ALBY // 8 MONTHS

"And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you."

~ Kiersten White

ALBY // 6 MONTHS

Oh my word, sweet little Fox. 

Happy half birthday! 

The past two months have been HUGE for you in terms of development and yet you've taken it all in your easy-going, ever-so-smiley stride.

You've gone from sleeping to non-sleeping {and thankfully back to mostly sleeping again!}, non-verbal to verbal {in your own, special little way}, rolling to sitting {and even beginning attempts at crawling} and from quiet to LOUD {usually in relation to whatever your sister is or isn't doing}.

The dawning of each new day sees you awaken beside me - beaming almost brighter than the sun itself. And those eyes? They hold galaxies and oceans and infinite curiousity.

Every fibre of my being bursts with the knowing that you are mine and that I am yours.

x

Alby // 4 Months

Sweet Alby, I write this update as you are spread across my lap, feeding for the umpteenth time today - such is life during the post-immunisation lull. As I glance down, I marvel at how much you've grown in these past two months. You are SO long and so big now, that it's difficult to comprehend that you arrived into this world only four short months ago. While we are nestled together in this rare moment of still, I let my eyes wash over you - soaking all of you in - knowing that your sister will career through the door at any given second, demanding endless kisses and cuddles!

I clasp your dimpled fingers between mine and caress your deliciously soft wrist rolls. Gently, I trace your barely-there eyebrows with my fingertip and fashion you the mini-est of mohawks with the very little hair gracing the top of your head. Your navy, skateboard-adorned t-shirt {a hand-me-down from sweet Owen} makes me smile, if only for it's complete and unmistakable boyishness. The remnants of banana embellishing your pants are a telling sign of your already rampant appetite and despite the fact that I am most certainly not ready for you to begin your 'eating' journey, you seem to have other ideas.

Despite only just waking from your afternoon nap, your eyes are now closed once again. With your tiny hand clutching my chest and your breaths becoming long and steady, I will savor every second of this sweet, sleepy you.





{Alby at 2 months}

Alby // 2 Months

Oh Alby darling, where have these last two months gone? I am trying so desperately hard to cherish and soak in each and every second of this 'newborn' you, but it's slipping through my fingers faster than I could ever want or comprehend. From the moment you arrived, you captured a part of my heart that I never knew existed - perhaps a part that only a mother with a son could ever understand. I am completely and utterly smitten with you and feel I could not possibly love you any more than I do right this very moment {although I can already sense that I may just love you even more tomorrow}.

You are endlessly patient and oh so snuggly. You feed like a dream and sleep so very well. Your huge smiles radiate pure happiness; the biggest ones saved for your adoring sister. You dislike travelling in the car, but will bear it as long as your hand is being held. You are on the verge of laughter and are growing stronger by the day. You are calm and serene and make everything in the world appear that much brighter.

I will strive to do and be the absolute best for you, beautiful boy. You deserve more than I could ever give, but I will spend my life ensuring that I give you all that I have.

xxx

The Catch-Up {Part 2}

During our final, newborn-free days, we've been on a mission to complete Sage's monthly videos -- a two year project which although, at times, has felt incredibly arduous, is one that ultimately I'm so thankful we've stuck with 'til the very end. Already we look back on the months {and now years} passed and exclaim with wonder at all they have entailed. Where our tiny, baby girl once lay, a sprightly, beautiful little lady now stands in her place...

                                                                                 ....................................................

                                                                                 ....................................................

                                                                                 ....................................................

                                                                                 ....................................................

                                                                                 ....................................................

                                                                                 ....................................................

To see all of Sage's monthly videos, click here

The Catch-Up

As the months pass us by in a flurry, with truly undeniable haste, we are so very aware of how fleeting your moments of "baby" have become - only to be replaced by a little girl with a firm grasp on the world of toddler-hood. Each day is filled with new joys and challenges as we navigate the ever-changing waters of your hilarity and charm... and your head-strong spiritedness! but, my darling, we wouldn't want it any other way.

x

............................................................................

Here are your adventures as a 15 month old...

 

............................................................................

 

as a 16 month old...

............................................................................

and as a 17 month old...

Sage's 14 Month Video {& 15 Month Photos}

 

Somehow I've managed to fall an entire month behind in posting your video and photo updates, but this week, "the catch up" is at the very top of my to-do list! Despite the busyness of life, I still love taking snippets of time in the quiet of the evening to compile and edit moments - both the memorable and the mundane - and to reflect on just how quickly you are developing and growing before our very eyes. Even while sorting through {the 1000's of} images and videos from just the past month, I can see incredible changes to your independence, your understanding and your personality.  You amaze us every single day! Your Daddy and I often look at one another and shake our heads in wonder as you master new skills and attempt unfamiliar words and sounds {even if your favourite phrase at the moment is "no more" every time we are about to start eating!} I know we are probably a little biased, but we think you are the cleverest, most beautiful little girl we have ever laid eyes on!

 

Here are your adventures as a 14 month old...

 

 

 



Sage's 13 Month Video {& 14 Month Photos}

So very late, but so very loved!

{Here are your adventures as a 13 month old...}

Sage's 12 Month Video {& 13 Month Photos}

Some days see me longing for the newborn you once were, so tiny and reliant on your mumma, seemingly only moments ago

 

Some days see me dreaming of the life you'll lead in the years to come; fearing your inevitable heart ache, delighting in thoughts of your unbridled happiness

 

but each day sees me cherishing every single moment of this 13 month old you.

 

{Here are your adventures as a 12 month old...}

Sage's 11 Month Video {& 12 Month Photos}

{A special message from Daddy this month...}

Sage at 12 months?... No stone left unturned!

The sparkle in your bright eyes brings us so much joy each day. We are captivated by the love you have for life; every day is an adventure filled with many new discoveries. You are constantly on the move; exploring, fossicking, discussing.

You find the world around you so exciting. There is always so much to do that you find little time for sleep. Bedtime is around 8.30pm {after a VERY late afternoon sleep), and you usually rest soundly till 12am - then the shenanigans begin! Mumma snuggles and comfort feeds are the order of the night from this point onwards, until morning. I take over from here - we gobble down a breakfast of Weetbix, yogurt and toast, we have a turn on the potty, read stories and play. Once Mum rises, your day consists of the following achievements, likes and dislikes:

You adore...
 
Opening cupboard doors, particularly so you can access and 'chat' on the home phone
Eating snow peas, carrots and beans out of the garden
Your car seat facing forwards
Signing 'milk', 'more', 'head' and 'finished' and pointing to objects when you want something
The toilet - especially unrolling the toilet paper and flushing the button... and being in there whenever we are!
Going to the pool and blowing bubbles under water
Listening to Justine Clarke's "Songs That Make You Smile"
Sharing Nutella on toast with mum
Being very expressive with your hands and arms while speaking
Flinging food off your high chair to 'share' with Rudi
Walking with objects in your mouth and hands
Spending time outdoors
Pressing the buttons on EFTPOS machines and traffic light crossings
Saying your new words - "toes", "Pa", "Nan", "dah dah" (duck), "nah nah nah nah" (no), "ta" (thank you) and "rrrrrrrrrr" (trumpeting like an elephant)
and WALKING EVERYWHERE!

You're not so fond of...
Sleeping for more than 3 hours at a time
Mum walking out of the room
Putting your nappy on
Having a massage after bath time 

Thank you beautiful girl for one tremendous year. May no stone be left unturned during your journey through life. We love you so, so much.

Love Dad Dad

Here are your adventures as an 11 month old...

One {Her Birthday Afternoon}

After our delightful morning together we headed to the park to share in some delicious sushi and very decadent chocolate, pecan fudge cake; complete with a singular candle and "happy birthdays" sung by her adoring parents. We played and explored and delighted in the wonder that was our little girl's 'official' first birthday.

Sage's 10 Month Video {& 11 Month Photos}

Our sweet little girl is 11 months old. How quickly this year has passed us by. I cannot believe that in such a short time Sage will be a year old. ONE! Memories of my pregnant tummy and her incredible arrival into this world are still so vivid, yet at the same time seem a lifetime ago.

Here are her adventures as a 10 month old... {including our Christmas celebrations with the Davis family on December 22nd}

Sage's 9 Month Video {& 10 Month Photos}

Our sweet little wren is now 10 months old and truly becomes even more delightful {and delicious!} with each passing day. We are so, so thankful that she chose to bless our lives with her love and light and laughter.

Here are her adventures as a 9 month old...

Sage's 8 Month Video {& 9 Month Photos}

 

Sage, you... at 9 months?     All kinds of wonderful.

Everything fascinates you; you explore your world with pure exuberance and excitement. Speed crawling and pulling yourself up onto anything within reach are your perfected ways of making new discoveries, usually while mummy's and daddy's backs are turned for mere seconds. Squeals of delight and animated laughter ensue as your attempted escapes and mischievous plans are foiled by being scooped up and smothered in kisses and cuddles.

Moments of tears are so, so rare - only ever if you are very tired or hurt. Our days are filled with high pitched squeals, infectious cackles and so many smiles. You chat incessantly, exploring sounds and words - your favourites being "dadad", "mumma", "warro" {hello} and "mmmmm" {when you see a cow}.

You adore...
being read to and turning the pages and lifting the flaps of books yourself {Dear Zoo is your current favourite}
taking out all of the pieces of your three wooden jigsaw puzzles - over and over again
playing with all of Rudi's dog toys, just as he prefers yours!
watching us brush our teeth and then gently rubbing our toothbrushes on your lips
other people wearing glasses, sunglasses and hats and trying to take them off
swimming at our local pool and bath time - in fact, anything at all water related
spending time outside - pulling at {and eating} the grass, grabbing handfuls of {and eating} the dirt, and watering the garden
clapping hands, waving bye-bye and fake coughing and laughing
listening to "London Bridge" on my iPhone
touching the faces of other babies and being in the company of older children
holding coffee mugs and pretending to drink from them
picking up the most teeny, tiny things from within the carpet {your fine motor skills are phenomenal!} and putting them in your mouth, of course!
being sung to sleep and laying on Daddy's chest

You're not so fond of...
wearing a hat... actually, wearing any clothes in general!
eating your previously much-loved homemade purees, preferring to eat whatever Mum and Dad have instead
sitting for long distances in your car seat
being interrupted on your quest for Rudi's food bowl
having a distance of more than 30 centimetres between us, at any time

Gone are the days when you ignored Rudi - he is now your absolute favourite 'thing' to chase, pull, observe and chastise, much to his disgust! Rudi has been ever so patient with you, even though there are many times that we're sure he has been offended by your overly boisterous {but loving!} displays of affection. We are trying to teach you to be gentle and pat his fur rather than grab, however to no avail as yet! When he barks at strangers walking by, you shake your arm at him and make a low growling sound, as if to tell him off. 

Both of your bottom teeth have popped through and are growing by the day, and your two top teeth are sitting just below the surface, ready to emerge. During the day, you still sleep in my arms - two hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Your nightly sleeps have been very inconsistent, however two wakes {with two feeds} is generally the norm. 5.30 - 6.00 is 'rise and shine' time and bed is usually at 7.30 of an evening. You still regularly breast feed throughout the day and make it very obvious when you're thirsty through persistent shirt tugs and making the milk sign with your hand.

We spend our days reading and playing, singing and walking, attending baby groups and swimming, gardening and house keeping... snuggling and loving.

Thank you beautiful one, for being all kinds of wonderful, not just at 9 months, but each and every day. We love you so, so much

 

 

 

Here are your adventures as an 8 month old...

 

Sage's 7 Month Video {& 8 Month Photos}

 

 

Oh Sagey... a month filled with so many exciting discoveries! New words, exuberant movements and those never ending displays of your vibrant, shining personality. You are a true delight and give us insurmountable smiles, each and every day.

 

Here are your adventures as a 7 month old...