25/52

I can't tell you how many photographs I have of her with the 'intense study' look. At the Botans for a late afternoon wander with some of our favourite wanderers. 

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

(This was my favourite portrait last week. Such drama in the lighting)

24/52

Sticky beak.

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

(My favourite portraits last week were from this blogger who is capturing her daughters' art making. I love the sensitivity in her photographs)

17 months

17 months and the Little One...
...has discovered the magical world of dress ups
...pulls her mama and dada out of bed in the mornings (off, off) and spends the day grabbing our hands, guiding us to whatever is next on her agenda
...rode a bus and a carousel for the first time (all in the same weekend)
...had her first full(ish) day at childcare (she slept for an hour, played fearlessly on the play equipment and practically high-fived the carers on her way out...mama nursed a headache for most of the morning from crying so hard in the car park)
...will read any book put in front of her, but some clear favourites at the moment are We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Hairy Maclary (K does a mean Scarface Claaaaaw), Good Night Sleep Tight, and If You're Happy and You Know It
...bids her farewells ever so cheerfully (ta ta taaaa with a few flicks of the wrist)
...fetches her bowl and spoon and helps to make her weetbix every morning (before putting the weetbix in the bowl she can't help herself and takes a bite - every time!)
...sings her mama the most beautiful tunes on their nature walks
...surprises her parents by showing them how much much joy they can feel in just one day

*The girl is ice cream mad, so in an effort to use that to my advantage I made some creamy coconut, banana and blueberry ice blocks. Needless to say, they were a Big Hit and Super Easy. Blend one banana, 1/4 cup of coconut cream, 1/4 frozen berries, 3/4 cup of yogurt and a good healthy drizzle of honey. Freeze in 4 small ice block moulds. Recipe from this little gem (I halve it to fit in this old guy). They don't last long as K and I eat them for dessert too. I'm a little sad I came to the ice block party so late in the season though...

23/52

She's rather proud of that tummy.

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

(My favourite portraits last week were these bathwater shots from typically red, especially the one of Lola. Dreamy.)

Simple pleasures of ordinary days

...some pretties for the balcony
...from the markets, the creamiest yogurt to pass my lips
...we waited for dada at the bottom of the road to greet him on his first day back at work after holidays
...peepo
...my favourite sculpture in town
...box city: oh to be a child again
...golden tiles
...this would be my last supper: cheese and bean papusa with a mountain of chilli sauce
...we took the Little One for a morning out in town; no trip to the city would be complete without a ride on the carousel (her first)...
...and, she couldn't get enough. And I couldn't get enough of her not getting enough. A lovely memory.
...an outtake from the 52 project
...Happy 100 Canberra. Gosh you look good
...there's that dress up bag again
...but yesterday it was all about the wand

Joining Em and creating a collection of weekly images, recording simple pleasures of ordinary days.

22/52

I couldn't choose, so K picked the portrait this week. He said he saw in this independence and strength, and after this week's post, perhaps a sign that she's ready for the next big adventure.

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

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

(My favourite portrait last week was this one from inked in colour, especially the golden yellow version)

Change

In a month's time I return to work. For two days a week Saskia will be looked after by others: one of these days she'll be spend with her JanMa, and on the other she is going to a childcare centre.

I work in gallery education and know I'm lucky to have an arrangement where I can return to work part time. My job is intensely rewarding, varied and the best kind of mix of challenging and familiar. But right now, the return to work countdown is making me feel awfully sad.

I know she'll revel in the attentions of her doting grandparents, cooking pikelets and exploring enchanted gardens; I know she'll learn valuable lessons about sharing spaces with other children and waiting a turn; I know I'll embrace our days together with renewed enthusiasm, and will marvel at how grown up she seems.

All this I know will be true, but I still feel a heavy weight of sadness. Our weeks will soon include days together - and days spent apart. I will juggle paid work, and the glorious and not-so-glorious unpaid work. I will feel torn. I will wonder how you are feeling, whether you ate your yogurt, what you were like when you woke, and whether you have called my name. I will miss you Little One.

*These photos were taken on a recent outing to Sculpture Garden Sunday. Such cleverly crafted outdoor art activities for little ones: tape graffiti on garden walls, sculptures crafted from venetian blinds, bright texta drawings on plastic sheets, etc. The highlight though, was most definitely the musical entertainment, Doctor Stovepipe (an old favourite from way back here!). She twirled and bounced and clapped until we dragged her away.

Simple pleasures of ordinary days

...this week saw the first signs of a moody Autumn. Cool winds whipping in the afternoon mean it's time for Minestrone (K calls it Miiiiiine Strone in his best superhero voice)
...In, and
...Out
...It seems as though all her leggings are morphing into pedal pushers
...We took her to a beautiful toystore in town on one of the last days of K's holidays to choose a small treat: a little animal to add to her collection. She chose a bunny. Like the ones at her new childcare centre (oh, that's another post)
...a handmade bag of tricks for a new baby born near the sea (the son of a good family friend)
...I've started working on Saskia's handbound baby book (I go weak at the sight of that stack of deckled edges).
...Another favourite from Sculpture Garden Sunday
...Finally! A nasturtium bloom!

Joining Em and creating a collection of weekly images, recording simple pleasures of ordinary days.

21/52

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

A favourite of hers (and mine...and probably every child who grew up in Canberra).

Rest in peace Bert Flugelman. 

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series