Michael took both of the kids for a walk to give me some space to catch up with a beloved friend yesterday.  He took some lovely photos of their (quick) adventure.

Side note: kids. Plural. We have kids!

A wet evening finds me excited for the wintry season ahead. Soups, knitted rugs and regular dates with my sewing machine are on the cards.
Fortunately, there are also heated public swimming pools within close proximity to home… I might have to take Adelaide for her first dip next week.

I have become a milk machine again.  I love breastfeeding but my goodness it seems to be a constant exercise.

Must remember to take more photos.  So easy to forget with a second baby!

Photo # 1 – First time in the pram.  We usually opt for the sling or the pouch.
Photo # 2 – Feeding in the car and trying to absorb details that will pass all too soon.

A story to share with you today.

Earlier this week, my mother wandered outside to the front yard of her home, to find a Labrador dog in the middle of doing Labrador-dog-business on her lawn.  Standing patiently nearby and holding the dog’s lead was a well-dressed lady, who waited until the dog was finished. My mother is quite house-proud, and a lot of effort goes into maintaining an impeccable front yard. Mum politely but firmly asked the lady if she had any plastic bags with her, to clean up after her dog.  The woman answered “no” but added that if my mum wouldn’t mind getting one then she would do so. Things seemed to be turning out well after all, so mum nipped inside to fetch a plastic bag.  Upon returning and handing the woman the bag, mum waited for her to proceed. Instead, the dog owner politely asked if mum would mind directing her to where the dog poo was because – wait for it – she was blind.
Mortified, and apologising profusely, my mother quickly scooped down with the bag, and cleaned it up herself.  She said that the woman was quite gracious about the situation, and did not attempt to make mum feel guilty. As if she had to…

This encounter made me giggle and then lead me to ponder the encounter a bit further… Isn’t it interesting how we are so entrenched in our own realities, that they cloud our vision and perception to the realities of others?

Image via deviantART

Thank you to the very kind Jodi who provided support and tips on how to turn a breech baby. This brand new wee lady was quite the active one.   I swam a lot in the week before her birth and tried positive mantras (stress levels were very high as a cesarean was very low on my bucket list).  She managed to come around to my way of thinking though, and the birth went smoothly.

At just over two weeks old she has charmed everyone around her.
A girl.  Well I’ll be.

Three Week Countdown is On.

This pregnancy has sped by…  It feels as if I started to grow a belly a few days ago. Still, better late than never with the rotund posts, yes?

Baby’s corner is coming together.
It’s funny to notice how my tastes have changed (/developed) between Ruben and this wee one.  A guess a few years of immersing yourself in blogland will do that to you.

Love this time of year.

Despite being shore-bound when the swell is too large (funny how your protective instincts over the belly surface when you least expect).

Ruben has embraced the water most enthusiastically of late. Such joy on his little face. It just melts your heart.

p.s. The swimming vest is a winner.

And yes, in case you noticed; that is not my normal waistline.  Baby #2 (/5) is due in 7 weeks.
2012 is to be a year of new beginnings…

And there are so many things I want to accomplish.

Start surfing (this holiday definitely urged that desire along… Margaret River is a good spot for that).
Actually pick up and learn to tinker on the ukulele that has been gathering dust since purchased on a whim.
Write more.
Sew more.
Take more photos.
And remember to enjoy and savour every day.

This morning my husband jested once again about my lack of inclination to track down my lovely (and neglected) beautician and I laughed at how silly it was of me, given how much time I have to do such things in between being a mother to a crazy two year old, working full-time in a stressful role and being a part-time step-parent to three teenagers.

Michael pointed out that it was interesting I didn’t mention Wife in there, along with all of my other titles.  “For surely there is time spent fulfilling such roles?”.  He has a point.  I think it’s a positive that I didn’t think of it as another plethora of needs to attend to, as that’s what I was referring to.

I did make an appointment this afternoon.