weekly stills.

The new baby.

1:: you have a thing for the bling dear piper.

2:: ever helpful. a sibling is never without someone to love them.

3:: newest threads from the op. 

4:: hammock hangout.

5:: first bath.

6:: babies, babies, everywhere.

7:: sunflower. when we came home 24 hours after poppy arrived they were in bloom all over our little patch. the perfect welcome.

8:: with angel wings.

9:: another girl. another frilly bum to cover.

♡ ashley

joining up with em for weekly stills.

4/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Piper:: You are such a gentle, proud big sister. You have been craving some attention {and doing some entertaining things to get it} but all in all have your new role down pat.

Poppy: So clever. Already giving kisses.

Linking up with jodi.

3/52 and a new little person...

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Piper:: You arrived at the hospital more excited than we have ever seen you. You marched in proudly looking for the baby and quickly found your new dolly {from the baby} and mom's stash of grapes much more interesting. You are the BIG SISTER!


Poppy: 40+12. You arrived at 7:20 on the 20th. We have been waiting for you our whole lives. Meeting you was every single thing I dreamed it could be.

Linking up with jodi.

♡ ashley

the waiting game. a letter to the tummy dweller. (41 weeks).

Piper Grace- 12 hours old

................................................

Little Bug,

I expected you to come early. 

Your big sister was born at 40+10 with a little too much assistance for my liking. 

This time is meant to be different. 

I have talked to you about it every chance I have had. You know, blessing us both with a quick and manageable arrival. Letting me work with you on a kick ass entrance into the world. One that let me tell stories of my peaceful birth. Of how I was strong enough to say no to drugs. Of how you came out and looked like you were smiling.

Your sister tried so hard to stay inside. She was happy in her warm home. She screamed for longer than we wish to remember when she was torn from it. I still ache remembering her sad little eyes.

At around 39 weeks I was told you are still pretty high. No action has begun. I am closed. 40 weeks was the same.

I have followed most of the advice given. Curry, beach walks, fit ball, pineapple, red raspberry leaf tea, sexy time {as sexy as possible with a lump the size of a watermelon}, acupuncture. Nothing. 

Here and there I think you may be starting your journey. That too passes and I am left, waiting.

This week we have a special appointment to see if we have enough time to keep waiting. If you stay perched on your mountaintop, we have no choice but to say yes to an induction...again. 

This is something I will face if I need to.

Come on little bug, it's time to make your way here. Your mommy, daddy and big sister are dying to meet you. No matter what your journey.

With love,

Your mommy.

weekly stills.

A berry edition.

1:: my ever present companion.
2:: reading , in pjs, with her sunglasses.
3:: made by my little one. knots by mom.
4:: focused picking.
5:: freshly picked.
6:: a little pot of gold. this week holds muffins, smoothies, muesli with berries and much more.
7:: 2013: my year of happiness.

♡ ashley

joining up with em for weekly stills.

2/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Piper:: The blueberry farm was a delight. You were sure to do a clean 75/25 mouth to bucket ratio.
Bump: 40+5. Oh dear, mommy is feeling very...round.

Linking up with jodi.

♡ ashley

in the kitchen.

muffins: double coconut
bread: no knead bread
basil: for the fridge. if an overabundance in the garden you can layer basil, rock salt and olive oil. store in a sterilised jar and use on bruschetta, pasta, cheeses, etc. This is perennial basil,  not as sublime as sweet but prolific and sustaining.
nuts: granola crusted walnuts and macadamias

.....................................................................................

I am keeping up with a main goal for 2013 already {slightly assisted by idle days waiting for number 2}.
With baking and homemade treats for my family to enjoy.

The kitchen has been busy.

I have discovered smitten kitchen.

As part of my plan to not buy things we don't need {when I can avoid it!} I am putting her cookbook on my birthday wish list {July is just around the corner, right?!} The website is stockpiled with amazing recipes to keep me busy and baking.

The bread was pretty good, not quite mastered. Very hard crust, but if I got it right the first go what would that leave for me to do?!

Do you have a favourite cooking website/ book?

♡ ashley

play.

Our view on play has changed and morphed over the past few years. In the beginning of this parenting gig, we had so many things given to us- a lot that beeped and buzzed, flashed and shouted. They were cute and colourful. Then I started reading about 'stimulating' children, 'spirited' children, 'high-needs' babies and started to piece together a plan on changing the environment we were raising Piper in.

Since this, we are more conscious of the toys we buy. Well made, mostly natural and not too many beeps attached. I keep learning about environmental stimulus and the effects on child development. For our family {I say this as I by no means think Fisher Price doesn't have a place for some} it has helped us to stop buying as much stuff and when we do, we choose well made items constructed with love and care.

Things have purpose and meaning. Piper can play independently much more than ever before. These toys are helping her imagination- they don't make the sounds/movement, she does.

Another bonus has been the slow clean out of items, donated to op shops for those that love beeps in their homes. Win, win. The more the plastic fantastic has left, the calmer we all feel. We still have a fairly good collection of lego, those are precious.

The occasional Dora doll, plastic car, etc. is given to Piper and does sneak in, but often they are played with and put away for desperate days where a distraction may be necessary. But we could definitely live without them and they are spending 99% of the time in the top of her closet.

Some reading on the Steiner Waldorf education system is a great start for explaining why these toys are helpful for little people.  The general idea:: natural objects give children a beautiful, true image of the world. They are warmer, with texture and often unique from one another. They feel, look real allowing for play that mimics what big people around children are doing. The ultimate goal of all children is role-playing being a big child!

Do you have a 'toy type' house or are you more 'anything goes'?

♡ ashley

weekly stills.

our summer holidays continue, slow starts, sunny beaches, good food, and simple slow days. perfection.

1:: double coconut muffin.

2:: 52 project- outtake.

3:: little lunch: muffin, bbq corn, veggie dog, mango and yogurt.

4:: farmers markets booty.

5:: polenta chicken caesar salad (jamie oliver's 15 minute meals was under the tree this year:))

6:: fairy twirling her wand.

7:: brilliance.

8:: flashback- 36 weeks ago {aka: hurry up!}.

9:: tomato, vinegar, olive oil and herbs on toasted home baked bread.

10:: dad's have this thing with throwing small people, don't they?!

♡ ashley

joining up with em for weekly stills.

apologies to anyone who follows me on instagram. a few repeats.