Sunday, December 29, 2013

12/52 + 2/52

 photo wk121.jpg  photo wk21.jpg
Saskia: You've adjusted so well to life with a new baby brother. You read him stories, coo what's he doin' all the time, check his vitals (he got hans, he got eeeeyes, he got his jamas on) and tell him you love him (melt). But you've started being a whole lot cheekier with Dada and I. I just have to try and remember you are processing this change in your own way. We love you ever so much, little one.
Félix: Oh come on Mama. Big deal. Yawn.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.
A portrait of my son, once a week, every week, from birth.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Saturday, December 28, 2013

11/52 + 1/52 (Welcome little Félix)

 photo wk111.jpg
 photo felixbirthyearwk11.jpg
Saskia: Leisurely afternoon pool trips, stopping to chat to the characters of the village.
Félix: It feels like you have always been a part of our family now. Your name means lucky, happy, but we are the ones who feel blessed to have you.

Born 21 December, 
into the water, 
after an amazing birth experience (which I will soon write down). 

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.
A portrait of my son (my son!), once a week, every week, from birth.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, December 15, 2013

10/52

 photo Wk108.jpg
One of her favourite things to do: wandering the village. Usually with a fairy wand or an umbrella (stick). Gum boots 3 sizes too big - optional.

We all set off on a walk yesterday to try and encourage this little one in my belly to make an arrival in the world. Still might be a few days away...

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, December 8, 2013

9/52

 photo Wk91.jpg
I'm getting glimpses into the kind of big sister she will be. It makes my heart melt. She set up two 'cots', carefully laid blankets over her 'babies', read them a bedtime story (Hairy Maclary) and patted them to sleep.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, December 1, 2013

8/52

 photo Wk81.jpg
She insists on drinking her milo milk with a spoon. Hence the bib.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

7/52

 photo Wk71.jpg
Confession of a guilty mum: that girl knows her way around my iPhone better than me.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, November 17, 2013

6/52

 photo Wk61.jpg
She's been rather teary this week. Strange for our little dynamo. K thinks she might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of a new baby. I'm indulging her and giving as many cuddles as she needs...(Photo by K)

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, November 10, 2013

5/52

 photo Wk51.jpg
She loves him.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, November 3, 2013

4/52

 photo Wk41.jpg
Finding a park perfect for play. In a beautiful setting. Making it an easy and enjoyable holiday for everyone. Priceless.

Clearly I was inspired by this lovely lady's previous capture and composition.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, October 27, 2013

3/52

 photo Wk31.jpg
Talking to the cockies of the village.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

2/52

 photo Week21.jpg
Peepo through the ladder.

The birthday girl at her party. Highlights were having (most of) her favourite people all in the one place and (junk) food related (fairy bread and cake). I'd love to post a little more about her birthday and party in the coming week...

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, October 13, 2013

1/52

 photo Week12.jpg
I couldn't bring myself to post the photo of poor Sassy, puffy and red-eyed with a nasty bout of conjunctivitis on her second birthday...it made me so sad. Even though she smiled the whole day.

I took her out for a special birthday babycino and then we met Dada, JanMa, Grandfather (Glanflarla) and Vovo in town for a ride on the carousel. I'll never forget the way she sat with a back so straight and a beaming smile ever so wide. My beautiful, beautiful two year old.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a two year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, October 6, 2013

52/52

 photo 52project_sassyyear24.jpg
She paints with either hand, mouth open and spare hand waving in the air. The new (to her) easel was an early birthday present.

The final portrait as a one year old. I love where this project has taken me and I look forward to capturing her life as a two year old. My manual photography (and blogging) has taken a backseat lately as I've been busy establishing a Project Life album (and just doing Life...and making a baby). Looking back on these portraits I am reminded how precious they are, how glad I am to have taken the time to capture these moments, and how much they speak of our Little One.

Favourites from the second half of the project:
There's something that feels so olde worlde here
Poise 
The change
Enthusiasm 
Sweetness in a knitted bonnet (K's favourite)

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

51/52

 photo 52project_sassyyear23.jpg
The Foreshore offered all kinds of adventures: the delight of running barefoot on springy grass, throwing stones in the water (again), stone sculptures to scramble up...

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

50/52

 photo 52project_sassyyear22.jpg
We couldn't tear this one away from the river...until she heard there was birthday cake on offer....

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

49/52

 photo 52project_sassyyear21.jpg
In Vovo's backyard on the big girl scooter.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

48/52

 photo 52ProjectWk481_zps121909aa.jpg
Taking her job of watering the plants oh so seriously.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, September 1, 2013

47/52

 photo 52ProjectWk471_zpsd344ca37.jpg
One of the most beautiful things about having a child is watching little friendships bloom. So grateful for these lovelies.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, August 25, 2013

46/52

 photo 2013wk46_1_zpsb2101b66.jpg
Another game of copycat.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

45/52

 photo DSC_0109_zpsa6f7fb1a.jpg
She ate all the smarties first. Baby-see-nos and treats after a morning running kites on the beach.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Friday, August 16, 2013

Memorykeeping: a peek

 photo DSC_0051_zpsbd270844.jpg
Memorykeeping has always been important to me. My parents kept a handmade baby album for me, bursting from its binding with cards, drawings, photos and teeny gym certificates. They also kept scrapbooks from every trip they took: Dad collected endless pamphlets and ticket stubs, and Mum wrote the captions for photos. When we were old enough to write, my parents encouraged both my sister and I to keep travel diaries. I'm so pleased that they persisted once the novelty wore off for us - they are priceless keepsakes. The habit took hold, and as a young adult adventuring around the world I found myself collecting ticket stubs, postcards and feathers, and although it sometimes felt like it was becoming a bit of a nuisance to pause and reflect when excitement beckoned, I would stay firm about writing a diary entry and pasting in the day's collection of papers and beautiful things.

The past month or so I have been working on Saskia's baby album. Watching the beautiful leather bound album triple in size. I'm nearly finished sticking in the bits and pieces I've collected over the last few years, but I still need to go back and write on each page. When I'm finished I'd love to post a little about it.

I've always been inspired by Ronnie's memorykeeping process. It's why I was a teeny bit beside myself when she put the call out for the Life:Captured workshop and I signed up straightaway. I've been counting down since early June. I'm travelling to Sydney and I'll spend my first two night's away from Saskia...

Monday, August 12, 2013

44/52

 photo DSC_0029_zpse8e1f2a9.jpg
I crouch. She crouches. Copycat.

A wild and windy day but you insisted on going out for a walk through the Village and down by the golf course. As usual, you picked some wattool and spotted cock a TOOS.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

There's going to be a baby

 photo DSC_0374_zps7e9788a7.jpg
Thank you for all the sweet comments on our announcement. It feels exciting and all very real now that the nausea is behind me. There's going to be a baby...in just over 4 months.

Of course there is much to look forward to about having a new baby, but I find myself constantly focusing on what it will feel like to watch a relationship develop between Saskia and this new little one. Already Saskia is quite fascinated by babies; besotted with her dearest cousin, Baby Bea, and new little friend, Baby Elle, and inclined to kiss baby strangers on the head (cute but a tad embarrassing at times). I'm under no illusion that this is certain to pave the way for a strong, instant and unwavering bond, but I'm grateful and happy that the interest is there.

We've been reading a lot of books lately about new babies in the family, being a big sister, and books that illustrate the ways of babies in gentle and subtle ways. Here are some of our favourites:

There's a House Inside my Mummy ... Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban
There's Going to be a Baby ... John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury (I fell truly madly deeply for the illustrations in the bookstore)
Rosie's Babies ... Martin Waddell, Penny Dale
101 Things to do with a Baby ... Jan Ormerod (I rave briefly about this beautiful classic here)
Ellen and Penguin and the New Baby ... Clara Vulliamy
I'm a Big Sister ... Joanna Cole

Please let me know if you and your little ones have any favourites. I'd love to hear.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

43/52

 photo DSC_0355_zps20948097.jpg
We're all waiting for the fresh breath of spring and some outdoors days. Photo by K.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

3 + 1


It's been a bit quiet around here lately...and for a pretty good (and most wonderful) reason. If you haven't already guessed, you could find out by watching this little video that K and I had so much fun putting together. I'll be back soon with more details...and look forward to visiting your spaces again now I'm finally out of the fog x

*Inspired by some programs we've been doing at the gallery we made this video using this super easy little app and a final (amateur) edit in iMovie.

Monday, July 29, 2013

42/52

 photo DSC_0279_zpsb5d9e42d.jpg
Mini Margaret Pomeranz style. Photo by K.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Sunday, July 21, 2013

41/52

 photo DSC_0153_zps03e6a727.jpg
Deeply engaged. Recreating one of her favourite Montessori activities at home using a single watercolour and fine paintbrush.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Saturday, July 13, 2013

40/52

 photo DSC_0140_zps62238c1d.jpg
She's a clown one minute, and the picture of grace the next.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

39/52

 photo DSC_0865_zpsab1a3c65.jpg
Wowd and wowd and wowd...Drawing spirals on the bricks.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

38/52

 photo DSC_0002_zpsac971624.jpg
In her own little game of adventure and imagination.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

37/52

 photo DSC_0871_zpsf1c86ad6.jpg
The photograph where I notice how quickly my Little One is growing up.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

Monday, June 17, 2013

36/52

 photo DSC_0855_zps90fc0cad.jpg
Each time I whip out the camera she insists on peering through the viewfinder. It makes taking a portrait kind of hard. So I resorted to fool-proof distraction tactics this week. Yes, Playschool.

A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, as a one year old.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series