MONTHLY PORTRAIT: september

I love these pictures so much, there was no way I was only choosing one for this month's portrait! Part dreamy childhood magic part Royal Tenenbaums...

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: august

Sitting on the stairs in our Airbnb cottage in Scotland. They spent so much time there together - holding hands, chatting, scheming, laughing...I hope they remember. We'll cherish them forever no matter what.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: july

It seems so long ago already, but the memory of these two giggling and splashing and running after in the Cornish sea will stay with me always.

And here's a little video of a morning in July, at the park too. Hopefully a new part of the Monthly Portrait series.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: june

Standing in front of our first flat. It's where we got engaged, started our married lives, decided to have a baby. And now, here our girls are. I couldn't have imagined all that has happened, both amazing and heartbreaking, in the five years since we lived here.

My heart bursts a million times a day for those two little monkeys. How I love them so xxx

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

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: april

A little bit late, but here's April's sisterly Monthly Portrait. Playing and laughing on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Royal Crescent. Beautiful, darling girls xx

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

At the Royal Crescent in the sunshine. Looking for bugs and trying to catch them.

Watching them play and learn and chat and laugh only gets more beautiful as they get older. It's an honour to watch their relationship blossom. Such a proud Mama.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

We say that Coralie is like Josephine's little shadow. Always doing and saying the same. They ask where the other is when they're apart for more than two minutes. They giggle and laugh and sing songs together and for each other when they wake up in the morning. Josephine tells Coralie that she's proud of her, and Coralie gently pats Phiney on the head like a little dog to check she's ok if she's unhappy. They squeeze each other in Phiney's bed before we say goodnight, noses touching. They're becoming such good friends. I love that this portrait captures all that.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: january

I just love this picture, from back at the beginning of the month. We used it as our Christmas thank you cards, and I'm pretty sure those little smiles bought sunshine to a whole lot of people across the world.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

Nothing gets me like my babies holding hands.

Excited to carry on this little photography project, along with some new ones, in 2016. And I WILL begin to make those photo books I'm always talking about, complete with our Maternity Series' and Monthly Portraits galore.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

A little late, but November's Monthly Portrait of Josephine and Coralie. Little Mamas together.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

October's monthly portrait. Cuddles and kisses and lots of love at the allotment.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT: sisters

As the girl's grow, I'm amazed and entranced by how their relationship changes and deepens and grows with them. As Coralie gets older and understands the games a little more, knows a few more words and is happy to play (rather than just chew everything...although a lot of that still happens!) our girls enjoyment of spending time with each other only deepens. It's a joy to watch, and to listen into their conversations.

To hear Josephine's high pitched voice as she talks to Coralie (in her 'speaking to a baby' tone) and witness all their impromptu hugs and kisses is the sweetest thing.

Sure there are spats and arguments and it turns out that Coralie is quite the pincher/biter/hitter when she wants to be (a second child thing? We've never had any of those things from Josephine!) but on the whole, the good far outweighs the bad and I'm so grateful for that.

On those occasions when the nights are disturbed (teeth!) and the days are long and weary, it's these magical moments that make it all worth while.

It's rare to get a photo of Josephine that's in focus right now - she really isn't a fan of having her photo taken at the moment and runs away instantly - so to get a photo of both of them still and looking at the camera is miraculous! And I adore it. I need to try and get one every month. Our new Monthly Portrait.

ONE

'The buds on the branches blossom and flower,

The blackbirds sing in the leafy bower,

And over the hill comes the rising sun,

To shine on the fields, and on you, little one.'

Bramley Hedge: Poppy's Babies, by Jill Barklem

 

Our darling Coralie, happy first birthday. We love you xxx

Out in the garden earlier, just as Josephine was on her first birthday. Wearing the same coat and waterproofs. But this time there are bluebells and not snow.

MONTHLY PORTRAIT

11 months old. Nearly a whole year.

Coralie, our darling girl. Always so happy, so so happy. So thrilled to be able to move around so quickly these days. Crawling, shuffling, walking alongside furniture. Even briefly standing by yourself. And as quiet as a ninja all the while.

You are enthralled by the world around you and, since the weather has become warmer and dryer, adore heading out into the garden with Josephine and Daddy. You gaze upwards, always, as you sit in your pram. Pointing to the sky and the trees above you. Pointing all day long.

You finally have some teeth! Hooray! Two have popped through (one of your top 'fangs' and a bottom tooth) and two are so close.

You make 'woofing' noises and say dog, you give cuddles and kisses to anyone who wants one and your hair is getting curly.

You love to dance, and if we sing or play music, you shimmy your shoulders, fling your arms and shake your bottom with unadulterated joy. And of course you'd happily play with Josephine all day long (if she let you!)

Over the last week, and over the coming weeks, I'm weaning you and our breastfeeding journey is nearly at an end. You've taken to the bottle without bating an eyelid, but I'm sad this beautiful experience is nearly over. What a wonderful thing it has been.

It's hard to believe that this time next month you'll be one. It's crazy. Lunacy. I want to freeze time. But I'm also so excited to watch you continue to change and grow and see more of the little person you'll become. It's so awesome being your Mama, such a privilege.

We love you sweet Coralie xxx

MONTHLY PORTRAIT

On Saturday our tiny girl turned 10 months old and (I know I say this every month!) I can't believe where the time has gone. This month has been a big one for Coralie; she seems to have changed and grown up (sigh!) so much in just a few short weeks.

Overnight you figured out how to turn your half-crawl, half shuffle/turn into a full blown expert crawl, Coralie, and now there's no stopping you. You speed from place to place with such determination, so happy to have finally perfected a way to get where you want to go...and in the process get all the things you're not allowed. I'd forgotten how exhausting an age this was. I spend the majority of the day moving you away from the TV cabinet, where you likes to press every button and bash the TV with alarming force! Still, it's paying off and you're already paying more attention and listening when we say 'no, Coralie' to you (well, some of the time at least.)

You are also pulling yourself up at every surface, and now stand and move with only one hand steadying you. We've even seen a couple of 'no-hands' moments, but they only lasted a second or two. I'm pretty sure the next couple of weeks will see you standing without holding on, and then who knows...steps? Walking? How is this possible?! Of course, this doesn't come without it's hazards and we've had a few tears over some pretty savage falls. The worst is evident from that fading bruise on your forehead after a run in with the leg of our dining table...

Sweet Coralie, you get more adorable everyday. You now nod your head with such vigour and it's so hilarious and heart-melting that Daddy and I ask you questions all the time just to see it in motion. You also say 'da' if you want to get down (or out of your cot!), 'ta' and 'a-ou' for thank you, naa-naa if you want something to eat and have copied us so perfectly when we've said 'dog' to you (and 'Dora' to Auntie Dora...well, on one occasion at least. You don't seem too bothered about saying that again, despite her trying SO hard to get you to!) Your waves hello, goodbye and night night are so enthusiastic and if we praise you, or say hooray or well done to Josephine, you will clap and clap no matter where you are, even sitting down to do it if you're standing at the time.

There are still no teeth, despite the fact that we can now see 6 so clearly just under the surface. You like to play games more and more with Josephine, which she just loves. I think you two will have such fun times together as you get a bit older.

I think one of my favourite things you do right now is dance. Oh my, it is wonderful to see. So dedicated and full of joy. Dance parties with my girls are definitely one of the most fun parts of the day right now. And the hugs and kisses. Oh yeah, they're pretty delicious too. And how you pretend to talk on the phone - sometimes with just your hand, sometimes with your toys..."ea-oh...yeah, yeah...!!" Soooo cute!

It is so crazy to think that in a few weeks we'll be saying 'next month you'll be 1.' I truly am staggered that we're nearly at that milestone. Right now, I'm not even going to think about it. I'm just going to soak up every second of your being a baby. Our beautiful Coralie, how we adore you xxxxxxx

MONTHLY PORTRAIT

WEARING: Vintage French romper // La Coqueta tights // H&M boots

On Saturday Coralie turned nine months old. Three quarters of a year, it's hard to believe. This has been a big month for this little one. A couple of weeks ago we moved Coralie into Josephine's room and so far so good. Thankfully Coralie waking in the night seems to barely stir Josephine and if Josephine has woken, Coralie hasn't batted an eyelid. And listening to them chat in the morning before we get up, and seeing Coralie's cot filled with the toys Josephine has passed her, is the sweetest thing.

There are finally two teeth (almost!) poking through at the bottom. So close, they may have even popped through but you're determined to not let us see. The only opportunity is when you do your cheesiest of grins, and then it's hard to do anything but laugh!

Whilst you're not crawling, you've figured out how to get around in your own way, and nothing is safe from your grasps (and drool) now darling girl. Through a mix of bottom shuffling, turning around, rolling and pulling you find a way to get to what you want (and the words 'no Coralie' are now in frequent use because of it!) You're also pulling yourself up onto your knees, and sometimes your feet - those legs are getting so strong.

It's crazy to think that when Josephine was just a few weeks older than you are now, she was taking her first steps. I quite like that you're not there yet though Coralie, you can stay my little baby for a while longer.

You love to cuddle your toys, especially your baby Lara, and snugs are always accompanied with long and enthusiastic 'aaahhhhs'. It's so sweet. You love anything that makes a noise, so adore the musical instruments that are in your toy basket, and Josephine is really good at building you towers to knock down, which you think is so awesome. You really do adore that big sister of yours.

Despite the ongoing teething, you are still the happiest little thing in the world - never really moaning, always happy to sit and play or watch (especially the washing machine...you LOVE the washing machine!)

You are so good at waving at saying hello and goodbye, and shout Dadadadada all day long. You love to dance to any music that you hear, and do the cutest singing along too.

Basically, you're absolutely brilliant Coralie and we all think your hilarious! And oh so sweet. We all love you so much, more everyday xxxxx

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