Saying "I love you" without words

There are some things that I am better at than your Daddy, but one of those things is not transferring you sleeping into the car. That crown is for who I lovingly call "The Transfer King".

However you were asleep in my arms, so I decided to give it a shot. But of course you woke up, and you had only now slept for a few minutes so I was sure you would become very upset in the car.

Although you were clearly very tired, you didn't cry. Instead you held your hand out to me, and I reached out expecting you to playfully tap my hand or pull away.

Yet, again you surprised me by holding on tightly to my hand for the entire car ride. The warmth of your soft little hand holding on to mine made my heart melt. A moment in time I never wish to forget. 

The time I unsuccessfully transferred you, but you showed me you loved me despite my failings. 

Blossoming friendship

Over the past few months you have been developing a lovely friendship with a little girl named Melody. In a world where everyone makes very different parenting choices it is amazing to find other families that make all the same choices as you. Yet you and Melody have many things in common thanks to your parents.

This means you both have similar favourites when it comes to food, you both use the potty and often sit together on the potty which is very sweet. You both enjoy playing with "non toys" and being outside getting grubby in nature.

Melody gets very excited when her parents tell her you are coming to visit, and you get very excited and will happily get dressed or go in your car seat if you know we are going to see Melly. 

So it's unsurprising that the other night when we were babysitting Melly you were very excited. Sharing bath time together, splashing each other and swapping ducks and blocks. Melody even helped wash you.

Once we got into bed together, you on one side of me feeding, Melody on the other side snuggling her "wawa's" (koala bears). For a moment I dared to think how easy this was to put you both to sleep....until you sat up and started chatting away hilariously to Melly. It was then I realized that even if you are only ten months old, it is still super exciting to have a friend sleep over and you will want to chat and play well into the night.

Eventually you both did get to sleep. I hope that your friendship with Melly continues to blossom. But she will always be your first true friend. 

Daily rhythms

It's here! Spring has sprung. Though we still wake to chilly mornings, by mid morning we are stripping off jumpers and socks as the sun has taken the chill off the earth. 

Our days have a rhythm to them now. We wake to the sound of birds singing and after some milk and playtime on the bed our rumbling tummies insist we leave our comfy haven.

Before breakfast we visit the chickens to say good morning and have a quick look at the garden, the grass still wet with dew so Mama won't let you down to roam just yet. The fairy wrens that have taken up residence in our garden sing and play, flying across the adjoining backyards. 

Then, we enjoy breakfast most days on the patio so that we can feel the warmth of the sun and you love watching the birds flying above and trying to spot planes.

From there our days are mostly spent in the garden playing. Throwing toys for the puppies to chase. Finding a patch of dirt to sift between your fingers and taste. Pulling the leaves off the snow peas and carrots, or anything you can reach. 

Eventually you tire and Mama will feed you to sleep, still sitting outside as you snuggle on my lap. I love these special days, and the promise of many more beautiful days like this one fill my heart with excitement and hope. 

Full bloom

Your here! Of course you have been here for the past nine months but suddenly you seem so much more present in this earthly realm. It's difficult to explain.

It's like you have been slowly unfolding your petals gradually showing more and more of yourself, then suddenly you are in full bloom. 

You crave interaction. You instigate games like peekaboo. In a crowd you will call out and roar until you get the person of your interests attention.

Everything is fun and a wonderful adventure. You have mastered the stairs both up and down. You confidently climb off the bed. You crawl off outside to see the birds playing in the trees and explore the garden eating dirt and rocks. 

You recognise people you love like your Mama and Daddy. When your Poppy arrives at the door you will stop anything you are doing to go answer the door jumping up and down grinning from ear to ear. The mere mention of your best friend Melody's name makes you happy and seeing you two together is the sweetest sight. 

Everyday is filled with endless possibilities. Seeing the world through your eyes is amazing.