Hammock

Sofia

Daddy hung a hammock on the front porch. It's blue and white stripes match the colour of the house. We bought the hammock years ago and it's been hiding in various linen cupboards waiting for the right place.

 

It has well and truly found its home. Visitors enjoy afternoon naps. Daddy enjoys a break from working in the sun. You like to sit and swing as you enjoy a snack.

 

The hammock represents many of the dreams Daddy and I have for this place. A slower pace. Release from the struggle of finding work life balance and instead just embracing life on the property.

 

This is the first of hopefully many hammock photos.

Stealth

Sofia

I download photos from my phone, my digital camera and Dad's digital SLR. And then I occasionally remember to have a look at the photos you've been taking on your little digital camera. There are always plenty of photos of your dolls, the floors and random shots of furniture but sometimes there is a sneaky gem in the mix.

Here is one shot, which I'm using through stealth. Natalie flew in from a week in Bali and drove straight up to the forest to join us. Her arrival was a welcome diversion from the fact that the night before you and Daddy had been in an accident in my car. You scrambled out of the car, unharmed, but we needed a tow truck to take the car off, never to be driven again.

Snip

Sofia

Yet another visitor came to enjoy our forest, but this time you and I both enjoyed an open air hair cut. Thanks for the matching bobs Amanda No 2.

Mandy

Sofia

A friend of Daddy's, Amanda, came to visit. You love it when we have company; sharing, expressing, relating. We are always so busy caught up enjoying the visit that I forget to take photos. 

The day after Amanda's visit you painted. 

'Who's that?', I asked, assuming it was me and you. 

'It's Mandy and me, mummy', you declare assuredly, as if it should be obvious. 

'Oh yeah, of course', relaxing into my seat, happy in the knowledge that I'm not always the centre of the universe. 

Sock It

Sofia

I've always prided myself on my laundry skills. And I enjoy doing the laundry - sorting, washing, hanging, folding, ironing. Most of all I've never suffered from odd sock syndrome. You changed that and you love this little pair of odd socks so I just keep partnering them up and you keep pulling them on.

They look great with your gum boots, running shoes, dancing shoes and sometimes your thongs. But most of all I like them when you are playing around the house on the wooden floors. Or on the front steps enjoying breakfast with a view.

Settling In

Sofia

We moved house seven weeks ago. We've been busy, unpacking boxes, assembling furniture, working through a long list of things to do and fix. I've been writing blogs in my head for weeks. Tonight, sitting at Nana and Grandad's I find some time and space to write. 

As I look through some photos I took on the day of settlement I marvel at how well you've handled the change. New home, new bedroom, new routines. Changes to your child care arrangements and our social network. Commuting to Brisbane for three days and then back to the property for more busy days as we work through an endless list of tasks. Just getting ourselves settled is challenging. On top of that we are planning new additions and there is a lot of work ahead. 

You've lost your one on one days with each of us and I miss it. Maybe it is time to again adjust the routine to again capture some of that mummy-daughter and daddy-daughter time as it is only months before you start school. 

All of these thoughts float through my head as I rediscovered this photo of you from 23 June. I'm reminded that I need to pull the table you are carrying out of the shed again. It feels like this phase of your childhood is quickly coming to an end and I don't want to miss any more of it. I need to divert my attention from those packing boxes, paperwork and hardware and get back to some painting, play dough and pretending.  

Gioia

Sofia

I hope you look back at this photo and remember today. Many things will change over the coming years but you are our greatest joy.

The Pocket

Sofia

We drive two hours north and arrive at our new house at the same time as Billy the real estate agent. You shyly say hello, we inspect the property, receive the keys and then get started on a quick clean while Daddy unloads equipment into the shed. 

Carmen mops the floors while I clean spider webs and window frames. There isn't much to do as the lovely vendors have already cleaned. They have also charmingly left us a welcome note and freshly cut flowers and home made jam. 

You insist on helping, claiming the mop and pushing it around with great gusto. Then you focus your cleaning attentions on me and I ask you to wipe down the door to your new bedroom. Earnestly wiping and swiping, you stop only briefly to instruct me that when the door is closed we will not be allowed to come in as you will be sleeping. 

Your bed is yet to arrive. In fact it will be two days before we strip the sheets and load the frame and mattress onto the back of the moving van. But you are already planning the rainbow curtains and I'm pleased that you are happy to be moving. In fact, you insist that we stay at the new house all day but it cannot be. 

We pack up the cleaning supplies, enjoy a quick picnic lunch under the warm winter sun and then head back to Brisbane for your last swimming lesson with Anne. As we drive the two hours south we receive news that the settlement has taken place and we are now the proud owners of rural acreage and a blue and white Queenslander perched on a hill.  You are sleeping in the back seat, but Daddy is very emotional and we hold hands as I drive, breathing in as the news reaches my heart and I know life is about to change for us all. 

The Pocket adventure has started. 

June 23rd

Sofia

It's a big day. You spent last night tossing and turning in our bed, waking daddy repeatedly. I abandoned the big bed early on and slept solidly under your pink doona and one of the patchwork quilts Nana has lovingly made for you. 

My alarm wakes me and I tip toe into the shower and rouse myself while you both continue to slumber. 

Dad is up and dressed. I whisper in your ear that today we are going to the new house again. Your eyes flash open and you sit up, sleep slipping from your face. You skip down the hallway and appear back in the kitchen dressed in an ensemble that warms my heart. Pink and gold animal print Hello Kitty high top sneakers all the way from Germany (thanks Esther), pink leggings and a denim skirt that kicks out charmingly. A pink top and a hand knitted cardigan in variegated pink, blue and cream that your great great Aunty Vi knitted. 

The fridge and cupboard are a little bare as we have been running down supplies in preparation for our move so we make a pile of cheese on toast for breakfast and stand in the kitchen discussing the coming day as we eat. 

It's a big day....June 23rd. 

Change

Sofia

Change is coming. I watched you snuggle up with Daddy this morning, and felt a pang as I realized that our days in this house are coming to end. It's been a manically busy time, packing up, juggling work and childcare, travelling, endless to-do-lists.

This morning in the car you went through all the things in your head that need to be done. 

Go to school today - check

Two more sleeps - check

Pack my painting - check

Pack my playdough - check

Take my dolls and toys - check

Put my clothes in a bag - check

Go to the new house - check

A to-do-list of your own. My heart exploded with pride. 

It's been a busy few weeks and it's only going to get busier but you are the catalyst that has made this change a reality. A dream that Daddy and I have shared for many years, and we are more than excited to be sharing it with you. 

A change is coming...and while you grow and change just a little every day, the joy of you remains the same. 

Bath Swims

Sofia

Last year you would sometimes come home from a swimming lesson on Monday and get in the bath to practice your technique.

 

This year you're getting longer, or maybe the bath is getting smaller.

 

Regardless, I still occasionally catch you stretching out, talking to yourself, repeating the phrases you've heard countless times at the pool....big arms, kiiiick, face in the water.

 

I took this photo in July 2013, when you were still earnestly doing your big arms and going nowhere.

You are becoming a better swimmer all the time, but this year has since you take some big leaps...I mean laps.

 

Never Say Never

Sofia

Watching you grow, develop, learn, change and challenge fascinates me more than I could have imagined.

 

Motherhood - one of the best, late, forget-that-I-used-to-say-never, decisions I ever made.

 

August 2013 photo.

Dragons

Sofia

 

I bought you a dragon costume and in October you dressed up. You raced up and down the footpath, roaring and growling. Your green tail swinging wildly as you jumped and raised your claws.

 

I took a series of photos. The problem was deciding which photos to use. I narrowed it to three. 

Fairy Pen

Sofia

Another photo from December last year. A hot day, a barbecue with friends and early Christmas presents were exchanged.

I love this shot.

Cashed Up

Sofia

 

On a rare trip to a toy shop before Easter I bought a toy cash register. You love it, and I love that you are already practicing for your part time teenager job.

Heaven

Sofia

Even though it's all about pink, I love your bedroom. But it's impossible to really capture the way it looks and feels. I sneak into your room each night to check you are sleeping soundly, cover you up if the temperature has dropped, Bluey tucked up beside you.

The mobile above your head is a collection of origami Daddy made following our trip to Japan. In fact I'm sure he was obsessed with origami at the same time that you came into being. I spent hours one day winding white wool around the perfect branch and then delicately stringing each piece so it balanced.

You sleep on a breastfeeding cushion I asked Nana to make. She also made the two square pillows beside you. The blue star pillow was a gift from your great Aunt Marina on our last trip to Italy.

The cube of treasures hangs on the wall. It's full of special things collected since your birth, many of them from Italy and international friends. You regularly climb up and retrieve your favourites. I put them back, torn between the desire to pack them away in tissue paper and wanting you to enjoy them.

Your room is a special place, a haven, a little piece of heaven.

Bathing Beauty



Sofia

 

Bath time is always sweet. You play, we talk. Your lashes and cheeks still carry a touch of babyhood.

 

I miss that chubby little baby. I'm fascinated by the little girl you've become.

 

Selfie

Sofia

 

Transferring photos from your camera is always fun. Today I found myself smiling back.

 

Massage time

Sofia

Dad gave me a massage last night for a sore shoulder. Then it was your turn. Your first go on the big table and you loved it. Lying perfectly still and quiet I marvelled at your composure as his strong hands worked to release your 4yo tensions.

You are always asking Dad about his massage work. You tell me later that he's helping people. He doesn't just massage, but he certainly does help a lot of people. You and me included.

 

Together

Sofia

 

I love taking photos of you doing everyday things. It's often the photos of normal, routine activities that are the most treasured when we look back at them.

 

We don't take enough photos as a family though and this year I need to remember to get us all in front of the lens doing everyday things.

 

Just like this one, hanging out on our bed, talking, laughing and playing together.