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Monday, December 31, 2012

2012- a BIG collage!


These photos may be tiny but it's been an enormous year for us!

We have loved so much of it. Even the challenging parts we are able to look back at with a big smile.


The highlight of course being the birth of our daughter, Matilda on January 6. We are amazed at the love that we have for her, that (well) covers 11.5 months of sleep-deprivation! She is of course the most adorable
and highly intelligent baby the world has seen and she brings so much joy to our lives and those of her grandparents!

We have stayed quite close to home this year but have enjoyed some weekends away with family to the beach as well as some nights in Heathcote for a friend’s wedding in winter. In November Tilly had her first plane ride when we travelled to North Queensland for some family time and to meet our friends in Cairns.

We sadly lost our lovely Sandy cat earlier in the year to a sudden illness and some months later welcomed the rambunctious kitten, Basil to our fold. He and Tilly are partners in crime. Tilly follows Bas around the house and gives just as much as he does!

Toby continues to enjoy work and we are grateful for the work/life balance that he enjoys.
Beck will continue her family leave from primary teaching, but may do some casual relief teaching in the New Year.

In 2013 we look forward to sorting out our garden and growing more veggies there, to visiting Kangaroo Island with Beck’s parents, celebrating Tilly’s 1st birthday, watching her continue to grow (and hopefully learning to sleep more!) and to spending more time with family and friends.

Thank you for stopping by often or once in a while to read this blog. It's such a special place of remembering and recording for me and it's nice to have you as a part of it too.

May 2013 be a year of much peace and joy to you!

Love, Toby, Beck and Tilly xoxo

project gratitude: 1231

December 31- Today I am grateful for this project! I can't believe that in 2012 I managed to record (almost) daily, things that I was grateful for. The gratitude isn't a surprise but sticking at it for a year is! I am grateful that I have so many small things and big things on record.

For 2013, I don't think that I will continue to blog daily gratitude, though I may. :) I will be embarking on Project Life which will compliment the scrapbooking that I've always loved, but found hard to fit in this year with a little one.

2012 has been an incredible year and I have the feeling that 2013 is going to be no less busy with a toddler at my feet.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

project gratitude: 1230

December 30- Today I am grateful for my little family. Tilly is very clingy at the moment but by golly she's cute!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

project gratitude: 1229

December 29- Today I am grateful that teething doesn't last forever and for the chance to finish a scrapbook page.

Friday, December 28, 2012

project gratitude: 1228

December 28- Today I am grateful for a wonderful night with our friends Mat, Anne Maree and their daughters.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

project gratitude: 1227

December 27- Today I am grateful for gardenias. Our neighbour dropped a handful over on christmas morning and the smell of the floating in the bowl takes me straight back to our honeymoon in the Cook Islands. Stunning!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

project gratitude: 1226

December 26- Today I am grateful for my mum in law. We celebrated her birthday today in a beautiful park over tummy food and family company.

I am also grateful for prayers and panadol which dropped a very sad and cranky Tilly's temperature from 39 degrees celcius to still high, but a much happier girl.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

project gratitude: 1225

December 25- Christmas Day! Today I am grateful for the birth of Jesus and for what what means to me every day of the year. I am grateful for special time with family, that all the food came together (including turkey and ham!) and for helping hands.
Pictures to come.

Have a very merry Christmas.

From our house to yours



Monday, December 24, 2012

project gratitude: 1224

December 24- Today I am grateful for answered prayers, surprises, dinners with neighbours and for one more sleep until Christmas!

project gratitude: 1223

December 23- Today I am grateful for a catch up with Mim and her family.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

project gratitude: 1222

December 22- Today I am grateful that Toby has the gift of toilet seat cleaning!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Something to remember

Tilly. I know I'm grateful for her all the time but at the moment, despite her high maintenance sleeping tendencies she is a scream. She is so funny and she knows it. And today she's been giving me hugs and kisses galore and 'talking' on the phone. Sweet girl!

project gratitude: 1221

December 21- Today I am grateful for my mum's help which allowed Christmas baking and an eBay buy pickup to happen. And for my dad and his cheeky sense of him our in phone calls! (Work party shots will be posted when we have home Internet again after Christmas dad!)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

project gratitude: 1220

December 20- Today I am grateful for my mother's group and for the fun dinner we had together tonight.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

project gratitude: 1219

December 19- Today I am grateful that Tilly was such a trooper in the city. She wad great at dad's work Christmas party and when we visited Toby's work.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

project gratitude: 1218

December 18- Today I am getting in early and declaring my gratitude for this moment. I have taken 10minutes to lye on our back deck in the sun as Tilly sleeps inside. This season has been pretty busy- catch ups, jobs to do, things to plan. I've found myself excited but at the same time craving some alone, quiet time (doesn't everyone- especially the mums!). This morning I'm taking it... And reminding myself that it's a good thing and one to do more regularly. Who else needs a break?!



Monday, December 17, 2012

project gratitude:1217

December 17- Today I am grateful that we live in a great street where we know our neighbours. A fun street party tonight.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

project gratitude: 1216

December 16- Today I am grateful for our small group. We had the most amazing breakfast this morning with this group of great people. Looking forward to journeying together in 2013.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

project gratitude: 1215

December 15- Today I am grateful for a visit to the children's farm with Toby and Tilly. It was lovely to visit a place I went to as a child and to see Tilly's smiles as she saw the animals. It was also good to catch up with Kathrine, Jess, Wal and Steph today. And to pick up a bargain on Little People at the op shop!

Friday, December 14, 2012

project gratitude: 1214

December 14- Today I am grateful for a wonderful dinner and time together with Lois, Anth and Frank to celebrate my birthday.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

project gratitude: 1213

December 13- Today I am grateful that I got some time to use my Jurlique voucher from when I finished teaching for a relaxing facial. My skin feels fantastic!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

project gratitude: 1212

December 12- Today I am grateful for the joy of watching Tilly cool off this afternoon in a makeshift pool. And her pride today as she stood alone and took steps towards me. :)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Christmas: Live Nativity


Our church has a great tradition. Each December there is a special service which includes all of the family groups that meet at the church- playgroups, MOPS, Mainly Music, etc- where these children perform and take part in a special Christmas service. After church there is a celebration- a jumping castle, BBQ AND a live nativity! We couldn't resist having our photos taken, if only just to see the baby bunnies and the lamb. Tobes and I made a cute Mary and Joseph I think and Tilly was the sweetest little angel! 





Matilda @ 11months


Last update before she is 1! I'm not sure that I am ready for that, but I can tell that she is. This month Tilly has continued to gain more independence and a sense of humour. She is so funny and is becoming more of an extrovert.

At 11 months Matilda...
  • was not measured
  • has (finally) upgraded to toddler sized nappies after she started wetting through crawlers overnight.
  • still wears mainly 0 and some new size 1.
  • has taken to lying on the floor on her back to relax! 
  • still goes by her old nicknames but new ones include Bear and Chops (Cheeky Chops!).
  • says lots more words- duck (12/11), ta, bye, hi, poo, yay yay yay, boo, Ah Ah (as in no!)- and understands many more
  • lets go of what she's holding onto when standing. She can balance 'hands off' for a few seconds alone and has tried to take a few tentative steps to mum and grandma.
  • cuddles her soft toys when mum or dad hug them first and pass them to her.
  • Says 'yum' and 'mmm' when eating. She often holds her mouth open saying 'ah', even when the spoon is in and then snaps her mouth closed and says 'um!'
  • gives great cuddles. She wraps her arm around my neck and pulls in tight. Sometimes she pats my arm or back when she gives a hug.
  • has developed a funny sneeze habit- she will usually sneeze twice and on the second sneeze she carries the blurt and makes a raspberry sound.
  • often blows raspberries on mum- on my leg, arms and occasionally also while breastfeeding!
  • is learning more animal noises- owl (hoot), sheep (baa), cow (moo), snake (ssss).... but still she loves the fish 'bop' mouth most of all!
  • crosses her legs when sitting on the floor.
  • takes herself to her books to read. She enjoys some independent time like this each day.
  • loves her walker (and early birthday present) and her nativity set (early Christmas present).
  • had her first band-aid (17/11) after she cut her fingers. :(
  • dances and bops to music. She has always been keen on Dynamite- Taio Cruz but lately is really enjoying the funk and soul of Edwin Starr- 25 Miles.
  • gets books when asked.
  • is certainly more extroverted around others.
  • likes to have my hand placed on her cheek or face when she is breastfed. She is also quite the gymnast and contortionist when feeding at times!
  • gets very excited to see Anj and Nate. She waves from our driveway at their house every time we go outside.
  • waves at everyone and everything.
  • climbs stairs easily... doesn't know how to get down safely yet! 
  • loves pulling clothes out of her wardrobe!
  • wriggles A LOT when getting changed.
  • would happily eat bolognese and sweet potato mash for every meal. She eats this every day. Along with pureed pears and natural yoghurt. She still loves organic brown rice cereal and an oat one.
  •  met Jack's family at his 1st birthday... the grandma's wanted to know if we had brought the wedding invitations along and asked if she was their new granddaughter in law!
  • loves face time with Leah and Auntie Sarah.
  • visited playgroup as a trial at church.
  • seems to enjoy the Christmas vibe around the place- Santa not so much, but she is loving the many nativity photo ops she's had!
  • says 'pa' when she is on the phone.
  • has had a regression in sleeping... again! She still needs to be patted or rocked to sleep and is co-sleeping from some stage most nights and feeding every night. I'm not sure that I thought this would still be the case when she was 11 months but it works for us and controlled crying or crying it out is not an option. It doesn't sit right with us for our girl. 
Here is Cheeky Chops... who was most cooperative this month for her basket shots!





project gratitude: 1211

December 11- Today I am grateful for a return to normal day sleeps for Tilly.

project gratitude: 1210

December 10- Today I am grateful for a sense of humour.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

project gratitude: 1209

December 9- Today I am grateful for a successful carols and for the happiness I felt looking out at Tilly dancing and moving her arms along to the music. A LONG day for her!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

project gratitude: 1208

December 8- Today I am grateful for another year of life and those I share it with.

Friday, December 7, 2012

project gratitude:1207

December 7- Today I am grateful for crafty catch ups with Carolyn and Mary and for the beautiful early birthday lilies from Tobes.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

December Daily: Pre December and Days1-4

I've been busy and loving doing this project again. Christmas is always more fun with kids about! 

I've been really enjoying the photo collages again this year. It's a great way to include lots of photos.

Here's my book so far, pre-December (our visit to Santa) and then Dec 1-4. I get my photos printed at a shop so am unable to post the pages daily. They'll come in batches! Enjoy!

(Note: sensitive information has been removed)











project gratitude: 1206

December 6: Today I am grateful for a happy baby, even if she doesn't sleep!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

project gratitude: 1205

December 5: Today I am grateful that I got 5 meals prepared. No more cooking this week for me!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

project gratitude:1204

December 4- Today I am so grateful for nursing before sleep and these cuddles.


project gratitude:1203

December 3- Today I am grateful for a just-right day. For some happy catch ups and the joy of watching Tilly with her new nativity set.


Sunday, December 2, 2012

project gratitude: 1202

December 2- Today I am grateful for a fun time after church with some good catch ups, for a pleasant family dinner and a Tilly who has had the best sleep night in ages (so far!!!) which let us put up the Christmas tree!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

project gratitude: 1201

December 1- Today I am grateful for all the lovely kids and parents I caught up with at my old work school fete. It's nice to be remembered and to be spoken well of. :)

December Daily: foundation pages

It is the first of December and I am very excited to be starting my December Daily once again. This will be my forth book but my third completed one. Here is a link to some of my favourite pages from 2011.

Over the past few weeks I've been working on my foundation pages and really enjoying the process. This year I found a sweet Christmas golden book from an op-shop to use as my cover. The actual story will be saved for December 24.  Most of the papers were 70% off from a local scrapbooking shop and the rest are bits and pieces from my stash. When I plan this book I always do so with some awareness of what is happening in the month. I know that there are events on certain dates so I usually plan the foundation pages with those in mind. Other dates are left more plain and can easily be adapted if needed.  Here are the pages!



























 I love that I've been able to sew some of Tilly's Christmas stocking fabric onto the Dec 24 page.




Now to fill these pages and make another book to love!

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