9.3.12

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Everyday I am amazed by how much Josephine changes week to week. Just check out how much older and more aware she looks in these shots compared to these. This week her smiles have gone from fleeting grins to smile sessions lasting 5 minutes or more. I've seen her look at her own hand and slowly, but with great determination, lower it into her mouth where she can have a nice chew on it. And today, as I type, she's having a (late afternoon now early evening) nap in her moses basket. Last week I tried this on several occasions, but she wasn't having any of it. Far happier snoozing on the sofa or in her Mama's arms. This afternoon she's slept in that basket for more than 2 hours.

We're not really sure if any of this is normal for her age. If she's more advanced or not than the average baby. While we read up on pregnancy and labour, we haven't gone down the route of buying any books on our baby's development. Yet. We're firm believers in the idea that every child grows and develops at their own pace. They have strengths and weaknesses different to other children of their age and it's both unfair and unrealistic to categorise them as many books and websites do. To be honest, I'm more interested in what other Mamas, with similar parenting ideals to us, have to say. Thanks to the wonderful blogging community I find myself in, there is an abundance of advice and ideas out there that I truly respect and will definitely take with me on this journey. Words like these are especially interesting and reassuring. But I am interested to know if anyone does have any good book recommendations that you think I might like. I've heard a lot about this one and am tempted by a copy. You read it?

Over the last few weeks I've also been blessed (and I really do see it as a blessing) with finding some new friends whose advice and shared experiences I am coming to cherish. Other new Mamas who all live within 10 minutes of me and who I'm having so much fun getting to know, chat about our babies, exchange stories and discuss any issues we've faced. There's also a lot of laughter involved. A lot. Today we met at the local park's cafe (fast become our stomping ground) and looked on at the older children imagining our kiddos growing up together and us sitting round the same table over the years to come. I know how lucky I am to find 3 awesome Mamas for Josephine and I to spend some of our days with, and it's lovely to think Phiney has Aoife, Ari and Oliver to get to know as she grows.

Pictures taken earlier this week. Phiney soaking up some spring sunshine in her pink tights and stripey dungarees. Too delicious.

26 comments:

  1. she is divine. I feel like i've been missing in action too so glad to read up on what you've been doing and glad to hear those mamas are keeping you laughing! keep those beautiful photos coming. x

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  2. She is the cutest of the cutest! Squeeze! Oh yes, we must meet up soon... I'd love to meet you and your lovely little girl. x xx

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  3. Hey - thanks for stopping by my blog. Your daughter is beautiful. Great name. Those mums you meet in the early days can be a lifeline. My eldest is five and I still see my NCT gang loads. Re books...I wouldn't recommend the Contented Little Baby Book (it turned me into a routine obsessed nutter) but it sounds as though you know what you are doing!

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  4. Hi Gillian - I've heard to steer clear of that book, thanks for the advice! It's so nice to hear you're still in contact with your NCT ladies. And thanks for stopping by here too xx

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  5. oh bless her little pink socks! she's a heartbreaker. gorgeous photos that just make me want to have a bubba girl even more.

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  6. Oh so happy to see posts from you again. Little Jospehine is truly DIVINE - such a pretty little thing. And I'm thrilled to hear you have found a supportive and friendly Mumas group - what a blessing. One questions: how is Aoife pronounced? I'm assuming it's Celtic (there's a few little girls with Celtic names at Che's school and the pronunciation is SO different to the spelling) x

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  7. Glad you have a good mother's group. I do too and absolutely love them all. What's also great is that we've all had second babies around the same too, so there is such a little gaggle of us now.

    Josephine is such a cutie. Keep those pictures coming. x

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  8. Jodi - Celtic names are SO tricky! It's pronounced E-fa. I had no clue when her mum Aisling text me it when she was born, but it's beautiful isn't it xx

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  9. Such a CUTIE!!!! It's just incredible the rate at which they develop isn't it? They are amazing little things. As for book recommendations I've got nothing... I'm yet to read any either! Jess x

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  10. What a little cutie, she is adorable! x

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  11. Hey Nell,

    She is just so so cute.
    And for the book reading - don`t dare even starting! Seriously. They drive you nuts. Even the good ones. As for the one that was recommended (about the french parenting): It`s basically common sense, really. You`ll do it just perfectly fine.
    Here in Germany need to see our doctor every couple of months and they make sure everything is within the scale. And as long as this is OK, I´m fine.

    Listen to your gut, it`ll tell you what`s food and not.

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  12. Gosh Nell she is so cute. Bet you can waste hours just looking at her, knowing that you are looking at the cutest baby on earth! I know I did. Those baby group friends are the best. Erin (now 18) still counts one of her baby group friends in her circle of best friends. When she went off to Oxford, Alice went to Cambridge so something good was happening in the water that year! I an jealous of all those years of excitement ahead of you. As for the book thing - I read loads but to be honest my best advisor was my instinct. If it feels right for you and your family it probably is right. Lots of love x By the way - am going to fetch Erin tomorrow - so excited - you never get over gazing at your beautiful girl x

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  13. I just found your blog the other day, very sweet pictures. Your little girl is adorable! Love the quilt!

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  14. Best photos of Teeny yet! So lush I wanna kidnap her! xxxxxxxxxxx

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  15. ps. she is looking so much like you in these. The photo of you on mums shoulder in the car..you know the one? xx

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  16. That precious little face, such a beauty. Is the basket a common thing in your area? We don't do it in the states, but I love the idea of laying your baby down to sleep in safe little basket. I'm assuming it's the one you showed a picture of awhile back that her Nanny made the liner for...? Either way, it totally makes sense!

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  17. beautiful baby girl, beautiful reflections... It is truly wondrous watching these little people grow and explore their body and world around. I agree with the sentiment of letting babies - children - grow and develop at their own pace - "free-range" and encouraged completely :)

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  18. Oh Nell what a lovely wee one. Mama friends are so precious. Love your blog, Jo x

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  19. Your Josephine is absolutely precious :) And cherish your new mamas group- they will keep you grounded! Lovely blog!

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  20. it really is a blessing to find women close by who are in the same boat and non-judgemental. it's what you need right now. josephine is so bloody adorable! x

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  21. oh gosh - she is so very gorgeous! makes me want to speed up the baby plans for sure :)

    am also loving that romper and quilt. these photos would look great all framed together!

    Kel x

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  22. Keep em coming Nell. Wow Phiney has changed so much. Just as delicious as ever. Hooray for blossoming friendships! xx

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  23. I really loved this post... there's such positivity in your writing, I can just tell you're loving it. So happy to hear you're forging friendships with other Mums.

    Phiney is INSANELY adorable!! xx

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  24. Ah yes - I recall the "i will only sleep on you" phase, which had me stressing will I EVER be able to put him down? Of course, I barely even remember that stage now!
    Sounds like you're going great guns, and why wouldn't you be - she's the sweetest little thing! (love that beautiful quilt too)

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