13/52

A portrait of my children each week, every week, in 2014. 

Leo: Pretty fun having his Papa around to organise outdoor painting sessions!

Anouk: Eek, can't believe I'm writing that! I spend most of my day gazing at her while she sleeps. sweet, sweet little poppet.

I tell you what... second babies are the bomb. A hundred times easier than the first. At least it has been for me anyway. Having had such a better and easier labour and birth, everything has been smoother. She feeds well and sleeps well and I am feeling good and like things are actually under control! Amazing. I can't quite believe the contrast from Leo's birth and those first weeks with him. I was hoping it would be easier, but I think it was hard to believe that it really could be. But for anyone approaching their second birth with some trepidation... it's true - it really can be!

I'm cheating slightly this week... the bottom photo was taken by my hubby, Vincent. Not bad, love.

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series. 

12/52...

And she's here!

A portrait of my CHILDREN!! once a week, every week, in 2014

Leo: Proud big brother!

And introducing...
Anouk Isabelle Puech

Born on the 20th March 2014. She kept us waiting, but once she'd decided she was ready, she didn't take long at all. 3 hours in fact. Her birth was in complete contrast from Leo's birth, and although it was probably a little too quick and intense, it was what we had hoped for... drug free, natural, in the beautiful homely surrounds of the family birth centre (just!) with our wonderful midwife assisting. And now we are home and I'm feeling great and all is well with the world!

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series. 

11/52

A portrait of my child(ren) each week, every week, in 2014. 

Leo and the bump: As we hit the 41 week mark, motivation for anything much - other than meeting this baby - is waning rapidly. So I'm afraid this week's portrait is a phone photo of us watching 'The Gruffalo' together. Not that exciting, but I kind of love it anyway... the close cuddles ("it's a bit scary, mum"), the hands on each other's legs, the simple domesticity of these weeks of waiting.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 series.

10/52

"A portrait of my child(ren) once a week, every week, in 2014."

It's week 10 in this portrait series. But it's also week 40 in the pregnancy. Bubs is cooked and now we just wait for it to let us know it's on its way. So this week's photo is a combined Leo/bubs portrait!
We're pretty lucky to have our new house backing on to parkland, gumtrees, a creek and walking/bike paths. So warm evenings are often spent walking, balance biking and exploring. Especially now, I'm trying to walk as much as I can to get this baby moving! And a hot curry is on the menu tonight.
Stay tuned...

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.

This week...

Here's a few snaps from around the house over the last week or two. I'm 39 weeks now, and the nesting is in full swing. When we moved into this house at the start of summer, it was an insanely busy time, and many cupboards had stuff just chucked in and were closed, never to be opened again unless in an emergency. Unfortunately, some of those cupboards were ones that needed regular opening, you know, like the pantry. So lately, I've been pulling things out, sorting, cleaning, rearranging and putting back. OH SO satisfying. 

And we now have a spare room, which is a first, and is pretty exciting. It's become a sewing room/baby change room/ study/ general extra space room and I'm loving it. 

The rest of the house gets messy again as soon as I've cleaned it, but hey, I guess that's just family life and I'm realising that it's not worth the stress of worrying too much about it. 

1. Rocket going to seed in our veggie garden makes pretty table arrangements.

2. The spare room. So amazing to be able to keep a sewing table set up, rather than cleaning it off the dining table each night! 

3. And it actually makes sewing a quilt a much faster process - I'm more likely to just go and do a few minutes of work here and there when I've got the chance. So this little commission has just been finished and is about to be sent to new owners who have just had a baby - just trying it out over the bassinet for our own soon to arrive newcomer (eek)! 

4. Silly faces over 'dipping eggs'. 

5. Dried flowers - love a bit of low maintenance decoration - and old school bathroom windows. 

xx 

*Linking in with Em*

9/52

"A portrait of my child(ren), once a week, every week, in 2014"

Leo: "zoom zoom"

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.