getting into the SWING of things

      Very few things in life make me smile like he can...

                         His sister is one of them...

son

Dear Reeve,

I can’t believe you are almost 9 months old… that time has flown by for me. It would appear time really does fly by when you’re having fun,  you are such fun! These past 2 months have seen you learn to crawl – to pull yourself up to standing – to very clumsily walking with the aid of your walker. Your physical nature would suggest that a greater than usual effort be required for such accomplishments… but you push on undaunted and {quite literally} laugh in the face of your intermediaries. You are a happy, gentle soul. I love that you are such a big babe and, although weighing in at an impressive 11kg is physically taxing on me, I am comforted knowing that you are healthy and content and in no danger of starving to death!

You are the messiest eater I have ever seen! It is hilarious and infuriating at the same time. You make noises when you eat, as though humming a delicate sonnet to your great love. Your favourite food is fruit… in fact you prefer veggies with fruit mixed in with them! Your love of crisp textures extends to food and you exhibit great joy when you crunch your way through a rusk or break stick. Your 8 teeth help you to chew but your sensitive gag reflex insists on spoiling your dietary delight, and you often retch, smiling all the while. Needless to say, tucker time is always an event where you are concerned.

Watching you play with your sister brings me genuine happiness. You really love her and where ever she is, there you are also. It is a marvel to watch the two of you laugh together. India loves to hold you and will ask me sporadically throughout the day to do so, as though it is a great honour. She mostly addresses you with a tender, acute voice, but there are times when you irritate her sensibilities and that tenderness is quickly replaced with a tartness that is, let’s say… unbecoming of a young lady. You are eager to be a part of it all and will often desire whatever has her attention at the moment. India is not shy in telling you NO and I do have to play the part of referee between you.  I am more often amused than concerned by your “rivalry”. It’s nice to catch a glimpse of your future self and I can see that you will enjoy stirring Indi’s temperamental pot.

There is no one in this world you love more then you’re Dad {not even Tabah}!!! Your reaction to him is a phenomenon! The sound of his voice alone is enough to set you off.  As covetous as this makes me, I LOVE the way you LOVE your Dad.

You are still an indecisive sleeper but the past 3 nights have been our best for a while and we take what we can get, when we can get it! Sometimes you will put yourself off to sleep with no more than a bottle and your music {you are smitten with music}… other times you demand all the time and cuddles my burdened arms can accommodate. In the other times I find that no matter my original intention, my will power dissolves if you snuggle in to me and, as I fight the pain of your weight, I hold you tight and breathe you in a little while longer. When all else fails, a ride around the block in the pram always leaves you dreaming. You still love the outdoors, I will often catch you crawling to or standing by the window… longingly gazing as the outside world passes us by.

Being a mother is tiring and all consuming. There are days when I am left exhausted, when I am left feeling defeated. There are days when I don’t feel I can change another nappy or wash another hand or clean another spill… but being YOUR mother makes it easier. And at the end of every day when you and India are tucked safely in your beds I find myself missing you. I relay the events and dramas of the day to your Dad and we laugh… and every night before I go to sleep I steal away into your room for just one more glimpse of you… my precious son.

I will love you forever,

Your Mama xxx

tuckered out!

Looks like our baby bike trailer is doing the job nicely!

It sure is hard work being towed around the lake!

and they call it puppy love

Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."

                                                             - George Eliot

this is Tabah... Isn't she beautiful?!

When Reeve is excited he pulls a certain face, one that makes us laugh every single time. His eyes get wide and his mouth flys open. Along with said face he throws his arms out and shakes. The result is something like this...

or this...

or even this...

Our little Reeve has taken a big shine to Tabah... I mean he is digging on her in a big way! His love for her is never more evident then when he gives her 'the look'! It's nice to see that Reeve, like his sister, loves and appreciates animals. 

I can just hear the love songs playing {in my mind} as I look at this captured moment... 

                                           'my endless love'...    in slow motion...

A week to remember

 Paige & Harvey & Levi

 

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to play substitute parents for Baxter's sister Alex and her husband Rick . They had booked a 2 week holiday in the U.S with some friends from Canada and had decided to brave it alone with only 1 of their babes, the beautiful Miss Addy. Bax and I gladly "babysat" their 3 other beauties Paige (8), Harvey (6) & Levi (4) - pictured above. It was a hectic and fun 6 nights with 5 children. There was plenty of love and happiness and the time really did fly by... really!  We read books, watched "Tangled", ran races {Paige seriously beat me!}, jumped on trampolines, kicked footys, scuffed knees, ate McDonalds, played tickle monsters, baked biscuits (footy one's for Harvey's show and tell), danced and sang. There was laughter and tears, loud voices and sweet whisperings!

Alex thanked us profusely and showered us in gifts upon their return, but we really were the lucky ones...  and India and Reeve LOVED having their cousins and a beautiful pet dog Tabah for a whole week.  

India and Levi have always had a tentative relationship, but this week we spent together resulted in many sweet moments and more affection than anger :) and here are a few proof shots:

There is something special about cousins... something very special!

On my mother's side alone I am 1 of 34 cousins, our children combine to a total of 64 {second cousins}... and there are more coming each year! I love being a cousin and having cousins and feel a boundless measure of gratitude for the opportunity I have been afforded in growing up surrounded by family; as well as travelling to meet those who are not close by. It has been my experience, and a great gift, to discover that no matter the distance of time or passage, and no matter the frequency of contact we have between us, there surely is a bond and a love that is real... tangible... and lasting with cousins. It is as though our Creator knew that there would come times in our lives when we would require a closeness less explicit than a siblings but more familiar than a friend... a blood ally... a savvy accomplice for any facet of life. How fortunate I am for the opportunity India has to form these same affinity's with her cousins here in Perth. In a perfect world I would have my family here also but until that time I take heart in knowing that this Christmas will yield a special time for our family. A time when my Mum and Dad will be blessed to have all their Grand-babies in one place for the first time in their lives and the spirit of Elijah will be well with us.

Handsome

   hand·some  /ˈhænsəm/ Show Spelled       –adjective, -som·er, -som·est. 

1. having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing appearance suggestive of health and strength; good-looking.
2. having pleasing proportions, relationships, or arrangements.
3. exhibiting skill, taste, and refinement; well-made.