AFTERMATH: the post-christmas clear up

And so begins the sorting. Josephine got a haul of the most wonderful wooden, secondhand and handmade presents as well as some lovely clothes to grow into. But where to put them all....

And it's not just the gifts that need sorting. With several nights of very tricky sleep, it would seem that this little bird just doesn't want the party to end. Here's to a quiet one tonight Phiney, please?!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

From our family to yours, we wish you all a very happy Christmas. We hope you've had the most wonderful of days full of fun, food, love and laughter. And here's to amazing adventures in 2013.

Thank you so much for visiting our little space this year, your comments and support make me smile everyday.

Much love folks xx

Josephine's reaction to discovering her stocking this morning. Our first Christmas Day with this little sprite has been magical and hilarious. She's loved every second, and so have we. She's the bestest present ever and we love her so.

Gorgeous babygrow courtesy of Joules.

SPONSORED POST: joules

I'm sure you'll have noticed by now our very lovely main sponsor, Joules. This awesome British brand is packed full of beautiful and classic designs, colourful and fun details and lovely pieces for the whole family. When they became an advertiser they were kind enough to send Josephine some of the sweetest little things to try out.

Josephine is an avid animal lover, and this adorable top got her smiling from the moment she saw it. She regularly looks down and points to her tummy when she's wearing it, happily chatting to the little cat. At Joules it's all about the attention to detail and the contrasting neck, hem and cuffs, the poppers and the beautiful applique are what make this top so sweet. Plus the thick 100% cotton stripes are super soft. We were also lucky enough to get this lovely babygrow. It's still a little big but will make the most colourful pjs in the months to come.

There are plenty of pieces I'd happily take right now (how gorgeous are these pillowcases...and how sweet are these ones?) and with their amazing sale now on, you can get your hands on some really good quality items for a fraction of the price. What's not to love?!

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: eleven months

Here we are, the last Monthly Portrait before Josephine turns one. It's been a month full of "this time last year I was decorating the tree with a massive bump" and "this time last year we were finishing the nursery." How fast the last 12 months have flown. How amazing they have been.

This has been a difficult month for our little bird. Namely because she's spent the majority of it ill (hence my lack of blogging). Last week she was put on antibiotics for a chest and ear infection and they really seem to have worked. She's (mostly) back to herself and it's lovely to see her happy again after a lot of gloomy days.

Over the weekend, with her medicine kicking in, Phiney started back on the walking journey and has completed some pretty impressive treks. Seeing her walk is the most crazy thing. She's still so small! It's awesome to see and she has the biggest smile on her face as she paces the room.

There are also more words being spoken, animal noises being impersonated (she does a great monkey, lion, dog, snake and duck now) and antics being shown that make us realise she's quickly, too quickly, becoming a toddler. Including the odd tantrum, which it's hard not to laugh at I must admit. The girl can be ever so dramatic when she wants to be...

As Christmas gets closer and closer, Josephine's excitement is growing. I think she's picking up the festive vibes Ben and I are giving off and is enthralled by the Christmas tree and opening her advent calender. It's going to be so lovely watching her over the coming week, as friends and family visit and presents are given and received.

I can hardly believe her next (and last) Monthly Portriat will be 12 months. We'll have a one year old! How did that happen? But before all that, we have an amazing few weeks to look forward to. Christmas is so much more fun with our tiny dancer around :)

FIRST CHRISTMAS: new traditions

Today Josephine met Father Christmas for the first time. We went to a lovely little garden centre that had been turned into a winter grotto, with my Nan, sister, cousin and her little girl. Phiney looked at the lines of trees, thousands of sparkling lights and the two reindeer, Stardust and Twinkle, with wonder. Christmas truly is magical when you have a baby in tow. Just watching her take it all in, hearing her 'ohhh' and 'ahhh', was the sweetest thing.

I've been thinking recently of the Christmas traditions we'll build as a family, and I think taking Josephine to see Father Christmas will definitely be one of them. We're already starting to develop little rituals - we open Phiney's advent calender together every evening, with the Christmas snow globe playing Walking in a Winter Wonderland and she absolutely loves it - but I'd love to know what your family's festive traditions are. Where does Father Christmas deliver your children's presents (living room? bedroom? help, I can't decide!) Do you leave him a glass of milk or a tipple of whiskey? Do you open presents before or after lunch?

Ohhhhh...I'm getting excited just thinking about it all :)

AFTERNOON FUN

This afternoon was one packed with playtime, buddy-time, festive-times and walking; the most Josephine's done so far. 17 steps from me to Ben. It's time to get this gal some shoes...

Feeding her bear / mama-daughter selfie / the ornament Phiney chose at the Christmas market / she sits watching the lights twinkle for much of the day / never very far from me at the moment / "tree", as Josephine likes to shout (about 100 times a day!) / so dramatic / three buddies born just days apart / festive treats for the Mamas / feeding Tony the Toadstool (made from this awesome book) / building her own tower / mesmerised by the tree once again.

INSTAGRAM THEME, PART ONE: park life

Come rain or shine, this girl loves a ride on the swing...

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: ten (and a half) months

Josephine's Monthly Portrait. Taken in her nursery on the 18th of every month. Or there abouts...

This has been one crazy month. Our little baby suddenly appears to have become a little girl. Her face has changed, her hair's got long and so curly, she's making new sounds and saying new words and she's playing a whole new range of games. Oh, and SHE TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!! Last week her balance became more steady and one day she just took four steps. Then five steps. And everyday since she's become even better at standing on her own, and has been taking little steps here and there. Not quite walking, but soon they'll be no stopping this girl.

It's so amazing to think that this time last year, as we put up our tree and counted down to Christmas, we were yet to meet Josephine. And now here she is, developing into the most awesome of little people.

Her imagination has really kicked in over the last 6 weeks too, and you can find her playing with her toys in a whole new way nowadays. She's feeding her teddies and dolls with a spoon, 'mmmm-ing' and 'num-num-ing' as she does; she reads her books so seriously, chatting away as if she's reading to herself, studying the pictures so carefully.

It is the most wonderful thing to spend my day with Josephine, even better to spend our days all three of us together. Phiney's face lights up when she's sat in bed with Mama and Papa, playing Peepo under the covers and having cuddles a-plenty.

We are so in love with you Josephine. More every minute of everyday. And we love the wonderful, sweet and hilarious person you're becoming.

ps. Jodi...the dungerees finally fit, hooray!

HAPPY CIRCUS: christmas sale

Still searching for a special gift for that little person in your life? Well, head over to Happy Circus now and get a whopping 20% off all our vintage pieces for the next 24 hours only. Just enter the promotional code VINTAGECHRISTMASSALE to claim your discount.

Discount applies to vintage clothes only, not knitted or felt goods.