Dear Lola, 

13/52

The idea that a giant white fluffy bunny is going to hop into your lounge room and hide eggs under the pillows was enough for you to say - "Mama, I'll stay in bed sleeping with the door closed when Easter bunny comes..." 

The leopard mask was for added protection against said bunny. 

This here is your brave face.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

I'm planning ahead. 6 months ahead. Our littlie is due to arrive shortly before your 3rd birthday. Like 5 days before. Therefore I'm planning, gathering and creating a special birthday gift for you over the coming months. Because turning 3 is a pretty big deal.

I was inspired by these images.

And with these in mind I'm creating for you, your own fairy garden. I think we may use an old drawer as the base, as we seem to have a lot of those lying around.

Initially, I thought I'd be making every little detail myself, until I realised a whole big world of fairy lovers out there, who create some pretty special stuff. I'll still be making bits & pieces, but I couldn't go past a few of these treasures.. and I'm pretty sure they will arrive with plenty of time to spare.

the house - hand sculpted of polymer clay with a moss roof

every house needs a letter box with a snail that eats the mail (just like at ours)

A few special friends.

the sweetest lady bug clothes line

and pushbike

a table for dining out under the stars! 

Gosh I hope you love it as much as I love creating it! There's still a long way to go, but thankfully, time is on my side.

I'll be back with the finished garden in October.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

12/52

Today your favourite colour is blue. Today you said you want to grow up to be a bird. Today you had pancakes for breakfast. Today you said autumn is going to put on a show for us. Today you kissed my belly. Today you missed your papa. Today your favourite animal is an armadillo. Today, we are so very thankful to be able to call you ours.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

What is autumn Lola?

Lola: "When all the leaves fall off everything and the birds sing louder & louder."

We spent the entire morning in the backyard. No kindygym, library story time, playground, play dates or groceries to attend to. Just backyard lounging on a few pillows scattered on the grass. We talked about autumn time and how the trees will soon become nudie rudies. But as we lay there and looked around our garden, all we saw was GREEN. SO much fresh greeny goodness for us to gaze upon and explore. It was so calming to duck back out when you were napping to take a few photos of our garden.

And when we did finally get out of our pjs just before midday, you jumped straight into something a little more challenging... 

Nothing quite like a garden and gumboot kind of morning.

Your mama

Dear Lola,

I've decided to record our pregnancy journey like this - a few photos every week or two, accompanied by a few thoughts from the week. 
I figure this kid may not receive the same in depth level of documentation you did... I will try, but lack of time & sleep may prevail (sorry second child). So I may as well get ahead of the game while this littlie is still safely snuggled in my belly, and record a few bits & pieces of this magnificent journey. Both the sweet & the sour, as I like to think of it.

Here goes nothing.

WEEK 12 - from the bushland beyond our back fence.

The Sweet:

*You. Glorious you Lola, and your questions & interest & love. Some of my favs - "Is baby dancing now?" "Can I teach baby to shake its hips?" "Are you feeling sick mama?" "Must be from baby dancing again." You ask a bazillion questions and hug & kiss the little bump constantly.
*My mama buying a huge jar of gherkins, and me, only me eating them all within 12 hours of receiving them. Craving pickles is not a myth.
*Sharing the news with family.
* I cooked dinner for the first time in 6 weeks... even if it was only hamburgers. Baby steps.
*Papa taking me for tours of our garden & pointing out all the new flowers he has planted. Lovely marigolds make me feel better, and I'm informed they are a natural mozzie repellent to boot!
*Your papa (and all the things he does for me & you - which is pretty much everything)
*The feeling of having a little life growing in me. Bliss.



The Sour:

*One word - nausea. And feeling said word all. day. long.
*4am bathroom trips - and steping on lego along the way.
*Tiredness & napping at bizarre times - 6pm anyone? 
*Craving sweet & sour chicken the whole time I was writing this post. Yep.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

11/52

That face. It's only taken me 11 weeks, but I think I've finally found my focus for this '52' project. Capturing your face, with it's endless expressions, and as it grows, beams, frowns, smiles & stares throughout the year. It may be a simple focus, but oh-how-excited I am to look back after 52 weeks, and to line up the sweet photos of your face & marvel at the changes. Better have a box of tissues at the ready!

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

With the news that you're going to be a big sister well and truly settling in, and the queasiness slowly subsiding, we can turn our minds to the fun stuff.

Like thrift shopping for our widdle, bitty baby. I've missed searching for clothes so tiny! And we both agreed, we couldn't possibly leave the penguin behind. Or the puzzles...

 Without giving too much away, we may or may not already have a few chester drawers dedicated to treasured baby finds. And seeming the baby made its presence so felt in Sri Lanka, we picked up a few things there too - like these stacking rabbits.

I can tell this is going to be fun!

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

A weekend getaway was all this growing family needed.

A weekend full of family, beautiful food, the river, the ocean & the hammock. Oh, and a good dose of sorbet of course!

We'll let the photos do the talking...

the little sandbank islands sprinkled throughout the middle of the river were spectacular!

proud as punch.

jumping off the sandbanks into the river on your bottom is the best fun

making sandy crocodiles to scare mama.

the most plump, fresh figs from Farmer Mottrams garden.

 

lunch with a view.

omi has lots of lovely things.

morning swims at hyams beach.

lunch is served.

 busy making sorbet

 

Your mama