29/52

A week of firsts. First pair of gumboots. First pair of big girl pyjamas. And tomorrow, our first day at Montessori parent and toddler programme*. 

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

*I'm a goof...lucky I checked the letter Monday morning...it starts next week...

28/52

The obligatory photo throwing Autumn leaves. (Along with making playdough for the first time, this was another of those Mama milestones I secretly couldn't wait to reach).

While we wait for our Claret Ash to turn, we buried our hands deep in birch leaves and between giggles watched them fall. In a week where I hardly pulled out my camera, this slightly blurry one still made me smile. There is so much delight here. 

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

27/52

She hands anyone who comes over a book* from her basket and waits expectantly. Watching these two I notice how much like my mother I've become. 

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

*I picked up this book (the 1984 version) at a preschool fete knowing Jan Ormerod is a bit of a genius. It quickly became her favourite book. You just never know. I'm not sure what it is about this book that Sassy is so intrigued by. She recognises the rhythm of the daily routine depicted? The book feeds her fascination with babies (bebes)? The comic style format or perhaps just the simplicity of the hand drawn illustrations? If you spot any of Jan's books on your adventures I recommend you snap them up. 

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Transfixed. Waiting for her Easter treat to be unwrapped.

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

At the halfway point, looking back, these are our three favourite portraits: this is the photo I imagine will always be framed, on a bedside table, on our sideboard, or perhaps it will just live permanently on the fridge; this one says it all; and K chose this one as his favourite (oh my heart). 

This week I fell for these edible legs. Not much is cuter than tippy toes. And I love that it says so much about her personality.

Return

Today was my first day back at work. I sipped my smoothie from the kitchen bench and couldn't look at you without feeling a tingle of tears. You spent the day with your Dada and visited your little cousins. I spent the day wondering about what games you were playing, if you woke up in a mood to read books in your cot and whether you asked for me, calling my name, mumma, with a question mark.

In truth, I did enjoy the bus ride into work reading a new book, catching up with dear friends who also happen to be work colleagues and inspiring ladies, being surprised with a welcome back card and small gift, and walking out for lunch as soon as the hunger hit. I longed for that cuddle from you at the end of the day.

As you and your Dada walked through the door at the end of the day (I beat you home...that wasn't how I imagined it either), I waited for the look of sweet jubilation to cross your face. Bubbies? Bubbies? You took one look at me and launched yourself at the basket of dolls and dress ups.

Easter: The first real hunt*

Things you loved: the chance to run amok with your three little cousins, wearing fluffy bunny ears and your birthday tutu (you twirled, and twirled and twirled), eating lunch at the littles' table with the TV turned on (you were looking at me like, get out of town...no way), digging up Vovo's garden mid hunt,   the bunny statue you discovered in the courtyard that morning (you knelt down to give him a little kiss)...but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that eating chocolate was probably the highlight.

This year we had a mini hunt at home in the morning. Mum and Dad were at the Blues Festival so K and I hid a small Kinder chocolate from Grandfather in the courtyard, and found a little home for the bunny from JanMa. We went to Vovo's in the afternoon for lunch and the Big Backyard Hunt. Vovo gave you bunny ears and a basket and I watched you swing it round the garden, thinking how grateful and happy I am that you are going to grow up adored by, and adoring these beautiful cousins of yours.

*Last year you slept through the hunt in Vovo's backyard!