13/52

Hunting for Easter treats in the garden this morning - the cotton tail kills me.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series for 2013

rewind

I've been absent from this space for a little while - not for lack of enthusiasm, but rather a feeling of not having much of interest to say... It's been one of those weeks when I've felt absolutely run off my feet, but if someone were to ask me what I'd been up to, for the life of me I couldn't name a single thing - total blank???

As I write this I feel absolutely exhausted - my eyes keep darting to the clock, counting down the minutes until it's not totally embarrassing to be calling it a night...come on 9 o'clock!!!

In the meantime, I wanted to journal and share some happy snaps taken weekend before last...

A morning frolic through the Rose Garden at Old Parliament House, gelato by the Lake in the afternoon sun with Granny & Grandad, and a delicious dose of people-watching - we celebrated Canberra's 100th Birthday among 1000s of others, yet were completely content within the bubble of our own little family.

Looking over these photos and remembering the day, I feel a little lighter and somewhat recharged.  The warmth of her smile does wonders it's true, and I'll be heading up to bed on a higher note now.

Wishing you all a lovely, lazy Easter break with your loved ones - let's hope time is on our side, and the minutes pass like hours.

12/52

Sunday morning mooching....nothing sweeter than a onesie-clad toddler happily singing along with Play School, totally unaware of her audience.

Taking part in Jodi's portrait series for 2013.

11/52

Entering a new phase, Dress Ups.. she leaves a trail of glitter wherever she wanders these days.

Taking part in Jodi's portrait series for 2013

beautiful mess

One of the things I marvel at most since becoming a parent is how easily happiness can be found in the most simplest of things.

Pure delight for Matilda from only a container of water, and access to that far-too-tempting garden dirt... an equal measure of entertainment for us adults observing.

After splashing about in the clean water for a few minutes, so began the cautious transfer of dirt and stones from the garden bed - back and forth she went, each 'ingredient' carefully considered.

All the while she chattered away to herself, occasionally throwing her arms in the air with enthusiasm - obviously very pleased with herself at the masterpiece in creation.

The sweetest thing about Toddlers I think is there intense curiosity - they study each new object, texture or living thing with such fascination and appreciation...it's beautiful to watch, and a constant reminder that we too should take note of the details.

So I've promised myself and Matilda from now on that I won't be reluctant to offer certain activities based on the amount of washing involved after ward.  We will be diving in to a whole heap of beautiful mess each week - finger painting, floury cookie baking and no doubt many more mud pies on the menu very soon.

10/52

Chilled watermelon, BBQ sizzling away, balmy weather - a snippet of her childhood that so closely resembles my own.

Taking part in Jodi's portrait series for 2013.

This week I am quite taken with this funny capture from Diapers & Skinny Jeans - Sophia's expression is priceless!

milestones

Today is special for two reasons... Firstly, my love and I are celebrating 4 years of wonderful marriage, and secondly, our little one turns 18 months old - officially a baby no more, astoundingly more like a little lady each day.

Where did that time go??!!

Tonight the Boy and I are treating ourselves to a very posh restaurant, and a late session flick at the movies...time to chat and reminisce over the past few years, share some delicious food and wine, and just enjoy each others company - some savoured togetherness is the perfect gift.

Although we have been together almost 13 years, these past four betrothed have most definitely defined and cemented our relationship more than ever.  Since saying our i-do's, we have strove together to dream, work for and then reach so many goals - I feel so proud of us, both as individuals and as a Team for the way we have supported, cared and loved each other along the way, navigating all those tricky bumps in the road.

Becoming parents has indeed been our greatest triumph to date, and seeing my husband take so naturally to the role of Daddy only makes my heart swell larger for this man of mine.  I'm a lucky lady for sure, reminded of it especially today - happy anniversary my love.

......

Matilda is 18 months, and I truly can't believe it... time seems to be speeding up the older she grows, so more important now than ever to record the details, write it all down...

Here are a few particulars I don't want to forget, of 18-month-old-you:

Favourite words:  flower (wow-wer), owl (oowwwllllll), water, milk (mulk), hat, shoes (shoooooes), car, cheese, apples (ALL fruit/vege is apples, except for na-na of course), Mima & Umty (Jemima and Humpty from Play School), no (hearing a LOT of this one lately!).

Favourite foods: cheese (if it weren't for cheese, you would have starved some days Miss Fusspot!), apples (and by this I mean grapes, blueberries, bananas, peaches), anything fishy (tuna, anchovies), baked beans, Daddy's scrambled eggs, anything with noodles, Mama's bolognese, yogurt.

Those you love: your beloved Bunny (bubby - wherever you are, so is he), plastic dinosaurs, Play School (!!!), books, tupperware, your tea set, Daddy's chair (your spot for watching said Play School, always), hats & shoes (I can tell this is going to become costly), Mia (you sweetly bring her toys to play with, and tease her to play tug-of-war with you).

Things you love to do: walking up and down stairs (apparently I am not allowed to help you anymore with this), dancing, singing (always singing - ba ba black sheep, Play School song, Old MacDonald - in your own special way of course), emptying drawers and cupboards, draping yourself in Mama and Daddy's clothes, anything that involves water (showers, puddles, hoses, bubblers), collecting rocks/twigs/handfuls of dirt when we are at the park.

You have certainly come leaps and bounds these past couple of months little lady, learning new words and tricks each and every day.  You have completely bewitched your Daddy and I with your gentle, but very cheeky nature - we couldn't be more proud of you, nor wish for a sweeter girl to call our own.

9/52

Her best 'butter-wouldn't-melt' expression - she's a Master...what followed was an impromptu performance of 'Baa Baa Blacksheep', with an encore of tantrum (because Daddy wouldn't let her eat the duck poo she discovered in the garden bed!)

My favourite capture for this week is from Lamb Loves Fox - such beautiful light, and a glimpse of what I have to look forward to as Tilly grows

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series for 2013

winds of change

As always, our short, sweet and balmy February has been swallowed up in the blink of an eye - March arriving with crisp, gusty winds, fresh from the Brindabellas...a sudden chill in the air to affirm the arrival of Autumn.

What better way to welcome the change of season than an afternoon frolic in the park with two of our favourite ladies - an afternoon snack of mama-made fruit bread enjoyed alfresco.

New wellies were happily broken in, and the sublimely soft beanie bought for last winter finally grown in to. 

Such a novelty to be digging out the woollens and cosy layers once more... Stashed away winter clothes are being rediscovered, and the sudden need to stock up on tights, cardigans and snugly pyjamas for the cooler months ahead now top of the To-Do List.

After a lovely, but very hot Summer, I must say today's whisper of the wintry weather ahead has me excited. 
Cosy days spent indoors crafting with the kiddies, rainy-day visits to local sights (NGA and Questacon are sure to be hits), and hopefully many more shared expeditions outdoors when the sun is shining.

It all spells for a wonderfully fun chilly season ahead.. No doubt a little warmer for me this time round, forever chasing a determined and endlessly cheeky Toddler wherever she pleases.