24.3.12

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Josephine's Monthly Portrait. Taken in her nursery on the 18th of every month. In theory, at least. This month it was a week late. Whoops.

What a difference a month makes! Looking back at last month's portrait, I can't believe it. Day to day the changes in Josephine are tiny, but when you compare these shots to pictures taken just a matter of weeks ago, I realise how different she looks. The hair is thinning in places and growing uncontrollably in others, those cheeks are getting rounder and she's getting longer all the time.

I'd been told by many people that things seem to click around week 8; you hit your stride and suddenly things make more sense. As Josephine turned 9 weeks old, and Ben and I emerged from the haze of horrible illnesses, we found our rhythm. We've had 7 nights with only one night feed, I've managed to do actual housework (and not just the washing up) and I've begun noticing naptime and playtime patterns. Being ill (and I mean really ill) with a baby is the toughest thing. I barely had enough energy to lift Josephine and the nights were beyond exhausting, but we made it through. And, in the midst of a banging headache, swollen throat and fever, I'm sure Phiney gave me a hug; a little squeeze that spurred me on to kick the flu.
Beautiful, sweet, lovely girl.

So, this month Phiney's realised just how cool her hands are and we often catch her intensely staring at them. Most of the time though they're being waved here and there and everywhere (often grabbing handfuls of Mama's hair in the process!), hence the blur in some of these pictures. She's also discovered her tongue and loves poking it out at us and those fleeting smiles of last month have become full on grins that are easily induced with plenty of kisses and some noisy raspberry blowing. Those dimples are hard to resist.

Of course, if you're trying to catch that divine smile on camera it can be a tricky business. For about 10 minutes Ben and I stood behind the camera making silly noises, pulling silly faces and talking in ridiculously exciteable and high-pitched voices. It wasn't until Ben got in close and started chatting to her that the grin appeared and I managed to capture it. Cheeky monkey.
And then she got fed up with the whole thing and decided that some cuddles would be far more entertaining.

14 comments:

  1. Oh I remember it soo well, like it was yesterday... feeling exactly as you do. I found life became easier, I recognised Charlie's rhythm around 3 months. I cracked the breast feeding, sleep was more frequent and he became more fun, giggling, rolling around and more alert. And yes after a rubbish flu (glad to hear you are well) a smile is all you need. She is adorable and those lips - swoon! xx

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  2. What a gorgeous little smile! Although, her look of surprise just after is pretty damn cute as well. xxr

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  3. oh gosh she is so gorgeous! am so glad you are feeling better. whenever i am sick i often wonder how people with children manage - to me you are a superwoman. i can't even look after myself when im sick, let alone another person! haha!

    Kel x

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  4. Nell she is so divine. Her grin is so wide and tells you she loves you. xx

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  5. I still mainly only get frowns from olive. And Phiney's ridiculously adorable either way anyway! I love that finding the hand phase, so funny the look of shock when they randomly wave past the eyes. Kellie xx

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  6. Gosh... isn't she gorgeous! What a little delight. Glad to hear you are finding your rhythm.
    Jasmine x

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  7. Imagine how bloody cool it would be to suddenly realise you have hands???

    Seriously, Nell... the cuteness. That photo of her grinning through the gap in your arm is DIVINE! xx Happy 2 (and a bit) months teeny Phiney xx

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  8. She's beautiful. After the hands phase comes the feet phase...they lie there trying to grab at their toes and pull their socks off, it's adorable. You're right, being ill with little ones is just horrible. Glad you're all better now. x

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  9. OH MY! I cannot get over how much she has changed since I saw her last week! Adorable photos! xxxxx

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  10. Now is she or is she not the cutest baby ever!! Phiney - you're a heartbreaker!

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  11. Happy 2 months (and 1 week) gorgeous Phiney! Hooray for hands and beautiful smiles xx

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  12. She is so cute looking all relaxed between these colorful pillows! You have been tagged today with a little ray of sunshine in my blog, if you fancy joining pop over to check it!

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  13. Nell, im SO sorry to hear that you have been sick. This is awful. There is truly nothing worse. I hope you had some help during the hardest days.

    Glad your feeling better and can now... clean the house??? Are you crazy girl?


    xo em

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  14. oh, I'm sorry you've been sick. that is hard :(
    phiney is looking just scrumptious in this outift and I know exactly what you mean about taking the photos!

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