august portraits..

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a night in the ED 

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she put a tiny magnet up her nose and we spent a worrying evening in emergency until they eventually (painstakingly) managed to remove it.

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helping hands, picking fresh herbs and adding them to the soup one tiny leaf at a time.

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this weeks shoe of choice, apparently just as perfect for scaling rocks and scooting as they are for ballet.

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her favourite place on earth, {still} mumma's neck.

she will run to me at random, squish her little nose into the nook and and breathe me in.

August was a month that reminded me my baby girl really is still just a baby after she spent a week with a head cold, and nestled into my neck for endless cuddles.  Still keeping us forever entertained with her antics and funny ways, of course.  

Then last week she found a tiny little magnet in the shape of a star.  A treasure!  She has never been one to put things in her mouth or anywhere other than her special box or a pocket, so I wasn't the least bit concerned about her holding ever so tightly onto this.  We still don't know where it came from, but I'm guessing its something one of the boys might have picked up off the ground somewhere.

It wasn't until later that night, just before bed, that she said her nose was scratchy form the star.  At first the boys thought she'd scratched her nose but couldn't see any blood so didn't worry too much. When she said it to me though, I knew immediately what she'd done.  I took a look and there it was. A glimmer right up in her nostril, so off to the doctor we went.  

He couldn't get to it after his one and only attempt.  He and Olive are good friends and I don't think he wanted that to change, so it was off to the hospital emergency department next.  

I really didn't think it was going to be that hard.  I could see it was within reach, and she was being very co-operative, but they just couldn't get it out.  After a few attempts, long hours and some happy gas, it was still holding tight up there.  In fact it had moved up even further and the doctor couldn't see it anymore.  I was so worried when they suggested we go home and wait.  Wait to see if she'd swallowed it in which case she would just pass it, or wait to see if discharge developed over the next couple of days which would indicate it was still there.

I just didn't feel right about taking her home and not knowing where it was.  I worried that she could choke on it in her sleep, that it could become infected or that she could inhale it! 

It was so late at night by now and the ED was flat out busy.  In the end, they called up an ear nose and throat specialist to come into the hospital to take a look.  Thank goodness for that, because he wasn't going to let her go anywhere until it was removed, whatever it may take. 

Eventually, after lots and lots of tears, Olive screaming for her star and screaming that it was 'time to go home now' he managed to pull it out.  We had to wrap her in a sheet and pin her down, another doctor holding her head still while she screamed and screamed.  But he got it. Oh boy, what a relief that was! 

I think I'm the only one who was left traumatised by the whole event.  Olive was perfectly fine once we left and promised to never ever put anything in her nose again.

You can join in the 52 project over at Practicing Simplicity.. 

july portraits..

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'three cheeky monkey's jumping on the bed..'

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'I mind them Mumma..' counting my crochet hooks over and over, a new favourite pastime

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sometimes she uses her hands like toys, her fingers are the characters and the sing and dance and get up to all kinds of wonderful adventures

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learning to use scissors for the very first time

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the protest, its a regular occurrence, and the expression on that little face daring me to do something about it

Another month of learning, attitude, favourite shirts...and lots of busy hands at play!

July was a big month for our cancerian birthday boys.  It was a HUGE month actually.  We've taken our business in a new fresh direction, we've had school holidays, we've been preparing for school camps.  There have been about a thousand school meetings and information evenings and lots of running here there and everywhere!

This little girl is looking more and more ready for kinder next year.  The growth is extraordinary.  It was only a month ago that I was worrying about her not being ready.  Not having had more experience with playgroups or three year old kinder like her brother's had.  Suddenly, I see it.  I see that its time to take the next step, time for her to leave my side and try new things.  It's time for big kid adventures.  The baby is growing up.

You can see more lovely portraits over at Practicing simplicity..

june portraits..

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after a visit to the op-shop with nana, these wings have barely come off her back 

"I have beautiful wings!" she sings and flies about the house whispering "flitter flutter flitter flutter" as she goes

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tap shoes, every single day

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the week she moved into a 'big girl' bed

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she's a story teller, just like her biggest brother whose teachers would call us to 'clarify a few things' ever now and then.  At least this time we'll be a little more prepared

June, another month of capturing this little girls ever growing personality.

She has us in fits of laughter and cringing with frustration all at once.  She's assertive and feisty, shy and gentle.  A mixed bag of never ending surprises.  

She suddenly seems so grown up and I wonder if not having enrolled her into three year old kinder this year was a such a good thing.  I worry she might find it harder next year when she starts four year old kinder.  How will she cope with the structure, with so many other personalities and new experiences.  But then I look, and I see she's just a baby.   I feel assured there's plenty of time for all those things.  At least I hope so.  

More portraits here..

may portraits..

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"it's a hard nut life.." from the movie Annie,her favourite movie right now. I hear her burst into song throughout the house and my heart overflows

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waiting for her turn in the bath, making me promise I won't wash her hair "say it mumma, say I not washin' hair"

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she gets dressed and tests her skirts for twirling every single morning

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new shoes..belated birthday shoes, worth the wait

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her 'dancer' skirts are to be worn Harry Highpants style, this is not negotiable

May has been a month of (more) strong will, singing out loud, dancing skirts worn her own way, 'sleebs' (sleeves) always turned up, and sooo much development! She is amazing us with the things she knows, the way she articulates a sentence, her sense of humour and her nurturing ways. In this month of May, she drew her first real picture! A body with eyes, a nose, a mouth, arms and legs. Now when she draws, the shoes and hair are added.  I've always been so amazed and so ridiculously excited by each of their first 'real' drawings.  It's such a milestone, don't you think. 

Her brothers know her well and know just what to say to make her feel happy when she is sad. They piggyback her to the bathroom to brush her teeth for bed, they make her snacks, and sit to watch her shows. They know her quirks, her routine and how to distract her when she won't take no for an answer.  She hugs them tight, plays their games and loves them fiercely. 

They are a lucky little bunch, these four. 

More portraits over at Practicing Simplicity..

april portraits..

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stormy skies, soft warm winds and fresh clean sand just waiting for tiny feet

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a pocket full of posies

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a moment of still

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" Look a this! Look a meee!" the youngest of four, always trying to get a laugh out of her brothers.. forever our clown

The roller coaster that is three!

Boy oh boy is this little chicken ramping things up.  

The curdling screech is pretty much her go-to voice if requests are not met within .5 of a second.

She has to do everything herself, and must assist everyone else with what they do also.

You can not laugh, ever, when you catch her doing something totally adorable without risking attack and tantrum.

She will eat constantly.

She completely and utterly refuses to toilet train.

Heaven help us if there is not a 'dancer' skirt available to wear on any given day.  A pocket dress, might be allowed with some coaxing and promises of treasures to be found.

She will let out a shrill that could shatter glass just randomly, for no apparent reason.

She will talk all. day. long!

Fortunately though, she tells the best stories.

She sings instructions and twirls through her days.

She is the family clown and loves to make us laugh (on her terms) with her talking belly voice.

She loves nothing more than to be helping outside, and she is the hardest little worker ever!

Her bedtime routine is a performance for all the family to see.

Her imagination is boundless and watching her play is pure joy.

She hugs hard and kisses often.

She will sit right by her brothers side when they are sad or upset, and she won't leave until they're smiling again.

She closes her little prayer hands and tucks them under her cheek to sleep.

She is bossy.  She is loud.  She is hilariously funny and she is so full of love for us all.

More portraits over at Practicing Simplicity.

march portraits..

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there has never been a greater build up or more excitement shown for this time of year by any of our children like there has been by this girl..beside herself excited! 

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with three big brothers, theres always someone willing to give her a piggy-back ride when those little legs are tired out

11/52..

she came thudding loudly up the hallway, I said "look at you galloping like a horse" and she replies "no mumma I'm flying like a fairy, see my wings!"

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outside baths in the drinks cooler..

A month of adjusting to the change of seasons, and carefully re-introducing layers.  She is not a fan of long pants or any kind of jacket.  It's 'dancer' skirts everyday, so the most I've managed is a singlet and the occasional pair of socks, mostly socks with sandals, but socks nonetheless! 

Our three year old has ramped up her attitude and fever pitch screeching this month.  Throw in relentless whinging and serious determination, and we are all a little worn out.  Luckily, amongst it all, there's there irresistible sweetness, that squeaky little voice, the fairy wings and story telling, all the discoveries and learning and growth.  Watching the little girl emerge.

She's exhausting and exasperating, but she's just so darn adorable.

Join in with Jodi at Practicing Simplicity for the 52 project here..

portraits..february

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roadtrip..poolside

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messy hair (she really!) don't care

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a girl and her dolly

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those dimpled hands

Lots of summer lovin' in this months portraits.

We've been trying to make the most of beautiful summer days, squeezing beach visits into our days even if they're brief. Eating dinner outdoors and playing in the yard until bedtime.  Messy hair, sticky faces and lots and lots of homemade icypoles.

We finished up this month with a very special road trip all the way to Swan Hill to celebrate my darling nephew's first birthday and Christening.  The entire weekend was filled to the brim with warm summer sunshine, beautiful family, hot late nights and so much swimming!  

All in all, February has been a month of birthdays and celebration. Of summer fun amidst business mayhem and unrest.  It was a month of being purposeful and making time to breathe, to craft and to not be too rigid with routine.

I'm a little sad to see our summer come to an end, but then Autumn is one of my most favourite seasons of all.

You can see more lovely portraits over at Practicing Simplicity.

  

portraits..january 2016

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turning three & flower crowns

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early morning shenanigans,

she says "you SO love me" and I say " I SO do!"

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she has discovered her eldest brother's treasured tools, and I'm so very glad we kept them

2/52..

all the fru-fru, and hair that hasn't been washed in weeks!

1/52..

making peace with the ocean "it's lovely mumma.."

I'm joining in with Jodi's 52 project once again this year.  Looking back at last years moments captured made it difficult to deny participating  for another year.

I've still been using just my iphone, but it really needs to be time for a real camera.  I just don't know what frightens me so much!  Still, I love what we've got here so far.

portraits..the final four

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the way her 'dancer' skirts sit under that belly

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dumped by a wave, fully clothed, within a minute of stepping onto the beach

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'Jammy Faced Mary' stories before bed are her favourite

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sometimes she sits like a kinder kid, and suddenly I want to swaddle her like a newborn

My final four portraits for 2015.

It's the loveliest thing, to look back on treasured moments I want to remember.  One from every week of her little life this year. Snippets of the everyday, of milestones, of the mundane, of challenging times and heart melting moments.  All captured to remember always.  

Special thanks to Jodi at Practicing Simplicity for hosting, it's been a joy x

portraits..

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I spy the faintest sprinkle of freckles appearing across her nose

47/52..

that sweet, sweet neck is for kissing

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all the gentle sweetness, it far outweighs the two year old horrid

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we're in the process of learning the concept of sharing

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a wreath of dried weeds, and all she sees is a crown

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the little girl emerging..looking a little bit too grown up for my liking

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counting grazes, there are many..

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so in love with the ocean

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"a Kristoff tree!!"

she means crystal, but she's still Frozen obsessed

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presents and parties and cake! 

She has never been to a real birthday party before, but she talks about it everyday

a huge 10 weeks of portrait catch up! I can't believe there's only four to go, and I can't believe I've managed a picture every single week so far. Hugely proud of myself, and so loving to look back on memorable moments captured each week of her little life this year.

you can join in with more lovely portraits over at practicing simplicity..