World Famous

World famous vanilla slice in Mansfield on new year eve. Hanging out in town waiting for the XRay department to open so we can find out what the damage is to Charlie's shoulder. 

First Tracks

A high country stay in a house, how novel. Enough to make me forget I need to bring warm clothes, damnit.

Milla has her new car seat and seems very happy and comfy. I love being able to see her when I look back.

I've got bruised and bashed up knees, tried riding around the Sawmill Settlement township with my clipped in shoes, need a lot more practice. Wah.

On the road again.

Milla's First Christmas Part 3

It was a long happy Christmas Day. Quiet morning and evening. Busy house and sunny yard during the day. Milla had her usual sleeps and meals and was pleasant during her two sessions of present opening.

Grandma, Milla, and me.

Milla's First Christmas Part 2

Charlie was dead against the Santa photo, but I couldn't resist. It was so ace. Shh! Don't tell him, I'm wrapping up the print to put under the tree. It will be priceless to see his face.

All she wants for Christmas is more food. 

Look at the grin! I know Santa looks like he has the cold dead eyes of a killer weary old man, but he was a delight. He did say Milla was one of the most common names he'd come across this season, along with Amelia and Olivia. So weird how the zeitgeist works.

Milla got the dress from Santa (ha! her Pop and partner), and it's a beauty. It was one of the gifts she (ha! I...) got to unwrap in Christmas Part 1.

Butterflies

She could watch butterflies all day.

Backyard loveliness at nearly six months.

Milla's First Christmas Part 1

Christmas for us is usually a busy day, with a big of angst on my part about who goes where, when. We have three families in Melbourne to spend time with, and somehow we want to be with all of them, all day. This year will be a little different. We will stay home, no driving, no commuting around. A few years ago I caught the train from Richmond out to Eltham on Christmas morning, with summer puddings in my backpack. It was a hot day, empty train. Things change. No more Rodda Parade house and pine needle smell.

The first part of Christmas was putting up the tree and trimming it. Aunty Em helped and our tree was made by the talented Pat who made our bed too. We only had three decorations, ahem, so have received some heritage baubles from both families to add.

Cool tree, weird decorations... 

On Friday we had the second part of Christmas - Freeland Lane family. Uncle gave Milla her first present, and she was so attentive and engaged opening it up.

Oooh a peak inside.

Milla's arrival does change Christmas somewhat: the first of the next generation for our families, the first kid to entertain. I wonder about Santa / Father Christmas and what we'll say to Milla about him.

New Seat

The best seat in the house. Milla's new car seat was installed (by her loving father) today into Sooty. She tried it on for size. We are so excited about her facing forward to see where we're headed.

Asleep on the inside.

Sun kissed cheeks. Guilty mum. Love those round thighs and dark eyes.

Mount Stirling

Back to Stirling, finally, with Milla.

Summit baby.

Doughnuts and Avocado

Feeding is exciting. Milla's faces and watching her understanding grow. It's really delightful. And I just started to feel nostalgic about breastfeeding. No sooner does it start to feel right, than it's the beginning of the end. It was so hard, miserable, painful and frustrating. So loaded. And now it's warm and easy and lovely.

Feeding herself strawberry. 

Milla is still quite round, with doughnuts threaded up her thighs. But her limbs are getting longer. She feels damn heavy to pick up. I still get asked 'how old is he?' by idiots in the street.

After a feed at the Big Design Market, out the back.

Charlie and I looked through family albums and to our surprise, Milla looks more like me as a babe, but she looks more like Charlie in daily life. It's weird.

Trying avocado for the first time.

Nectarine and Peter and the Wolf

Giving Milla various bit of fruit to chew on after her daytime meals. She pulverised a slice of nectarine on her tiny hard gums.

Feeding herself. 

After dicey milk supply following Bikram, I started mat pilates nearby, will give that a go. These days I have long productive mornings after Milla goes back to bed, housework, bike ride of 40 minutes, then reading, gardening and after that the day can meander in a number of different ways. Today I found Peter and the Wolf on YouTube and played that to Milla while I read about the rules of war.

If I have nothing booked, I feel at a complete loss. If I have more than two things to do in one day, I get anxious. Weird pace of life.