Dear Lola, 

There is a little date that has been circulating in my mind for the past 9 months. 

The 27th of September. 

I don't particularly feel I need to refer to it as my 'due date' as such, as I believe our baby will arrive at the exact moment that it's meant to, and no one date can be singled out. I can happily say though, that today I have been carrying our baby for 40 weeks, and I'm feeling great!

If I look a little reflective in the above photo, it's only because I'm in absolute awe of what my body has achieved. I feel overwhelmingly blessed that I have been able to carry this baby of ours so far.

I feel comfortable (mostly) and ready (mostly) to bring this baby into our big wide world. 

I'm still carrying you around Lola, spinning you around, dancing & running about. 

I'm trusting my body, and feel instant ease & peace knowing your papa will be by my side for the entire journey.

Our bags are packed, and amongst the treasures are lavender from our garden, a few photos that make me happy, and a collection of calming music.

With each passing day the suspense is building, as is our desire to meet you & hold you. 

We will wait patiently (as we waited for you Lola), and I'll continue to savour every moment that you are still snuggled up inside my belly.


Happy days.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

38/52

I could stare at your little peach face all day long. 

As the day that we will meet the little one draws closer, I find myself daydreaming about what they might look like. Will he/she have your olive skin & those dark & deep eyes that your papa gifted you with? Whatever we have created, I'm sure I'll get very little done as I will have twice the amount of loveliness to gaze upon.

Your mama

Dear Lola,

37/52

You have been a avid David Bowie fan for a while now. Space Oddity and Changes being your favourite songs, with Under Pressure following closely behind. You dance, sing & listen to Bowie albums daily, and whenever we hop in the car it's the first thing you request. I believe your words were "just close your eyes and listen to the music papa." When we wanted you to have a little rest in the car, & we suggested we listen to something different and a little more laid back you said "well there is that one Bowie song with the piano, and the piano is very relaxing to listen to.." I guess we can't argue with that peachy girl.

Your mama

a little nursery tour

Dear Lola,

A little peek into the nursery. A room I sit in and dream a little dream of you.

I love that the room overflows with handmade treasures (the latest addition being the stunning dream catcher that hangs above the chest of drawers & the change mat, made lovingly by your auntie siany). 

There are plenty of treats that you have helped me pick out Lola - the knitted zebra being your favourite. And there is a simple thread of coloured beads you made and hung off one of the owl hooks your papa created. You also placed your precious little white bunny nightlight in there for the baby.

The cane chair, the blue wooden crate & the white wicker bassinet basket are all recycled treasures found on the nature strip. And we decided to keep the blackboard in the room, as you thought it would be a good place to teach the baby to draw.   

A warm, soft light enters the room & a couple of huge hydrangea bushes sit just outside the window, ready to burst full of colourful flowers.

My hope is that this room gives our baby the same sense of calm, peace & feelings of love that wash over me when I sit in there.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

36/52

After reading me your entertaining interpretations of six books this morning, you closed the last book and sighed - 

"Ah Mama you have been so patient, would you like a cuppa tea now?"

You never cease to amaze me. And yes, I did enjoy that cuppa.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

35/52

Our light, love and roaring dino.

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

A bunch of my favourite photos from a weekend spent by the river with the WHOLE family. 

Family reunions such as these may only occur a couple of times a year, but when they do, we naturally take off from the last time we gathered, and we sure know how to make the most of it.

Cousins reunited & playing chasies with Uncle Marty

This kid was a dinosaur in another life.

Bonding over cricket.

My turn yet?

Showing papa how to play french cricket.

Moonee Moonee creek/beach

Besties.

Hip Hip Hooray for Olive

Waiting patiently for purple cake!

Checking out Olive's new train set

A bit blurry, but nonetheless one of my favs of these two love bugs.

Till next time Adelaide Jamesons! 

Your mama

Dear Lola, 

On a beautiful Spring morning, I was treated to a very special pre-baby celebration. 

As five ladies (mum, jules, lola, edie & I) enjoyed a delicious morning tea by the oceans shore, a little play on the sand followed.

We have one truly blessed babe on our hands, as the most precious and most lovely gifts were presented to one very overwhelmed & grateful mama.
 

waiting for our vanilla milkshakes & banana bread with ricotta & maple syrup - delicious!

the tea party continues on the sand

gift time & tear time.

just have a look at all those lovingly made & hand picked gifts...

I can't tell you how much fun I'm having finding a home in the nursery for all these delights. 

Auntie Jules made the very sweet wool wrapped design pictured above, as well as the bunny hamper and the darling rain drop. 
Your Oma knitted the most precious blanket, the sweetest sheep pillow that makes me smile so big, as well as a tiny hat, cardy and red overalls, to name but a few. Oh and I haven't even included the knitted hot air balloon that will float above the crib!

I'm pretty certain that our baby will look back on this day and feel just as loved as I do.

Your mama