I have got absolutely no recollection of what they are called but the idea of them is to:
  • cut a mini yogurt tub in half
  • fill half with newspaper
  • write a wish on a piece of paper
  • place it inside
  • fill the remaining half with newspaper
  • masking tape the entire body, top to bottom
  • paint and draw a design, front and back - making sure to only colour in one eye of your creation
  • when your wish comes true, colour in the other eye

As you can see, only one of my eyes remain coloured.

When I rediscovered this divine piece of artistic genius a few years ago at Mum and Dad's house, I could not for the life of me remember what my wish was, so curiousity got the better of me. I know that sharing wishes with others usually renders them unachievable, but I think that was destined to happen from the moment I put pen to paper {most likely very soon after I'd received my pen 'licence'!}


don't you just love the spelling of a 9 year old!



Tristan Banks, the love of my life, otherwise known as 'Tug' from Home and Away...



Tug, the swoon-worthy bad boy


Needless to say, I feel the other eye will remain uncoloured forever!


But that's okay, I've come to terms with it.


After all, Tristan has been replaced...


Si: doubly swoon-worthy, not-so-much a bad boy



{Picture of my loveboat from Back to the Bay}

17.5.12

Snack


snack - Photo a Day, May

Can't ... get...enough...

16.5.12

What I'm Reading

I love Alison Jay's beautiful illustrations - can you tell?!


In our household, we ADORE books! It probably has something to do with the fact that we are both teachers, but honestly we have SO, SO many books. Sage had a ready made library in our spare room, long before she was born!

When guiding my Kinder children through their learning journey's, books not only enhanced their knowledge, but they also heightened and enriched their creativity and imaginations throughout our 'play-based learning' program.

Reading aloud is incredibly valuable (almost essential) in developing children's early literacy (reading, writing and speaking) but most importantly, the bond and relationships that are created through sharing stories together -- and the subsequent conversations to be had -- are priceless.

a small selection of the books we read to Sage on a very regular basis - their rhyme and repetition are perfect for early literacy development

We started reading to Sage while she was in utero and even now, at her young age, she is already showing a love and enjoyment for snuggling up and listening to stories. She focuses on the pictures, reaches for the 'touch and feel' fabrics and 'helps' turn the pages and lift the flaps. We try and read to her at least 3 times a day, with 2 books at each session. Such a special experience to share with our little girl.

Here are some handy hints for reading to your child by Mem Fox (author of Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Where is the Green Sheep? and many more favourites!)


Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments

1.      Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.


2.      Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.



3.      Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.



4.      Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.



5.      Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.


6.      Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.

7.      Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.


8.      Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.


9.      Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.


10.  Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.

{From Mem Fox's fantastic website}


After a slight diversion, back to the assigned photo...

what I'm reading - Photo a Day, May

15.5.12

Love

love - Photo a Day, May

If he...

     makes you laugh

     kisses your forehead

     says he's sorry

     makes an effort

     holds your hand

     works hard

     attempts to understand you

then believe it or not...

he's actually quite perfect.

Thank you Si, for being my kind of perfect

{Photo by Murphy Photography}

14.5.12

Grass

grass - Photo a Day, May

'Helping' Mum hang out the washing!

A First Mother's Day