My baby girl's growing up ...

Wow. Today I completed my last ever 1st birthday invitation. I can't believe my little, tiny weeny, baby girl is going to be 1 in less than 2 weeks.

Was it really a year ago that my belly was that huge? Was it really a year ago that I had the most amazing life changing experience? Was it really a year ago that I laboured long and hard at home in my lounge, my birth pool, my kitchen, my bathroom? Was it really a year ago that I, finally, after years and years of preparation, knowledge seeking, reading, talking, dreaming ... gave birth to my daughter after two previous ceasareans? ...

I feel bad that it was a bit of a rushed job, but I got them out finally.

My gosh have I been busy lately ... and today has been one of 'those' days ... you know, the ones where if something is going to go wrong, it will. Nothing huge, but lots of little things, and all together they drive me nuts, put me in a foul mood, and give me the biggest headache known to man ...

Anyway, enough of feeling sorry for myself. And I should be in a GREAT mood! Tommorrow I fly up to Brisbane for the PMA and the ACOCP AGM. Three days and two nights of completely child free ... busy-ness ... but at least it is child free. I will miss them madly but am determined to enjoy some kid free time. I will SLEEEEEPPPPP ALLLLLL NIIIIIIGGGGHT! ohhhh man. Can't wait. Wish my husband luck with three kids for 3 days and nights ... he'll probably need a valium by Sunday night ...

Angel Wings ...

We finally got our new angel wings all the way from the U. S. of A. ! They are gorgous little ones designed especially for little bodies ... they measure only 21 cms across ... and are simply beeaauutiful!

I love this dimply bum ...

Cocoon wool ...

hi there!

all the baby cocoon info has been transfered here

I'm in PRINT!

Well ... a few months ago a publisher contacted me out of the blue and asked me to take some shots at a childcare centre for their publication called ABC Small Wonders, produced by Hardie Grant Publishers for the ABC childcare centres ... anyway, I got my copy today ... and I'm a little excited!



Hmm ... interesting spelling here ...

Newborn Cocoons ... (imagination required!)

CLICK HERE for more info on BAYBEE COCOONS ...

Ok, so you might need to use your imagination a little bit! ... but I've just completed my first (of many!) baby cocoon ... they are the cutest damn things for newborn photography ...

So use your imagination and replace the teddy for a cute sleepy ultra-newborn and hay presto ... pretty cute ha!? ... now I just need to get my hands on a brandspanking-new-one ... hmm ...

And if there are any photographers out there that don't have time or skills to make their own, I'm a tad addicted to it and will be making quite a lot more, with matching hats, in various colours, happy to take orders - cocoon and matching hat for $40.

Vintage ...

Today, we are trapped inside, it is FREEEEZING outside, not to mention wet. The kids are going nutty, as am I. Must get out of house. Going mad. I've been searching the internet for pictures of warm places ...

Possibly, working on pictures such as these, hasn't helped ... !

Little Billy ...

On Friday I had the privilige of taking a young gentleman's portait ... Of course Friday would have to be 12 degrees, foggy and hailing, and yes, it was a shoot up here in the Hills ... but despite all odds, we got a few good ones ... oh, and the poor little guy had a cephalhaematoma too ...

Introducing 12 day old Billy ...

Rain cleared ..

And we managed to get out of the house.

I absolutely love where we live. These pics were taken at the park on our street and on the path we call the Fairy Forest ...

Rain

Quite a lot of it ...

Jazz had to show me what puddles are really for ...

Reflections ...

See I told you I wouldn't be able to stay away ... it is an addiction ...


Been playing with reflections today ... I think they are quite effective ...

Photo THIRTY

Max having fun with the autumn leaves ...


I cannot believe I am at the end of my challenge! I'm a little sad ... NOT! lol! No, truely it has been lots and lots of fun and I have learnt so much.

I will still be posting regularly, so keep checking back here ... and why not leave me a comment!? ... then I won't feel like I'm just posting for thin air! And I know you're out there ... my hit counter doesn't lie! ...

I feel that for the last 30 days my 'thankful for' thing has been on such a micro level that I need to acknowledge the 'big picture', so excuse me while I indulge, for the last time, I promise ...

THANKFUL FOR

Gorgeous husband. I kid you not, I love this man with every inch of who I am. He is my life blood, my oxygen, my everything. Without him ... well ... I can't even fathom. Thankyou babe, for being a brilliant father, a beautiful individual, and the ultimate life partner. I look forward to growing old with you.

Beautiful children. Oh wow. Where do I start? I'm so lucky to be involved in the ACOCP. Every time I do a shoot, or have a referral for a shoot, I thank my lucky stars that I have three wonderfully healthy children ... It puts a bad day into perspective very quickly. It does make me want to wrap them in cotton wool, but in the eternal words of the great 'Dory' from Finding Nemo "well, you can't not let anything happen to him ... then nothing would ever happen to him!" ... I hope it makes me a better person, mother, wife, daughter. They are who I am. I. love. them. so. much.

Healthy me. It is without a doubt that I acknowledge that without my health, I am useless. I would not be able to enjoy the simple things, or enjoy my children or family. Every day, I am so, so thankful that I am healthy. I turn 30 in about 2 months time, and am determined to be healthier on the day I turn 30, than I have ever been. For without my health, my dreams for the future, are for nought.

Lastly, my Mum and Dad. I have no idea what I would do without them. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful relationship with them. They are truly great friends. I love you guys more than I can put in words. xxxooo

Photo TWENTY NINE

I can't believe I'm posting this. But here goes ...

I didn't dare put it in my rules for my challenge, but I was really wanting to do at least one self portrait before my 30 days were up. So here it is. You wouldn't think that it was taken in the last 5 mintues before a kindy pic up, on the bed because that's where the best light is, and with a very curious baby crawling over my legs would you?

THANKFUL FOR

Photoshop. If I had the courage I would post the image that came straight out of the camera ... but a woman's got to keep her dignity!

One day to go. This challenge has been great, but ... phew ... I'm glad it's nearly over.

Early morning coffee meets with friends. What a way to start the week. Thanks girls! :)

PS: I'm daring Merryn to post a self portrait at least once during her challenge ... you'd better do it girl!

Edited to add: Thanks for the compliment Philly - you can consider yourself 'tagged' by the way! I wanna see a self portrait! ... carn .... !