It's been one of those weeks

12/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2015 (19 months) - meeting Francie Sugar

This week we welcomed my younger sister's baby girl into the world. It is incredibly special adding a new member to the family - I am very close to my sisters and I love their children wholly, and completely. While I met Francie Sugar moments after she was born, I took my babes to meet their new cousin later in the day. They've been watching Cheska's bump grow, and although not quite understanding, they've been rubbing it and saying baba, and more recently "pop." They were in awe with this tiny creature that has entered their lives; not quite sure what to make of it, and happier when it stayed sleeping in her cot.

For me this week has been very nostalgic, sending me back 19 months to when my babes were new and tiny and so close to miracles that it's hard to deny a God that creates new life. This week, talking to my sister as a new mama I've refocused on this journey of mamahood, and how it is the most incredible, beautiful, difficult, emotional, wonderful, funny, exhausting, exhilarating, overwhelming, happiest ride of my life. As a mama, I cry out of love, and laugh out of exhaustion, I think I've reached my end, and then I keep going. I wake up every morning and feel like the luckiest person in the world to be holding my babes in my arms. I already miss moments as they are happening. I feel a fear of loss that never leaves me. I have an unconditional love that makes me feel more powerful than anything on earth. I experience life more fully. And more wonderfully.

11/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2015 (19 months)

Dabba dabba dabba (water). Rubbarubbarubba (rub, rub, rub).

You are talking; repeating every word after me and saying them in perfect context. You both say "kersie" when papa lights the candle for us at bedtime. Last night the moon was full but hidden by cloudy skies and Papa pointed it out to Anna while you waited for me to put Florence asleep. Anna says "maan! maan!" when she sees the moon. 

Anna seems to learn a word first and then Florence copies you. Florence seems to imitate sounds rather than syllables - instead of saying "fine", you say "ine", but in the exact same tone that Anna says "fine." It is so fascinating to watch you learn, and learn in different ways: be it the way you sit down on your big fluffy balls, our how you cross your fingers (Anna just discovered she can do this this week and you are very proud of this new trick. Florence hasn't quite got it but she squeezes her fingers together tightly and looks up with pride at her accomplishment.)

10/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2015 (19 months)

It is on our evening walks that I feel summer is slowly leaving us. The other day we donned beanies and jerseys as we tracked the guinea fowl and their new chicks around the garden. Our legs are bare and that new morning chill quickly gives way to warm days. Autumn and spring are so fleeting where we are, it is almost as if you go to sleep in summer and wake up in winter. So I am enjoying this time of transition and I am so much more aware of these subtle changes in nature and our surroundings since I am experiencing them with you. 

'This strangely still pause between summer and autumn, greenery and gold, and the heat and rising wind that is once again readying itself to rush it all away in a climatic symphony of color and scent is - in my opinion, one of the best parts about living on earth."

Victoria Erickson

9/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2015 (19 months)

"Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed."

Mary Oliver