There's going to be a baby

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.

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.

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.

Baby massage

Saskia and I enrolled in a baby massage course with one of my dearest friends and her sweet little 6 month old girl. It's been such a lovely thing to do together, and so many benefits for little ones.

The course is run by Jules who has a beautifully calm manner and there are only two other mamas and babies in the class. We sit on Jules' vintage floral sheet in her studio, massage chubby legs and bellies with jojoba oil, giggle at our wriggly babies, share mama stories and drink juice and eat muesli cookies.

Little Saskia, being busy and curious, doesn't often stay on her back for long, preferring to roll over onto her tummy...and chew the massage dolls. So I just let her be. We had success though last week with the tummy massage! Big smiles, bright eyes. Such a beautiful way to bond with your little one.

We try to do a little massage each day at home, even if it's just one leg. Have found that the curve of her change mat entices her to stay on her back, so I generally use this. If the day is warm we throw open the sliding doors and massage in the fresh air. And if she's not feeling it, well, at least it's a good spot for a nudie wiggle.

an elaborate dance

This was the title of talk Saskia, Jan-Ma & I went to see last Friday at the National Portrait Gallery given by an amazing lady, Sally Chance, on the cultural lives of babies.

Chance is a dance artist who has been looking at how little ones (up to 18 months) create culture and identity using dance. Her two year fellowship with the Australia Council resulted in a production, This [Baby] Life, which I think would be an amazing experience. For both mamas/carers and babies. Especially babies.

The audience: a small number of carers sit on the floor with their babies. Opening scene: a musician makes gentle, playful sounds using a variety of instruments and two dancers begin choreographed movement. As the babies become more confident and comfortable in their surroundings, they may gradually start to venture out to explore the dancers and their surroundings. From here the show is in the hands of the babies as the dancers, respectfully, 'match' their movements and expressions, and each baby 'experiences being experienced', being delighted in.

This [Baby] Life featured in the Adelaide Come Out Festival, and from what I gather, will travel this year. Has anyone seen this? If so, I'd love to hear more about it.

It was a lovely, gentle reminder that toys and gadgets are fun, but what they really want is you. To delight in them.

The mother-infant interaction...seemed to be an elaborate dance, choreographed by nature.

Daniel Stern

Ps. I borrowed this book from the library and ordered this one. Let me know if you've read either.

Mamas and Babies

K and I are taking my parents, his mum and sister, and dear family friend to see this next weekend for Mothers Day. Can't wait! I love the scene at the end of this trailer most.