MONTHLY PORTRAIT: may

The ever-changing relationship of sisters! Most of the time they are so happy to play together and be with each other. They're the best of friends. And other times...not so much. And it can all change in the blink of an eye (or a dispute over who was playing with which doll/car/playmobil guy or getting too many cuddles!) xx

JUMPING

Just your average Wednesday morning with these two. So much happiness from simply jumping on the bed with your sister, in your night clothes.

That balloon didn't leave Phiney's hand from the moment she was given it (at a very exciting little project she was asked to be involved with). There were almost tears the morning the girl's found it wrinkled and flat.

THE LITTLE ONE

When Ben was off work over the Easter holidays, he and Josephine spent many happy hours at the allotment. Coralie's still a little small to head there with them (if they want to get work done, and not spend the morning chasing after her ensuring she doesn't eat everyone else's produce!) so Coralie and I had a couple of mornings just the two of us. We're used to a few hours in the afternoon, post nap and before dinner when Phiney is at pre-school, but with longer to spare in the mornings we went to the park and the meadow. It felt strange to do those things with just Coralie. To only chase after one child, only have one baby to push on the swings.

Of course I did all those things with just Josephine before Coralie was born, but rarely only with Coralie. It's something we'll be doing a lot of though come the autumn when Josephine starts school.

I have lots of feelings about school, and most of them I'd rather not dwell on now...I'm still in denial that my teeny Phiney is almost ready to go. But the one on one time I'll get with this monkey will ease my Mama heart. I wonder what Coralie will get up to without Josephine leading the way.

As much as I'd wish time to slow down, as much as I want to savour each second of now and as much as I wish the girls would stay this age forever, there's also so much excitement about what's to come. So much excitement to see them grow and become more like themselves with every day.

Motherhood is such a rollercoaster ride...

SISTERS

WEARING: [Josephine] Next dress and cardigan // La Coqueta tights // Clarks boots [Coralie] Dress found at T K Maxx // H&M cardigan // Coco & Wolf bloomers // La Coqueta tights // Clarks boots

The friendship between our girls has really developed over the last couple of months, and it makes my Mama heart so happy to see them laughing and chatting, and genuinely enjoying each other's company.

I think with Coralie changing so much since Christmas - she can talk so well now, and make herself understood much more - things are much easier for both Josephine and Coralie. There seems less frustration and arguments, and much more getting along and playing games together. It's so lovely to see.

Of course there is still friction - Coralie isn't the most delicate person, and train tracks and Playmobil scenes can get quite easily destroyed - but Phiney is appreciating that it isn't Coralie being naughty and just that she isn't quite as co-ordinated, or doesn't quite understand the game yet. For someone who is normally rather lacking in patience (just like me!) Josephine often blows me away by how calm she can remain when it comes to dealing with her little sister. Not always of course, but mostly :)

I'm so proud of these girls. So proud to be their Mama.

Also, I love the series of portraits of them outside our front door that's growing.

THE MANY FACES OF CORALIE: a series in black and white

The happiest, craziest little thing. So many expressions, each funnier and sweeter than the last. Her brilliant fake grumpy face (look how her eyes are still smiling!) and that hearty, honest laugh; the gappy teeth, just like her big sister.

A few pictures I snapped on a gloomy morning, whilst we were still in our pjs. I think leaving my camera on the table is always a good idea - moments like this are so easy to capture when it's right there.

And boy, does she look like my Papa! xx

LITTLE SISTER

WEARING: Top and tights: Zara // Bloomers: Bonton (eBay find) // Moccs: Amy & Ivor

Now I know how much Josephine adores being nursery, I can happily focus on how to fill the three afternoons a week when she's not around. Of course Coralie naps for a large portion of that time, but there's certainly a shift in dynamic when Phiney's away.

The little sister becomes top dog, and has the run of the place...

On Josephine's first day at nursery, Coralie spent the whole afternoon calling for her ('Jo-za, Jo-Ja?!') but by 3.30pm on Tuesday, she'd realised that suddenly there was no-one to tell her not to place with the big sister-imposed 'out of bounds' toys, and Coralie was in her element. If you follow me on IG or Facebook, you'll have seen the video I sneakily took of her stealing a drink of water from Josephine's cup...the cutest, cheekiest thing ever!

And, of course, it gives me the chance to lavish some one-on-one time with my growing-too-quickly baby girl. Games round here tend to be dictated by Josephine, which Coralie finds a way to get involved in, but it's been so fun to play some baby games with her instead, and see her really thrive. Her absolute favourite is rolling a ball backwards and forwards to each other. She literally shrieks with excitement with every roll.

It's also lovely to be able to pick up all the choke-inducing hazards that can find their way onto the floor when Josephine's playing, and know that there's nothing Coralie can get to that she's not allowed; that she's free to roam and play independently. Apart, of course, from that pesky bin...the number of times I have to say the phrase 'Coralie, stop eating things out of the bin' is verging on the ridiculous. Kids. They're so gross.

But, oh! Also so beautiful. And funny and cute and beyond scrumptious. And, unbelievably, one in just a couple of weeks...

MONTHLY PORTRAIT

 

 

WEARING: vintage Laura Ashley bloomers, Zara cotton top, H&M tights, Amy & Ivor Moccasins, Coco & Wolf bib.

Our sweet Coralie! Eight months old already, and we can hardly believe it. I have failed miserably at keeping a monthly record of what you're doing and how you've changed, but I promise for the rest of your first year, I will record each month here in our journal.

Firstly, you are the happiest child. Always smiling, always pleased to see people, always entertaining yourself with your toys or simply by watching the world around you if we need to get on with chores. You have a basket full of your toys boy upstairs and downstairs, and you sit for so long just rummaging through it, chewing everything you pick up. Always chewing (including your shoes!)...you'd think a tooth would appear, but still no sign of any.

It's funny - with Josephine I was always so keen to achieve the next 'thing'; her teeth starting to come through, her sitting and crawling and walking. But I'm so much more relaxed this time round. In all honesty, it doesn't matter. When you get teeth and start walking, your not my tiny baby anymore, and I'm more than happy for you to stay this little for as long as possible. Plus, it's so good to be able to put you down and know you'll be in the same spot when I turn back round. Life with take on another level of chaos when you start moving, little one.

We thought you might bypass crawling completely, but today you leant forward (reaching for a toy) and held yourself in a crawling position for at least a minute. I wondered if you'd move, but instead you face planted the floor! Smiling the whole time, of course :)

This weekend you started to say "Mama", which makes me so happy! I remember the first time Josephine said it as if it were yesterday, and I'll always remember being sat at the dining table as that little word was muttered for the first time. Josephine looked at each other with huge smiles on our faces and clapped and cheered you, much to your delight.

You mostly call "Dadadada", but you also wave and say "hello" and "bye bye". It is the cutest thing. Josephine is determined you'll say her name next! We'll see about that!

You're a passionate little thing, and give such good kisses and cuddles. You pull me in to you with my hair (ouch!) and plant the most slobbery, open-mouthed kisses round on my mouth. It's totally heart-melting. And when you cuddle, you snuggle right in. Don't ever stop giving cuddles like that.

As you grow, Josephine loves you more and more, and adores the fact that she can play with you more now. Last week, she packed you a pretend picnic and then sat offering you pretend After Eights from the empty box. You smiled the biggest smile, not really a clue what was happening.

We are all besotted with you, Coralie. I truly cannot believe you've been here for eight months already. It has gone so fast. You bring smiles and happiness my darling, and it's a joy to spend my days with you.

We love you xxxx

CORALIE JOE MALLIA

On Wednesday 7th May, at 10.55pm, our beautiful girl swam into the world at home and we've spent the last week snuggled up, getting to know each other. 

Named after my wonderful Papa, who I wish with all my heart was here to meet her, Coralie Joe Mallia is a tiny little bundle of happiness and love and we're so pleased to announce her safe arrival. She is perfectly beautiful. 

Your big sister is totally smitten with you Coralie, as are your Mama and Daddy. We all love and adore you and are so excited to see what adventures await you. Welcome to the world my darling.