Indelible

Etched upon my skin forever more, they have been a part of me since before they were born. My greatest achievements, my loves.

Cradle of love

The wooden cradle is the focal point of the space where we live, as it has been since we brought our Lulu Bean home. She likes to stay close to us, so her daytime naps take place in the eye of the storm while the hustle and bustle of the household carries on around her.

The cradle is not just a place to plonk our clingy little one for a toilet break—to me it represents the space this infant occupies in our lives, the centre of our home and our universe. To me it represents the peace, warmth and softness of a newborn. It is so much more than a simple piece of furniture. It is love.

Lulu Bean is getting too big and mobile for the cradle. Her arms and legs sometimes poke out and she will soon have nowhere to shuffle on her back. Our little family is complete so the cradle's days are numbered. It's going to be incredibly hard to say goodbye, even though we couldn't ask for a better new home. There will be a void where it used to sit, both literally and symbolically. Saying goodbye to this piece of furniture means we are saying goodbye to ever having a newborn in the house again, and all the wonder and magic of getting to know them in those early, hazy days.

Project 52 - February

My Four Hens Project 52.

'Focused' made an appearance in the 'Eye Candy' collection for week seven.

Week 6 - a backyard pool is our little slice of paradise
Week 7 - it was hard work keeping that cachous focused. Made an appearance in week 7's eye candy
Week 8 - I often reflect on how bright and cheerful our dishes are
Week 9 - No colour. Blinding.

It must be love

Catching glimpses of our girls together often stops us in our tracks. We stand and gaze at The Bean interact with her sister so gently, so patiently. No matter what her mood, our toddler has never once raised her voice/been rough/tried to smother/poke/prod/feed/make over her baby sister. She has never directed any anger at her sister in response to "mama can't play right now because Lulu is hungry". When she's sleeping she wants her sister sleeping in her room at the same time 'to keep her safe' (we're not quite sure who's meant to be keeping who safe...). The Bean doesn't appear to resent having this new little person in the house that often requires her to "be quiet!" and "stop running!" Instead, when Lulu Bean cries, The Bean will sing and dance, strum her ukulele, or read her a story.

For her part, Lulu Bean is completely besotted with her big sister. She can't tear her eyes away from her. Her new found giggles come from deep in her belly when it's her sister who's eliciting them.

No doubt we have some 'interesting' times ahead as the parents of two girls, one who we already know is determined. Right now, we're just enjoying watching the formation of a beautiful bond.

Project 52 - January

I have decided to take part in a photo project this year and joined My4Hens Project 52. I set myself a personal sub-challenge to get through the whole year without using photos of my girls. As you can see it only took me four weeks to fail.

Week 1 - My business partner and I relaxed and reflected on 2013
Week 2 - oh, that ear that just won't stand up
Week 3 - longing to be outside in the searing heat on a 40 degree day
Week 4 - my girls, need I say more?
Week 5 - the noise that lulls us to sleep each night

Double up

It was with some horror I realised yesterday that I had forgotten to take family photos with Lulu Bean (that’s the name that seems to have stuck) at the same age as our family portraits with The Bean. How on earth did that happen??? I’m a whole four weeks late, but we got them done.

I’m trying to strike a balance between replicating photos (or as close to replication as possible), and creating a whole new visual story for my youngest. I know that one day the girls will love to look back and see themselves in the same pose at the same age (and it will help us ensure that we don't forget to take photos of number two...)

Four weeks

Eight and twelve weeks respectively

Resolution

Our little business is blossoming into something that is enjoyable and fulfilling. My confidence has grown, my skills have improved, and it looks like we really could make a (small) living doing what we love. So why is it that yesterday I found myself telling a friend that I am still scared to entertain the idea of becoming a full-time photographer because it seems too good to be true?

Now is as good a time as any to come up with some ‘parenting resolutions’ and first on the list is to be a better role model, and teach my girls that they can spend their life doing something that they love.

This week the little one is known as Chica