down in the woods

I was making dinner the other night when Che asked if he could go for a walk. Daniel promptly grabbed his camera and they went exploring down a well-known trail in the woods near our house.  

Since that afternoon walk in autumn so much has changed. Che is now four years and four months, a big brother and a little boy. No more baby face! He's a gentle creature; curious and fearful in equal measure. 

yesterday

...we wandered up to the local school where, miraculously, Che transformed into a sweet little skeleton and Daniel stole the bike. Poet watched happily from her little red caboose and I noticed autumn creeping in on the trees. 

We got home just before the storm broke and just in time for Che to get his boardies on and dance in the sky water. 

newness

I feel like I'm only just now coming out of the babymoon cave, just like all those blooms that have blossomed 'round here. It's nice to venture out and see the colour, spot the freesias, magnolias and daisies that are decorating the gardens.

Regardless of the fact that Poet sleeps really well at night, I'm still tired. If I do go out for a few hours I feel extra weary that night. It still astounds me that we live in a world where mumas are expected to get up and go, every day. I'm so thankful that I didn't feel the need to do that, wasn't inclined to race out of the house when she was oh so small. I'm still taking each day as it comes, still going with the flow. During the day she feeds, and feeds, and has a little more milk just in case. I forgot how much a newborn feeds. But gosh it feels good to know her chubby cheeks and little thigh rolls are made from the best food she'll ever have. Hooray for breastfeeding and all that milky goodness (and precious, oh-so-special bonding time).

With this warm spring sunshine that has all-of-a-sudden arrived there's the thought of mornings at the beach, lazy afternoons in the hammock and mango smoothies.

I'm tired, but I'm happy.

And, Daniel took these photos. I haven't quite worked out how to hold a camera while wearing Poet in the sling.

remember this photo...

"Next to letterbox number 33 on my wet wintry street. The branches of the cherry blossom are growing moss like bundles."

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wintry

Four years ago on the Queen's birthday long weekend our seaside suburb was lashed by torrential rain and the wildest of winds. Daniel and I had just moved into this house, I was six months pregnant with Che and we didn't own a heater. Not that the heater would have made much difference because we were without power for three days. I remember sitting on the couch, watching the fifty-year-old gums sway and bend, wishing I could make myself a big bowl of pasta.

This weekend hasn't been quite so bad. We still have power, we have the warmth of a heater and a well-stocked fridge and pantry. But the rain has been persistent, keeping us indoors and rugged up. Our street is the perfect representation of our winter; wet, mossy, gradually becoming more bare. And I wish I could venture out into it, but the thought of getting soaked and coming home with muddy shoes (if I owned a pair of Hunters it would be a different story) isn't so appealing.

So while the wind howls and the clouds loom I'll watch from the window and hope that soon the sun will return.

Ps. Hello to new readers who have ventured here from far and wide...it's lovely to meet you.

"c'mon" he says

While I rested, they walked. "Exploring," they call it. Che in his very new Mama-knitted vest. Daniel with his new fancy lens and Glidecam. Beautiful autumn bokeh.

bump: autumn dreaming

As hard as I tried I just couldn't find a leaf as big as the belly. This week baby grew beyond expectations. When I was growing Che my belly was chubby and squishy. This belly right now is the exact opposite: a hard, round, heavy ball with rather persistent whole-body stretches from the little one inside. I regularly feel a foot pressing onto me and I tickle it back. 32 weeks now.

I woke with a sore throat this morning so tomorrow will include a sleep in, vegie soup, nettle tea, lemon water and lots of rest. We as a family are feeling so grateful for our health and wellbeing this weekend. Daniel's mum was driving Che around this morning when all-of-a-sudden the breaks failed on her car. Thankfully, oh so thankfully, she was going slow and no-one was hurt. Tonight I held him a little tighter and said a few extra 'i love yous' while lying next to him as he fell to sleep.

I just cannot articulate how precious my children are to me. All you mothers understand, I know you do. x