Happy Birthday, darling girl

Happy 4th Birthday Abbey.

Four years ago today, it was supposed to be my last day of work before Maternity leave started. But you had other ideas. Instead, I was waking daddy up at 4-something-am saying my waters had broken. We were having a baby. One month early. No hospital bag packed. Luckily, we did not panic. We packed some bags, and by the time your daddy was driving me to the hospital, contractions had started.

At 1:47pm you arrived after a quick birth of under 6 hours.  There was a room full of doctors and nurses when you were born, they were all concerned for your heath as you were a month early. Daddy and Nanny G were there to help too, I needed them. After a quick cuddle, you and daddy were whisked away to the Special Care Nursery, where you lived for the first 15 days of your life.

Since your birth, we have learnt to let you do many things, all in "Abbey-time".

You bring us so much joy and make us laugh every day. We are so proud of you, the way you have grown into such a polite, sweet and thoughtful little girl. We love your energy and enthusiasm and wonder at all things new.

I love you with all my heart, darling girl. Happy 4th Birthday.

Love from Mummy xoxox

Love letter to Zoe

Dearest Zoe,

Six months ago today, you were born. Six months ago today our little family changed forever, and in the most wonderful way. Chris and I now have another beautiful child to cherish. Abbey has a little sister to entertain, smother with kisses (and boss about)

Even before you were conceived, I wanted you, craved you. There was this strong, primal urge inside me to know you. For you to be in my life.

Your birth was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. What started out as what looked to be a quick and easy birth turned out to be (slightly) longer and challenging (for me) You were facing posterior, then spinning around and around with every contraction, and not progressing down as part of my cervix was blocking your way. Lucky daddy and Nanny G were both there as my support, and the two midwives were amazing to be able to assist you out into the world. The whole time I was birthing you, you were never in distress. You were so happy and snug inside. And you still are, outside. You are such a happy, contented little soul. So easy going. You have fitted into our family perfectly.

Knowing you, loving you, has moved me to the core of my whole being. I now feel the most wonderful sense of completion. Like a final puzzle piece, missing for years, has been restored.

I love the way your face lights up when you see Abbey, how she can make you smile like no one else can. I love the way your eyes follow me around the room when you are hungry, nothing else matters to you, until you have been fed. I love every minute we spend together breastfeeding - every roll of beautiful chubby skin on your body, I have nourished. Thank you for coping with my constant over supply of milk and such a forceful letdown. Nothing has fazed you.

Thank you my darling Zoe for making me love even more. Thank you for re-kindling my love of sewing and being creative. Being creative is now my sanctuary. Thank you for reminding me how precious life is. I am so grateful, feel so privileged to be your and Abbey's mummy.

Happy half birthday, Zoe.

I love you with all my heart.

Mummy xoxox

Lost in translation

In January, our good friends Jules and Ross's daughter, Jessie, turned one. I made this for her birthday present. It was supposed to be another shirred dress. It somehow ended up too short to be a dress, but is just fine as a little summer top.