busy bees

It's been 2 weeks since my last post, and boy has it been a busy fortnight!  Little poppet has been fighting off a summer cold this past week, so I will have to relay our happenings quickly while she naps - so much to say, so little time!

Firstly, I can't neglect to mention a fantastic play date with her bestie to a newly discovered gem - MiniQ at Questacon, you were a total winner!
The folks behind this ingenious exhibition have truly thought of everything.. From the water play centre (with bath temperature water to combat the chills), to interactive displays on magnetics/sound/motion (where the children can touch and explore freely) - the poppets were in absolute baby heaven, all their senses stimulated and curiosity peaked.
We will most definitely be making this a regular haunt, a great one for using up all that excess energy and guarantee a lengthy day sleep at the end.

Lots of new tricks learnt by Tils this past couple of weeks too - most notably, Little Miss has mastered the walk! And it is THE cutest thing her Dad and I have seen to date - the wobbly steps with arms raised for balance, her cheeky smile as she proudly demonstrates her new swagger.  I honestly can't get enough of it - and neither can she apparently..a good part of the day now spent doing simple laps of the house, the joy of simply walking enough to keep her happily occupied for what seems like hours at a time. 
It has increased the stealth factor though I have to say - not only much faster than crawling, but without the tell-tale sound of knees shuffling across carpet, she's been able to reach those forbidden corners on several occasions unnoticed, much to her delight. 
It'll really be game on when that walk turns in to a run, fingers crossed a couple more weeks yet!

And some exciting news for me this past week also... After an impromptu visit to a beautiful and admired local shop, I was very lucky to be offered the opportunity to put my Florist hat back on for a few hours each week.
I was a full-time Florist before becoming pregnant, something I really loved, but have to give up temporarily due to all the heavy lifting involved in the job.
I won't lie, I was very nervous before arriving at my first shift on the weekend - worried it had been too long, that I'd be clumsy and awkward.  But to my great relief, it all came flooding back so naturally - and it was so lovely.  Lovely to be working with my hands again, doing something creative and organic.  Lovely to be surrounded by beautiful things and smells.  Lovely to be experiencing a slice of the me I was before I became a Mama.
And what I mean by that is, that whilst being a Mum is most definitely the best thing I have ever done, and brings me more joy than I ever thought possible - it feels good to take time out, and thrive in doing something just for me, something unique to me.

Yep, it's definitely happy days around these parts of late - with end of year celebrations and preparations beginning to gear up, it's assured to be the best Summer yet!

sunny days

 

We have been taking it pretty easy around these parts the past couple of weeks.  With the new house almost all unpacked now (I can't bring myself to sort those last few boxes stacked in the corner, they can wait), we've been making the most of quiet days close to home, exploring the area and enjoying the novelty of fresh surroundings.

With the weather finally starting to warm up, it's been lovely to laze about in the sunshine, delighting in simple rituals like watering the pot plants, or even hanging the washing on the line.  Tilly has become quite the little helper, easily excited by the task of handing me the pegs or gathering up the piles of swept leaves.  Being outside pottering in the garden is a whole new World of games for her, and I'm loving sitting back and observing her discover things for the first time.  Visiting parrots are welcomed with squeals of delight, and nothing sparks her curiosity more than a trail of ants going about their business across the courtyard.

Water has also become a source of great happiness this past week - whether from the muddy waters of a freshly drenched flower pot, the dog's water bowl she will just not stay away from(!), or a playful paddle with her bestie.  Think we will have to invest in a little pool of her own, as these two had a blast splashing about this morning - the perfect distraction when teething woes set in. 

This little pair have really grown quite fond of each other - Saskia always greeted with a hilarious and exuberant 'fist pump', a reaction so far reserved only for her.  Play dates with her little pal are often the highlight of our week - seeing the constant changes in how these two interact is so fascinating, as they master new tricks, continually learning from each other.  They chatter animatedly, share toys openly (for the most part!) and play follow-the-leader around and around and around...While Tilly hasn't quite mastered walking on her own yet, I am bracing myself for when she does - these two will be unstoppable on two legs.  They can be very stealthy when they want to, sudden quietness always a sign they have succeeded in reaching the forbidden stairwell or tempting power points.  As a Team they are quite the crafty pair!

As Tils becomes more mobile each day, I am dreaming of a fun-filled Summer ahead.  Picnics in the park, her first dip in the ocean perhaps, and evening strolls round our neighbourhood enjoying those extra precious hours of sunlight.. It's set to be a beauty, I can't wait.