First Birthday

And all of a sudden, he was 1. Happy Birthday Kyan James. You completed our family and you make me smile every day. Love Mummy xx

Around the World in 80 Clicks

I love this. I first read about it this morning, here on Tiny Happy, my favourite blog ever. It's a kind of tour around the world, through the eyes of mothers. Each one writes 5 things they love, or maybe don't love so much, about being a mother. Here's my contribution.

1. I love that becoming a mother showed me how resilient and brave I could be. I've gone from being someone who freaked out about having a blood test to a much stronger woman who's been through a massive hemorrhage, post natal depression, years of sleep deprivation... For me, motherhood kind of opened up the boundaries of extreme. Showed me how bad things could get, but also how good. From the agony of labour to the joy of seeing your baby smile for the first time, becoming a mother has widened my range of experiences.

2. The sharing of ideas, the empathy, the understanding, the support... The connection to other mothers is amazing, and was one of the unexpected joys of motherhood, for me.

3. One thing I dislike about motherhood is sleep deprivation. neither of my children have ever been huge fans of sleeping. A night of unbroken sleep is a major gift to me, and a rare occurrence. I am tired. Getting up in the night and early in the morning has taken a lot of adjustment!

4. Becoming a mother made me a better Early Childhood Teacher. Teaching is my passion and I thought I was pretty good at it... but when Isla was born, it gave me a whole new understanding of just how precious those children in my care were, how much of a responsibility I had to them and their families, and how trusting those parents were to leave their babies with me. All the theory I had learned was futile in comparison to the actual experience.I became more sympathetic, more patient, more gentle and more holistic in my approach to teaching.

5. I love the inspiration, the constant inspiration my children provide me with. They make me want to sew fairy dresses, make banana cakes, blow bubbles, look at clouds, sew quilts, make scrapbooks, take photos, write stories, sing songs, dance around, go for walks... Really live.

I could never thank them enough for all that they've given me.

Autumn Light

An extremely long break between posts. People have been married, babies have been born, trips have been taken, meals cooked, crafts crafted, stories read, music danced to... Our home, as always, has been a hive of busy family life, a whirlwind that just never stops!

Lately, the leaves have been changing and falling, and everything seems to be bathed in the glorious golden light of Autumn, making the ordinary extraordinary. And this light... Well it was well worth a post.

Happy Birthday

Isla; Quirky, inquisitive, beautiful, intelligent, feisty, funny, kind.

Happy Birthday xx

Hi Luka

This van is for Luka, born last Tuesday.
Isn't it funny how you can love a baby so much, before you've even met them?

He's a lucky little man, his Mum is one of my favourite people.

I chose the African Animal print because his Mum and Dad lived in Africa for a while. A nerve-racking time for me as his Mum regaled me with stories of Malaria shots and spiders the size of dinner plates.

She's pretty tough, Lukas' Mum xx

Waitangi Weekend

This Waitangi Weekend, I've been sorting out Isla and Kyans' rooms. Have I been reading too Much NZ House and Garden recently? I feel the need to rearrange a lot. Luckily my children don't seem to mind. And my husband? Well after 5yrs of marriage he's pretty used to it.
The china Kombi van that was the inspiration for these, a Kookaburra toy from a friend across the ditch ,shoes to be grown into, and on the wall, embroidery by Nana.

The stripey quilt made by my Mum, on the feeding/rocking chair.

Shadow portrait of me pregnant with Kyan, done by my Dad and I.

I love Kyans' room, it's such a calming space.

Islas' room. Dolls quilt hand stitched by yours truly as I waited for her to arrive.

Some of Islas' treasures. Both of my children have a book which each month, I write a little spiel about what we've been up to, what they have learned, things that have happened in our family, and a photo. It's kind of like a life story for both children. Islas' one sits here on her pink shelf. I can't believe I've been doing it for nearly three years! The Bunnykins moneybox was mine.

Art Deco dressing table rescued from a garage sale and restored. Embroidered cloths by Nana

Thrifted vintage dress, the prototype castle and mouse

Crochet blanket made by Nana. What special handmade family treasures have you made or passed on to your children?

Walking on Sunshine

It's shaping up to be a fantastic Summer here in this hemisphere. These images were all taken from where I reclined in the morning sun at Ohiwa Beach, appreciating the small moments with my beautiful family. These are the types of hot, idyllic days that I can refer back to during the Winter when everything seems grey and unfriendly.

For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.
James Baldwin