38/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Our little chatterbox. She spends most of her day talking to me but her vocabulary only exists of "dad".

Linking up with Jodi.

37/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She uses her feet as another pair of hands. At the moment she just wants to be grounded.

Linking up with Jodi.

Blog hiatus... 32,33,34,35,36/52

It has pained (agitated) me every week that I have not had time or have not felt like sitting down to post my weekly photo.

Basically hubby and I have had a hospital relay. Nothing serious... he had to get his surfers ear drilled out and I was lucky enough to have all four wisdom teeth plucked from my jaw. Oh the pain... I won't bore you with my whinging but the dentist did say I had pigs for teeth and apologised for my severe bruising and swelling. Oh dear the swelling. I looked like Fat Albert.

So if I wasn't playing nurse I was laying on the lounge feeling sorry for myself. I only managed to get the camera out once.. lucky my trusty phone was in reach to capture some of Juno's cuteness. 

I promise my tardiness will improve.

By the way; being sick is so much harder when you are a mum. If it wasn't for my amazing mum the past few weeks would have been so much worse.

32/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Exploring nature with a very restrained mother watching on.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Playing shadow puppets with dad in the afternoon light.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Salad sandwich deconstructed. We have started eating lunch outside so the dogs can help with the clean up.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: He is the fun parent... dammit.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Walking the dogs. The beach brings me so much calmness, it heals me, it brings me back, it centres me... I hope she enjoys it as much as we do.

Linking up with Jodi.

31/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: This is the new face. It is accompanied with some quick snuffly breathing. It is so cute.

This photo could be my favourite so far. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Linking up with Jodi.

29/52 and 30/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She is an outdoor adventure girl in the making. She will happily sit on her rug watching us garden or the dogs play. 

The dogs often get in my way when i'm taking photos. I could not resist this puppy framing.

Linking up with Jodi.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She wants everything we have. She also thinks that every part of my body will produce milk if she sucks on it. I'm just one big milk bottle.

Linking up with Jodi.

28/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Adventure time with mum and dad. First time on my back and loved every second of it. 

This photo was taken by Karl and on an iPhone.... cheating.

Linking up with Jodi.

Three.

1.

2.

3.

This project has been so rewarding. Thanks to Jodi and all the other Project 52ers for giving me inspiration and a good reason to get snapping.

27/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Her first try of the swing. We think she likes it.

Moseying along with Jodi.

26/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She talks with her eyebrows. So much expression for such a small being. 

We are halfway through this year already. What an amazing year. Juno has made our life more enjoyable and rewarding than we could have ever imagined. I love this project as we can look back on the weeks and see how much she is growing into her personality. She is going to be an incredible woman!

Moseying along with Jodi.

25/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She loves to be outside. She watches the leaves in the trees and laughs at the dogs as they chase each other. 

Moseying along with Jodi.

23/52 24/52

I wish there was some exciting reason why I'm behind in my Project 52 photos, but there isn't. My motivation has been lacking. Having a grey moment... it's passing though.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: She is developing the best personality. SO cheeky and inquisitive. Photo courtesy of Karl, we had to have the token birthday portrait. Yes I turned 30 and yes I'm quite okay.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno: Our blue eyed girl.. so close to doing it all by herself. 

I had so many photos to choose from this week. I went with this one because i'm sure all parents have one like this. Karl: "I'll sit her up and then I'll move my hands quickly. Are you ready?...."

Moseying along with Jodi.

The big three zero.

I'm 30 tomorrow.
I've cried twice today.

Believe it or not the aforementioned are not related.

I'm a birthday person. I LOVE my birthday and I love other people's birthdays. I love being made a fuss of and I like to do special things for my lovelies on their birthdays.

BUT this year it's different. I haven't counted the days till my birthday. I didn't get (too) upset when I found out my present had been delivered while I was out, so won't be graced with it's beauty until Tuesday. And quite frankly the big three zero is really not igniting excitement or fear.

Maybe it's because it has snuck up on me. Maybe i'm hiding my anxiousness about turning 30 deep down inside..... or maybe I've finally matured (yeah right).

I think the real reason is because since birthing my adorable little Juno my perspective on life has changed. I didn't believe them when they told me motherhood was a selfless job, but now i'm starting to see it.

I cried this morning as I rocked my sick baby to sleep in the rocking chair.
I cried again just now as I watched her sleeping in her cot.

She is the most amazing, breath taking thing that has ever happened to us and we are thankful everyday.

22/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - This is how we find our happy girl after most of her sleeps.

This week I enjoyed the portrait of Lily on a swing, the little bebe at the window, Logan's DIY binoculars and Lamb's noise makers.

Linking up with Jodi.

21/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - Playing beside her friend Evie.

Linking up with Jodi.

20/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - Dribble and food up the nose make her even cuter. Her interactions are so rewarding. She finds everything funny.

This week I loved Eulalie snuggled up in her towel,  Bo's incredible eyes and lips and the fence standing over at Electronette.

Linking up with Jodi.

19/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - We had fun doing Mother's Day craft. The feet were easier to print with then her hands.

This week I loved Jacob's sneaky 'eye', Lamb wearing her dad's glasses, the perspective that Milk Please Mum has used, A little man in his Papa's chair and the use of focus in this shot of Mila.

Linking up with Jodi.

New Zealand

This post has been sitting as a draft for over a month.... better late than never.

We did it!!
Our first overseas holiday (I say first, but for many years it will probably be our only) as a little family was a success.

Karl's amazing Grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and we were lucky enough to be able to share it with them. They immigrated to New Zealand from Holland during the war. Karl's Nana thought they were going to Z Land and presumed it was just a little boat ride over the ocean. Three months later they arrived in New Zealand. Alone and in a new country they set up their life. Five children, 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren later they are still each others rocks. Beautiful.

We stayed in the old convent, which was an adventure itself. This amazing building, which was built in 1965, had eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, a prayer room and it's very own confessional. Most of the furnishings were made from New Zealand Oak, as were all the doors and windows. A stunning building.

Karl's dad relished in telling us a story about every corner, paddock and building. It was lovely to see him at home.

He took us to Lake Tekapo, a beautiful lake at the bottom of the snowy mountains. The drive to the lake was stunning... beautiful rolling hills speckled with cows and sheep, pine forests and soaring eagles. I don't think words can describe how beautiful this lake was. The colour was a vibrant blue and contrasted beautifully against the yellow grass. Mother nature is so clever.

We also visited part of the amazing east coast. A little fishing town called Moeraki. We had a little peek through the well known restaurant Fleurs Place. An amazing establishment full of history and local art. We ate the most delicious blue cod fish at the local pub while taking in the view of the tiny harbour. Karl's dad was so intent on taking us to the light house (I do like light houses but I don't get excited about them) so we dropped in there before heading home. I was so glad we did, because not only was it an operating light house but the cliffs below were home to seals and penguins. We went for a lovely stroll amongst the sun baking seals and were lucky enough to spot a couple of nesting penguins.

It was a quick trip but it was an important one. Karl got to spend valuable time with his ageing grandparents. Hopefully next time we can stay for a wee bit longer.

18/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - She is getting stronger and cheekier every week.

This week I couldn't go past Che's cheekiness, a first pony tail, Olive's swing face, Lotus and Noah amongst the trees and Felix's relaxed state.

So many photos, so many captured memories... I love it.

Linking up with Jodi.

17/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - She had her first taste of solids this week. Most of which ended up on her bib.

Linking up with Jodi.

16/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - Keenly watching her dad build his man shed. We love having him home.

Linking up with Jodi.

I have been so time poor lately that I haven't been able to explore other peoples photos. But this week I had some time to browse. I was touched by Lamb's cuddles from her brother/ I was secretly jealous of Maile's trike/ Sage was incredibly cute in her winter jacket/ I loved the enjoyment Penny got from eating her lemon/ and I couldn't go past Eloise's puppy pat.

15/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - We just returned from New Zealand. This is Juno with her dad, Opa and Great Grandad overlooking Lake Tekapo.

Linking up with Jodi.

More pictures from our first overseas family holiday to come.

14/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013"

Juno - Eyes only for us. Her hands are dipped in honey at the moment, she cant get enough of them.

Linking up with Jodi.

Easter.. a little bit different this year.

I'll be the first to admit it... I'm a big kid. I still get a stocking at Christmas and I love to hunt for eggs at easter, but that is all changing.

Normally our easter comprises of two easter egg hunts.. yes two.

The first one takes place at Karl's dad's house where we search high (like really high) and low for our eggs. We are given clues to help us find our 'big' easter egg. In the past there has been eggs at the top of tall palm trees, in air-conditioning vents, in the washing machine and at the bottom of the pool. We all race around collecting our eggs and then like the good sharers we are we divide them evenly. Now perhaps you may think we are hunting with some younger siblings and you'd be right, we are the eldest, Karl's youngest brother is 20. We are big kids.

Then on to my mum and dad's house, where the hunt is still on and just as creative. Once again we share our treasures and count our winnings with my younger siblings (22 and 18).

Soooooooo much chocolate. I'm pretty sure i get more now then when I was a kid.

This easter Karl and I decided to make the most of the easter long weekend and head south with some good friends of ours and our girls... and four dogs.

On the Saturday it was Lila's first birthday. We watched as she opened her presents only to be more thrilled by the paper and ribbon that wrapped her presents. Anne and I marvelled at our number one cake (sooooo much butter icing) and we had a lovely picnic at Culpit Winery. We shared incredible cheeses platters, sipped on delicious wine and soaked up the view all while Lila had a great time crawling on the grass and sticking her fingers in icing.


On Sunday, there was still an egg hunt, chocolate and some homemade hot cross buns but on a smaller scale.

We had a lovely weekend. I read a good book, made 'some' progress on my crocheted blanket, went for  dog walks and ate amazing vegetarian mexican, mmmmm.

It has been so nice to get away with our little family. I look forward to so many more adventures to come.