One

  your 11 pound mass waiting patiently within my womb...

 your first bath at just 3 hours old...

 age 1!

Dear Reeve,

Tomorrow you turn1! This past year really has gone by so quickly; many times I have had to catch my breath as I wonder how you got so big, grew so fast, learnt so much. And yet I have been here the whole time… watching you, loving you, kissing on those big cheeks. The ones I feared would fade away as you grew, but that still give cushion to your beautiful face. You look like your Father and his Father. You look just like your sister did at this age too.

You can clearly say Mum, Dad, naanaa (banana), and this. You fill in the gaps with jibberish. You dance to music and will not fall to sleep without it. You still won’t sleep through the night.You suffer night terrors and end up sleeping with us every night. Your night terrors scare me too honey!

You walked at 10 months and never looked back. You literally got up one day and began taking steps. No matter how many times you fell down, you just kept getting back up. You are brave that way. You climb and explore and regardless of the physical harm you do to yourself (I’m talking lots of bruised cheeks and bumped heads) your curiosity gets the better of you. You have incredible strength; I truly believe you could beat me in an arm wrestle. You love to pull hair and slap bare skin. A little rough and tumble, brute of a boy, who loves to cuddle! You will literally throw your arms around necks and cuddle deep into chests. You show tenderness beyond your years… well, beyond your one single year!

How can one year be so miniscule in the timeline of eternity and yet the entire span of your life to date? A landmark for your life, a rite of passage into toddler-dom. A blink of an eye and my new born is gone. In his place you stand, with a ravenous appetite for life and for fruit. This past year has been joyous and hard. It has been a year of growth, not only for you my sweet child, but for your mama as well. I will love you beyond the end of time and pray that no matter how many times in this life you fall down; you will continue to get back up.

Love always,

yo Mama xxx

the construction site cake i made for you...

Three

the day before you were born...

the day after you were born...

your 3rd birthday!!!

Dear India,

I have seen many changes in you this past year. You have made a smooth transition from toddler to girl and from single child to big sister. You are tall for your age and you speak well. People will often tell me they forget just how young you really are, because you do not act your "age". I am guilty of raising my expectations of your abilities also… and still you thrive. You have risen to meet those expectations and you have begun to set them for yourself.

You take dance classes on a Friday and excel wherever music is involved. You are smart, you are so smart. Whether it is a promise made a month ago or an entire verse to a song; you will remember it. You figured out how to use the iPhone before I did and you love to play the PS3 with your Dad. You are creative with your hands and your mind. You love to paint and make up stories. You love icy-poles and sweeties but struggle to find the same fondness for any green vegetable (except cucumber). You love spaghetti and fruit. You still have a bottle and rub the back of your fist along my neck/chin as you fall off to sleep. You still won’t sleep through the night.

You came into this world screaming; with reluctant and dramatic force. You live each day in a like manner! You have sass… you have spunk… you have attitude. What amuses me in your infancy I fear in your youth but I hold onto the hope that you will continue to be head strong for the right causes, an advocate for good. You are a force to be reckoned with my girl; A hurricane of kisses and kindness. You love as fiercely as you fight and have proven that your bark and your bite are the same. I am proud to have a child who says what she means and means what she says… and the things you say make me laugh and cry and fill me up to over-flowing.

Happy 3^rd Birthday India.

I love you so very much!!!

Love Mum xxx

 The mermaid cake I made for you...

 I hope all your wishes come true!!!

High Thai Times

It's been along time coming but here it is...
I really do have the most amazing husband and in-laws ever! when I first approached Bax about a possible 10 day getaway, in which it would be only me getting away with a friend, I was expecting to be told a big fat resounding "no" or more accurately            

" Have you lost your mind? NO!"

Maybe it's because that's what I would have said, but mostly it's because Bax really is amazing, I was pleasently suprised when his actual response was more along the lines of:

"Go. You deserve some time to recharge. Enjoy it and take lots of photos."

And just like that I booked my flights to Thailand. I won't bore you with every glorious detail of my trip but here are a few things I cant help but brag about and experiences I won't ever forget.

 old mate trying to get a glimpse of Aims :)

AMAZING food! 

 







Ferry rides

 pineapple boats

 

Climbing all 1,237 steps of the Tiger Cave Temple!!! 

 Have I mentioned amazing food!?
 

Para-Sailing...

Tuk-Tuks...
 

Long-Boats...

 fish...

the general scenery...
 

floral ninja...

meeting new people...

Phi Phi Island...

 fruit smoothies!

A massive thank you to Alex, Stacey, and Grandma for caring and loving my babes so completely in my absence and making this trip a reality for me.
A massive thanks to Aimee for coming along for the ride and keeping me honest and upright in my travels!
But the most massive thank you to Bax, for everything! I really am the luckiest little girl in the world!

Tinkerbell

I just could not resist this Tinkerbell outfit for Indi to wear to her dance classes and to add to her dress up collection; which now consists of this and a Cinderella Princess dress. India is one happy fairy.

Things my Dad has taught me.

Dear Dad

Today is Father's day.

You are such a good father to me and I will forever be indebted to you for the sacrifices you have made , the love you have offered , and the lessons you have taught me throughout my life!
You have taught me that honesty is above gain, that forgiveness is attainable and change is possible. You have taught me the value of a hard earned dollar and the worth of souls, particularly my own. You have shown me how to love another and  how to be loved in return. You have taught me that music is the cure to any ailment or heartbreak and the backdrop to any good celebration.
Growing up, I have watched you try hard to be the best father you knew how to be and what I see now, continues to teach me how to love without restrain or guile. I have learnt that imperfection is not failure and love makes up the difference. You have taught me that love comes with a heavy price tag, but the heart wrenching, back breaking work required to secure the down payment is worth my continual efforts. And you have taught me that there is still work to be done...
         ...But when I am tired and worn out, when I feel that, on certain days, my efforts have been for naught, you have taught me that I will always find refuge in you.

I love you Dad... Happy Father's Day.

Love Georgia xxx