25/52

"A Portrait of my daughter once a week, every week in 2014"

Lottie Cakes: Yellow Fever vaccinated and ready for the Amazon! When we got home you showed off your "ouchies" to your grandparents and then told them you got a lolly for your troubles. When they asked you if it was worth it you matter-of-factly answered "YES!"

The twos can be terrible when your over-tired or over-sugared but this week I am finding you oh so sweet and cuddly. In the morning you wake up with a smile and an "I wuv you mummy" followed by eskimo kisses and little milky morning breath. It's pretty hard to have too bad a day when they start out like that!

You have started reading us stories, sometimes with the book upside down and often with mostly words of gibberish but done with such enthusiasm it's hard not to applaud your effort. 

I have been slacking on this space as of late but for an important cause. In three sleeps time we embark on a round the world journey with one mama, one papa, one wild child and three backpacks. Next weeks photo will feature a sunscreen laden ginger girl in Thailand. 

Linking up with Practising Simplicity and Living Arrows.

24/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week in 2014"

Lottie Cakes: You are growing so quickly and taking in so much. Sometimes (all the time) your wit and humor amaze me. You keep us in stitches tiny lady.

Your imagination is endless, when we wake in the morning I ask about your dreams and you tell me stories of dinosaurs, sheep and airplanes that you experienced in your sleep time. 

You are wild and fiery like your ginger locks and I wonder how I'll ever keep up. 

Lately you've been asking for a baby, a sister or a sometimes a boy. We'll see little one, we'll see...

Gypsy the BabyDog: My sweetheart, my first baby girl, my darling temperamental ball of cuddles who has travelled 3 continents by my side. Today we took you to see your new temporary home while we will be away. You will be snuggled into the other redhead in your life while we are off on our travels and you will have your own holiday, living on the beach. I miss you already.

Linking up with Practising Simplicity and Living Arrows.

23/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week in 2014"

Lottie Cakes: Sweet Dreams little darling. This photo is dark and blurry but it pretty much sums our week. You have been sick and coughy as have I and we can't wait until our sunny getaways. Melbourne's wintertime may finally be upon us and we're really feeling it in our bones. In this photo you crawled up on the sofa and in a couple minutes you were fast asleep, tiny little snores floating in the air. You have spent many a night and a nap time this week tucked away on my chest with your little koala arms wrapped around me. I wonder how long this will last - my baby in my arms snuggled  into me. I am hoping forever but I know these days are precious and limited so ill enjoy your toddler smell and those tiny kisses and hugs while I can.

Linking up with Practising Simplicity and Living Arrows.

Perspective

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are"

Anais Nin

These wise words resonate in my head often. Their truth and simplicity seem so obvious when you say them out loud but when you are in the thick of life they are easily overlooked. I have recently took a step back, re-evaluated and looked at things around me and realized the only change I have control of is from within. My lack of patience is not to be put onto others with blame, other peoples negativity doesn't seep into me unless I let it and looking at things from the eyes of others only broadens my viewpoint on the subject, never narrowing it. Unkind words aimed at me with no starting point have nothing to do with me, they have to do with the one who throws them and I must strive never to be that pitcher and to be empathetic to the one that is. They are having a much harder time than they are able/willing to express and we all know how that can feel.

The world lost a beautiful woman this week. A strong, fearless, inspiring human, the kind I want my daughter to look up to and aspire to such ways of thinking. Maya Angelou said, among many insightful things, "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

So right you were Dr. Angelou!

Taking these photos today reminded me when things are difficult, seeming unbearable or just aren't going the  way I would like, I need to get up shift myself and change perspective.

Stills: The Week That Was.

1. Roast

2. Grandparents

3. Showers brought flowers

4. Teddys Break

5. Mother's Day Leftovers

6. End of the Week Treats

7. Sunday Session

8. Tiny Pals

9. Artiste

10. Birthday Kale

Linking up with The Beetle Shack.