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There's nothing better than when Ben has time off work and we get to spend all day every day together. Over Christmas Ben has had more than two weeks off and it's been so lovely. We've both had plenty of lie-ins, and time to ourselves, as well as one on one time with the girls as well as happy happy times all together. I feel our little team is stronger after these breaks; refreshed and reunited after the routines of life, work, nursery....
Most of our mornings have been spent outdoors, as had become us girls' habit in the run up to Christmas. The weather has been unseasonably warm round these parts and getting out first thing starts our day the right way, I think. It's certainly something I plan to continue when Ben goes back to work - come rain or shine. Just an hour at the park, feeding the ducks, walking round the Botanical Gardens, hanging with friends or heading out just us three - the fresh air and early-morning purpose is good for us all.
The girls have loved their Daddy being at home 24/7. Ben is just the best at messing around and inventing new games. If I'm downstairs getting things done, it honestly sounds like they're all about to come crashing through the ceiling; running, banging, jumping, loud music and plenty of screaming and laughter. Yes, it's certainly party central with Daddy! And he doesn't go back to work until Monday, woo!
These photos are of one morning at the park and the scooter track, when Josephine was trying out her new scooter from Father Christmas. Ben got to see Coralie climb the frame and come down the slide completely by herself for the first time too (she mastered it just before the holidays) and the light was just magical. And check out my new slouchy socks with my jeans tucked in. Currently having a style love affair with all things a little bit '90s.
I made a little film of the morning too - and I certainly plan to fill this year with plenty more films like this...
15 years together. It's gone so fast, yet we've packed so much in. I'm so lucky to call you mine, and to spend my days with you. Love you forever xxx
Photograph by my friend, Tori Hancock.
Happy birthday to the boy in our lives. We love you so much darling. Thank you for everything you do for us - going out to work so hard and yet still coming home with a smile on your face, ready to be silly and have fun with your two biggest fans; making us delicious food from scratch, letting me have a lie-in every Saturday and supporting me in everything I do too.
You're the best xxx
Ben took the day off work for his birthday and we headed to our new allotment. We are all so excited about this little space a few minutes from our house, and Ben, his brother Matt and Phiney have already done so much to clear this space and make it ready to grow vegetables and flowers next year. You can find us there every Sunday morning.
Five years married, and I love you more than ever.
Through the thick and the thin, the good and the bad, the happy and heartbreaking.
I love that you let me have a lie-in every Saturday, that you always buy me chocolate when you stop at the shop and that you watch Eastenders with me.
I love how wonderful a Daddy you are to our babies, and I love how much they both completely adore you.
Here's to the next five years, and all the others after that. I'm so lucky to call you mine xxx
Yesterday Ben went back to work after two blissful weeks of paternity leave. The sun shone on the second week especially and Josephine adored spending so much time in the garden with her Papa. The one on one time those two shared while Coralie and I got to grips with feeding and enjoyed some long naps, was priceless for both of them. And with Josephine in bed by 7.30, the evening was left for snuggles with Coralie. I didn't leave the house for seven whole days, only venturing outside into our garden. It was a lovely couple of weeks, easing us all into life as a family of four. I know for sure our boy had a tear in his eye when he was getting ready for work on Thursday morning.
And I have to admit, I went to sleep on Wednesday night a little terrified of what my first day of solo parenting with TWO children would hold. But our girls were both superstars. Coralie woke in the morning with enough time for me to make Josephine's breakfast before she needed feeding, then slept for more than two hours giving Phiney and I time to craft and play. We walked to the local shop before naptime, and I managed to get both girls napping in their beds at the same time from 1pm allowing me to have a shower. We even got out to the meadow for an hour of playing before deciding to head home as a rainstorm approached. It was a huge success. And while today was largely spent watching movies (Toy Story 3 and most of Cars) due to a very sleepy two year old and torrential rain, it was still (mostly) stress-free. I am wholeheartedly giving myself a pat on the back, and awarding our amazing daughters gold stars for helping their Mama so.
Now it's Friday evening, and with a Bank Holiday in the UK on Monday, we have Ben at home for another three days, just to ease us all into life's routines and rhythms returning to normal.
I am so much calmer second time round, so much more relaxed, much of which I am sure has to do with the fact that breastfeeding is going so well right now (more of which in another post). And seeing Josephine step so beautifully into her role as big sister is a privilege. She loves Coralie with all her heart and asks to hold and cuddle her all day. These first weeks as four have been amazing, so quiet and so filled with love.
A few shots I snapped on Wednesday - soaking up those last rays of sun before the rain, the last hours of our babymoon bubble before Ben returned to work. That huge yellow bruise on Phiney's head in the last picture? She fell a few days before while playing in our bedroom and caught her head on the corner of a plug socket. I honestly thought she had ripped her head open, but instead, in the space of 2.5 seconds, a bump the size of a golf ball emerged. She was the bravest girl, and was mostly bemused at having a bag of cold peas held to her head.
I also just wanted to thank so many of you for sending such sweet emails to us, congratulating our little family on the arrival of Coralie. And for those who have asked, Coralie's name is pronounced Coral-ee :)
