Dear Juliet,

So you probably know I'm a little obsessed with photography right now, learning everything I can, reading everything I can. Including blogs, and especially willette designs's blog. I did the Finding the Love exercises on there in February and got some amazing photos I treasure. Well, at the moment there's a challenge on there called right now, which is about capturing the random, but precious things about life. I want that so badly. I want you to be able to see these things, remember some of them, and I want to be able to do that, too.

So here's my photo I submitted this week:

It's not the sort of thing I think to photograph most of the time-- I do pumpkins and pine cones in the winter and autumn. It's spring now, time for flowers and bright colours and full bloom.

But you, my little love, found this one random pine cone in the park the other day and insisted we bring it home to show daddy. I love that-- your wonder and the beginnings of you thinking about yourself and your world in relation to other people. So we brought it home and you've kept it by your bed-- you insisted on bringing it to bed, and who was I to tell you no? Obviously, the prickly little "cone" didn't make it too long in your bed, and I can't blame you, but it's stayed right beside your bed except for the moments you bring it out to show me, daddy, Si, and anyone else, including waving it at people out the window. The way you cradle it and think it's a special treasure is wonderful. I hope you always love new things and nature like that, although I suspect (judging from the way you freak out over spiders, worms, and bits of random fluff floating in the air) that you'll be more of a city girl like your mama. I can dream, though.

Sleep tight next to your cone, my little seedling.

Love you right now,
Mummy

Dear Littles,

I'm so sorry to have neglected this so long. Life has taken over- one of you is very two with a strong temper and even stronger will. The other is growing by leaps and bounds suddenly-- close to crawling, sitting up, eating solids, and keeping me on my toes. We've had chicken pox, a holiday (yes, I took you both on an aeroplane to America on my own). I've spent more time than I can even account for cleaning and tidying and giving cuddles and snacks and trying to make sure you both have the richest experiences out of life. I hope I'm doing OK.

I feel a little daunted by the whole getting back into this, so I think maybe I'll just post a few things I'm loving at the moment and maybe a few photos to catch us up.

1. I love waking up with Simon in our bed. It's far from comfortable for me-- I end up lying on one side aching and balancing on the edge of the mattress, but I love the way you open your eyes for a second, see I'm still there and then drift back off, or grin at me once you're up for good.

2. I love Juliet's new thing of saying she "needs" stuff, like Cbeebies, Biscuits, and cuddles. What else could a person need?

3. I love that Juliet has discovered how to make a fake, cheesy smile.

4. I love that Simon is going longer between feeds (Hallelujiah!!), and love the moments in the night of sleepy nursing in the dark.

5. I love simultaneous naps.

6. I love seeing Si exploring new foods and tastes. We started with purees, mainly because we started early at the paediatrician's advice, but now you're picking things up and tasting them and chewing them and it's amazing to watch.

7. I love how you ask me for lotion, Juliet. Also that you think I can put it in your eyes.

8. I love how Juliet's saying Juliet King, Si King, Mummy King, and Daddy King. This melts me.

 

Of late, darlings, I've felt pretty happy. Busy beyond anything I can ever remember, but in a happy way. Like I'm doing something important and trying my best to enjoy every moment of it.

More to come soon.

Love,
Mummy

Dear Juliet

Dear Precious Girl,
Today I was a bit tearful sitting in the lounge with you and Simon. It was exhaustion, frustration, loneliness, feeling sorry for myself, like no one cared about me. Sometimes I just feel so "give-ed" out.
And you chose that moment to come over, pat my leg, and say, "Matter, Mummy?" and give me a cuddle and I love you so much for that. You fill my soul all the way up, and give me more to give when I'm all out.
I'm so, so, so thankful tonight that you're my daughter.

All my love and thanks,
Mummy