21/52 2016

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2016 ( 2 years 10 months)

Autumn is perfect for walks in our neighborhood - cold but not too cold. The backs of your little necks get damp with sweat from  woollen neck warmers and running and your hair starts to curl up with the moisture. The crunchy leaves padding the pavements are so tempting and satisfying to crush in small still-dimpled hands and under no longer tiny feet. You become collectors, picking up sticks, or stones another day, mostly feathers, all handed to me like hidden treasures or newly discovered specimens which I must guard and protect, and return on demand even days later.

You're strong and able, and walk and run the whole way home. I love seeing you walk these roads we walked so often as newborns in prams or carriers. It's such an obvious indicator of growth, just as we've seen houses change, knocked down, and rebuilt along the way. This letting go and running ahead shows a confidence as well, in your surroundings and self.

This particular route is not much in terms of walks, we have to go on a busy road for the last part home, but walks are good, the fresh air, the observations. And it is home, it is where we are, I like being here with you.

20/52 2016

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2016 ( 2 years 9 months)

"Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be." Toni Morrison

19/52 2016

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2016 ( 2 years 9 months)

We spent the week with Cheska and Francie at Sun City. It was a real girls' adventure - we hired a van and all drove together, and rented a small chalet. We did all sorts of cheesy resort things, like going on train rides, visiting petting zoos, and we even went on a ride in the Valley of Waves (this was met with mixed emotions from the little ones and everyone had to evacuate before the ride was done. Perhaps three babes and two moms on a tube was a bit ambitious!). We went on long walks through the incredible man-made tropical gardens, we visited the aviary, and we even went for high tea at the Palace. We had lots of fun all staying together, saying hi to the peacocks which came to visit us each morning, sharing meals, and baths, and tears and laughs. Travelling with you, no matter where, is one of my favourite things to do. 

18/52 2016

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2016 ( 2 years 9 months)

I've always bathed with you. I think I found it easier to manage two babies if I was actually in the bath. Our routine hasn't changed much since then, and the three of us squash into our very small tub. I used to nurse you every night in the bath, but that has almost been entirely replaced with the last course of dinner which your papa gives to you. Hence, I've been ousted from my prime position in the bath and usually end up squeezing in near the tap.  You come up with all sorts of games in the bath, from cake making with sponges and soap, to lining all your bath toys in a row along the edge. Bubble bath, aqueous cream, or any other sort of ingredient you can lay your hands on is an added bonus. Even though there's almost no space for all these limbs which turn pruney in the water, I hope we bath together for a very long time.