Ten Months

Day seven of the adventure. A new day dawns after a good sleep for all. Milla has a new tooth and is ten months old. We walked up towards Mount Kosciusko today. It felt like a very long time since I had hiked or walked along in the Alpine air.

Mt Koz National Park. 

Ten months. Milla is cheerful, crawls and crawls and wants to walk. Talks lots in her language, said Dad, says Mum but not really to me. Gets loud before she sleeps. Still loves books, beats her heels with excitement when sat down to read. Plays games with her mouth and stills chats sternly with Alpi.

Yesterday was tough as Milla didn't sleep well, we had to pack up and head off the mountain and on to the ACT for our stay near Jindabyne. Milla was great during the extended pack up but at some point began crying inconsolably. It was horrible. At some point, just before lunch at Corryong, I discovered a new tooth. Hallelujah. We celebrated with 1.5 ml of Panadol.

Tallangatta. Worst day of trip.

Day 5 sick baby

We (I ) overheated Milla and didn't quite clue on to the reason for her unsettled night until yesterday morning. Poor lil sausage was baking. I'm not used to sleeping in a place with such effective heating!

Was anxious to rehydrate Milla in the morning and she had a good breakfast, but when we had to wake her from her morning nap so we could head to Mt Beauty for lunch, she was lackluster. Refused lunch and gave us a sooky face for 90 minutes. Refused to use her cup, which she usually attacks with gusto.

Getting in the car to head back to Falls, she vomited. First time in her little life. Definitely out of sorts. We spent the afternoon trying not to worry and giving her cuddles. A relief when she ate dinner, had bottle, boob and went to bed. Her snot woke her and us a few times but upon rising we have less worry and more pep. Milla was pointing at the currawongs and eating porridge, good signs of life. 

Monitoring birdlife.

Wheels up tomorrow as we begin the delayed trek north. It's been great at Falls and from Day One I wanted to make an Anzac stay here an annual event.

View towards dam wall from aqueduct on my run.

Day 3 first hike

Such a perfect day. We decided to extend our stay at Falls Creek by two nights and skip a big back country camping traverse. So we'll take main roads straight to Jindabyne.

Weather has been perfect, bright days and freezing overnight. We are very cosy and the days seem so long. Our mini routine is: up 7ish for breakfast, I go for run, get back and Milla naps while Charlie does some mountain biking. Then lunch and out for short hike along the snow gum lined high plains tracks. Back for play, nap, relaxing and then on with dinner prep. Milla to bed around 7ish. Reading, lounging, plotting or TV. Sheer luxury.

The baby hiking pack was one of the last pieces to come together. We ordered one and it never turned up, so bought one from trusty Bogong the day before we headed off. Milla liked it so much she fell asleep immediately.

Cheesy grins.

16/52

Dinner time at Falls Creek. Wearing my blue jumper from decades ago.

Trying to eat a whole plum. 

Day 2 Snow

Woke to heavy rain then snow. More than a dusting. We stayed in the tent for it to ease off before starting the day. Milla sat and ate cold sausage for breakfast! Some hunting dogs came sniffing around.

A long dirt track driving day, like the old days. Crisp high country air and mud all over Sooty. Milla napped and we stopped and snacked at Lake Buffalo, then late café lunch in Myrtleford.

We'd searched and searched for accommodation at Falls Creek and eventually found a lodge that sleeps... oh maybe 30? We're the only booking so it feels terribly palatial, especially given the fancy kitchen.

Charlie and I are drinking cups of tea and listening to Milla shriek, debating a little whether to retrieve her from her cot two floors away. 

Morning snow on tent at Stirling. 

Day 1 Stirling

Spirits high as we left our somewhat empty house and nestled into our nicely packed truck. Our familiar trek to Mt Stirling starts the month of adventure.

Lunch and play in autumn leaves in Yea then push on with baby crying and tunes blaring. Set up camp in the clouds.

Packing

Oh never straightforward. Cut my hand washing dishes. Hurt my back. Packing to do. Awaiting shipment of Charlie's new bike wheel. Beautiful baby motoring and chatting.

Amidst all this a trip to baby theatre! Saw a beautiful amazing wonderful show designed for little people like Milla. It certainly was worthwhile. I wish we could go every week. Milla crawled around and positioned herself between cellist and cello on the stage.

Mobile

Baby racing through the house. Fast and fun and getting dirty knees. I call to her and she follows me around the place. She's quick and pleased with herself.

Milla discovered crawling at 9.5 months.

Standing, holding, now so confidently, alternating hands and she points points points to helicopters, magpies and leaves waving.

It's nearly time for our big trip and this mobility changes things. How will it be at campsites? Staying warm and clean and dry? We camp Stirling, in a house at Falls Creek, a few camp night backcountry to near Mt Kozi, on to Canberra to stay who-knows-where, then the big push north to Byron, staying maybe Crescent Head and somewhere... on the way. Byron! Then back down, to Newcastle, to Blue Mountains, then a week of who-knows-exactly then home.

I cut my hand tonight and grabbed a tea towel to soak the blood. Milla in her high chair was having a snack, idea was to put her to bed in a tic for a late nap. I knelt by her chair, hand aloft in the bloody towel. She swung her arm out of the seat, and patted my arm and was peaceful. I felt so comforted.

15/52

Eating dirt. Getting dirty. Being a big baby. Crawling, climbing, trying to walk.

You Yangs carpark, eating stones.

Needing a lot more food these days. Talking lots and pointing pointing pointing.

End

This chapter is drawing to a close. Just this week and next remain of this big year of no work and having my funny home life with Milla. This year of backyard activity, gardening and laundry and riding the bike. Of lunch dates and walks and back to bed after morning feeds. Saying goodbye to Charlie and waiting for his return from his work day.

After our trip I'll be back to work. Life rolls on.  

Kere Kere Cafe in Fitzroy Gardens for lunch. 

Training

Milla is suddenly mobile. Only two weeks ago she made her first attempt at pulling herself up to standing. A few days ago she crawled. Now she is good at both and getting quick.

A few weeks ago Charlie pointed out the red clock in the kitchen and now Milla loves to point to it. We are training her to use her excellent pointing skills to indicate 'clock', 'guitar', and her two toys, Aslan the wooden lion who sits with her at mealtimes, and Alpi the knitted alpaca who is her very favourite of the cuddlies. Last night she did all four of the 'points' and yielded lots of congratulations from us.

Backdoor kitchen pan percussion with new hat.

Crawling

Milla crawled yesterday. She has been doing some downward dog style poses and lots of pivoting. Yesterday after an epic grocery walk, I unpacked her and the groceries and working in the kitchen while she played in the hall on the carpet. Fifteen minutes playing with a packet of chewing gum. Then she crawled towards me.

When Charlie got home she did he customary shrieks, actually holding her breath with excitement. He knelt to her and put his wallet with keys down and she crawled forward to it. Yays! Milla has been so into standing lately that we'd thought she might not crawl, just go straight to upright.

Yesterday we also dropped the 5pm breastfeed. I realised it's been months since I breastfed in public. Now it's just morning and evening, in Milla's dark room.

At State Library for Baby Bounce session.

14/52

Nine months, five days. Dissecting dried fig.

Nine Months

Almost as long outside as in.

New Milla. 

Milla is very interested in the world. Loves pointing. Watching people walk down the street. My hands on the steering wheel. Wind moving the tree tops. Listening for birds.

Milla is trying to stand up. Does not crawl. Loves to be tickled and wrestle with me on the bed. Is overwhelmed with joy when Charlie gets home.

Milla plays with my googles, a remote, the beautiful wooden blocks, her soft toy collection (somewhat roughly, very enthusiastically), my water bladder.

Milla can sometimes clap on command, can sometimes guide a spoon to her mouth, loves to bounce in her high chair and on her feet.

Milla points at the little black cat in the Maisy book, is soothed by recitation of Each Peach (cos I don't sing), will drop everything for Charlie's guitar playing.

Milla is loved and is lovely. Nine months old today.

Sleepy. On the road. Nine months.

Baby Jail

We're at this stage.

Baby jail purchased not for punishment but because Milla is now trying to pull herself up. It's awesome. Nine months old tomorrow.

13/52

I took some paparazzi shots of Charlie and Milla sitting on the bluestone step in the yard, peeping from the window. Then Charlie got up and peeped Milla around at me. So good. 

Who's that peeping? 

Books

Charlie sold some bike gear on eBay and declared the profits would be available for new books. Awesome.

Milla has had books read to her since her first weeks. Guess How Much I Love You was read many times in the Ballroom to the tiny infant.

Then we were given Lost and Found and Maisy's Colours and they become firm favourites.

A few others have joined the repertoire. Since Christmas, Charlie and I learnt Each Peach Pear Plum by heart and Where is the Green Sheep gets lots of grins from Milla. She now points at elements in the pictures (pointing is her favourite thing this week) and tries to turn pages. She rocks and reaches and is very happy to be read to and unless exhausted will want more and more.

So the family excursion to Readings finally happened yesterday (after Ikea! We must be mad!). We spent $95 in twenty minutes, anxious to get back on the road before Milla let us know she was tired.

Readings haul at home. 

It was fun and mad. We three picked up books and quickly read them. The Mix it Up book was the only one I'd already seem before. Though I've coveted the black and white fabric books. Perfect for little ones. How to Catch a Start is by Oliver Jeffers, who we love from Lost and Found. It's going to be fun reading these!

12/52

Did my second of two photography classes last night. Lucky me I know someone who would come to me. So we took photos down at the waterfront at the end of my street.

First portrait of Milla with technical intent.

My brain was emptied almost completely of all the technical photography know how from school and when I had my lovely Pentax and amazing Zenit. I was starting again.

11/52

Long night, slow morning, strange days. Great light.

Waking up in travel bed at Castlemaine.

Castlemaine

Another girls' overnight trip. In Castlemaine to see art and friend. Milla and I have house to ourselves, it's cosy and strange. Lucky I have lived with this dear friend before, stops the house from being too spooky.

Outside gallery, playing. 

Milla barely slept last night (and me too, having brief nightmares about Milla taking a huge fall). She was so hot to touch and very upset. When Chemist Warehouse opened at 830am, I was there to purchase a thermometer. She registered 37ish and perked up a little. We hit the road.

Clapping

Friends for dinner last night and Milla clapped. She does a lot of things with her hands but this was the first time clapping. Very exciting. Yesterday morning I collected her from bed to race of to Pilates and she was all sleepy on her tummy. Progress there too.

Few days have passed in the last eight months with no photos of Milla. Yesterday was one. Here's a pic from Monday instead as Charlie introduced her to a new toy.

Bit exciting.

This time last year we were in New Zealand and I was 25 weeks pregnant and feeling great. Time flies. Life marches on. We are now in the gap where I have no income, after my work maternity leave has run out and the government parental scheme. A few weeks from now and we'll be back on the road, headed north, Buller again, Jindabyne, Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Nowra... A month of life on the road before I return to work. Eep.

10/52

Running low on photos. Thank goodness I'm doing a photo course next week. Expect huge improvements here. Huge.

Just woke up. 

Just back from three days up Mount Buller, a very different high country weekend. Charlie competing mountain biking and us girls hanging out. We feared it would be long boring days on the summit, but Milla and I managed to socialise and really enjoy the gorgeous weather and relaxed pace. Charlie's races started later in the day so we enjoyed mornings together and Milla slept well so we were all happy. So much to say.

Tried a run around the village, hills and thin air made it so challenging! I was dreaming of the long flats.

9/52

Yesterday was a baby-led weaning kind of day so Milla didn't eat much. Woke at 1:45am and got a bonus feed. Most times I go to collect her from her room, she's on her tummy. Here's her snotty sleepy face with pink cheek from rubbing on her bed this morning as I cycled on the stationary bike unawares. She's got some beautiful block sets from family which can be used for all different types of activity. Here she's using a wooden set for drumming.

Baby Milla at work.

8/52 and Eight Months

Eight month check up yesterday. The last one was 4 months, seems like forever. At that appointment we were told we could start giving Milla food. This time we found she's at the 90th percentile for weight, yup. Huge.

At the nurse, lifting up the toy in waiting room.

I need to give Milla more finger food, so she can feed herself. Mealtime is so messy anyhow, what am I waiting for? Last night while I was at Pilates Charlie played lots of 'development' games with things hidden in boxes, requiring various skills to find and retrieve them.

First swimming lesson on Sunday was a blast. We had Grandma cheering from the sidelines and Milla grinning at everyone. Who knew Braybrook could be so much fun? I had been warned that the lessons were exhausting.

Post-swim coma. 

Rolling and Evenings

Yesterday Milla howled during the afternoon attempt at nap. I went in after a while and found her on all fours in her crib, facing me, tears. So, she's rolled over. Using the bars as a tool to hoist up. So, it's hard for her to rest.

Same this arvo. Charlie got her up. He's sick and tired.

Tiny nurse. 

Sometimes we dread the evening and I say I'll put Milla to bed early. We think it'll be hard with velcro kid and no relaxing and she'll be hard work and the evening will be stressful as we're tired... It always seems to be that the next hour flies by in a delicious flurry of giggles and games.

Playing with my foot. 

Second round of conjunctivitis sent us to search for a Westside GP and we weren't disappointed. A serious, gentle and no nonsense woman who told us to bathe Milla's eye with salt water. And it's better. Just like that.

Busy days and good days, despite the lurgy. I've been for lots of runs. And went to St Kilda Readings to see John Darnielle genius read for his brill book. Milla and Charlie came for the ride and hung out on the grass while I basked in the brilliance and got my book signed. Life goes on, eh.

Affection

Milla's arms around my neck. Her right hand patting my shoulder. Her open mouth on my face. Tongue on my cheek. So much affection and crazy cute natural ways to show me. I hid under her chair yesterday as I wiped up the mealtime mess and she arched and searched. When I appeared on the other side, she clung to my arm. Looked at Charlie - 'I found her!'.

Examining her foot.

7/52

Got a cold. First time I've been crook in a year or so. Might have broken the back of it today. Charlie home all snotty. Put Milla down for a nap and she howled. And howled. So I went for a run. Came back to a sleeping baby, but forty-five minutes of howling, wah.

Milla takes big bites out of the backyard tomatoes. I'm harvesting a kilo a day still.

Learning 'no' by trying to eat leaves. 

Post-swaddle life is good. Though with the naps, it's harder to get her to rest and she pushes herself up to bang her head on the top of the crib.

Swimming lessons start this week for Milla, Mum will take her and hopefully I'll get some longer runs in.

Post-Swaddle 3

"Third verse, same as the first, just last night..."

I'm tired. But the overnight unswaddle has been great. No turning back. Already thinking about Montessori-style floor beds and the next step for this kid.

Walked to the Happy River Cafe yesterday and sprawled out with Mother's Group. It was grand. Lucky to have another mother nearby who loves to walk. Six kay walk, both ways, 2 and a half hours walking.

This morning Milla said 'Mum' at me. She says lots of different sounds, including ma-ma and duh-duh all the time but this seemed to be with intent.

Milla electing not to take an afternoon nap.

Post-Swaddle 2

All good with one arm out until 2am sharp. Then two hours of howling. Pick up, rock, count backward from 100. Go to kitchen and listen to crying. Repeat. And an hour slips by. I took the other arm out. I switched the arms. I did a nappy change and mercy boob. I listened to her cry again. At 4am I heard the howls peter out and we both fell asleep. Milla woke at 930am and we began our day. 

Milla. My sweet. 

Post-Swaddle

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. But we had a very good night.

Bottle feeding.

Milla is working hard to roll herself over. She also sleeps really well. Usually she goes to bed by 9pm and wakes around 5am. Time to stop the swaddling. My plan was to have a few days of all naps with no swaddle before trying overnight. But the opportunity with Charlie being away was too good.

Yesterday Milla slept for two hours in the stroller as I pounded the westside pavement picking up local honey and beautifully pressed second hand clothes. It was 30 degrees but felt cooler. It was glorious. Hard work walking. Found the Vernon Street shops for the first time.

After lunch Milla declined to nap. I tried. She screamed. I tried. She got up and was cute. Ach.

Bedtime came a little early. Strangely I was exhausted. I left one arm out of her sleep bag. Nervously sat and waited for her to fright. Nope. Woke up at 5am for a feed. I put her back to bed in a new sleep sack with both arms out. Slept for two hours. Winning. Then she got up and ate vegemite toast. And gulped down her peach and fig porridge.

6/52

Back up to Tolmie this weekend. Much better than our first trip. Milla woke each night but I put it down to cold. So back on Gumtree to look for merino clothes! 

Watching her hands. 

I drove up Friday evening with girlfriend. We had a lovely long stop in Yea and then Milla screamed all the way to Tolmie. Horrible but we two sang and chatted and it didn't feel to angsty. 

Saturday was spent at the Tolmie Sports Day watching the woodchop, three legged races and dog jump. I went for a 4k run each day. Brilliant. 

Drive home Sunday following Produce Store visit was entirely different to Friday. Milla slept the whole way to Melbourne. So. We still can't travel in evenings. 

Home with a week ahead of no Charlie, travelling for work. I'm going to try to break the swaddle. Less at risk if we don't need to preserve his sleep for work. Wish me luck. 

Fail

Camping. Fail.

Thankfully the drama is receding, but Milla and I had a camping fail.

A trip with a group of friends to camp at Warburton on the Yarra. We did it last year when I was pregnant and rode not quite all the way up Donna Buang. This time the dates changed and Charlie couldn't come as he was booked into a mountain biking workshop for the weekend. That's ok! Milla and I will still go! The friends who we camp with are baby-lovers and will help me with Milla. We've always had good times camping!

Happy baby at camp.

But no. Milla couldn't nap at the campground. It was noisy, and too hot in the tent. So I took her in the stroller and she snatched 2 x 45 minute stroller naps. Bedtime was ok, she fell asleep on me in the socialising marquee, I took her to the tent to nurse her a little more then put her down. It was a bit slow but ok. A bit later, I slid in next to her. She in her crib, me on the thermarest beside. I woke to her noises, of course, which we don't usually hear. She wakes, cries out without waking, goes back to rest.

Then at 2:20m she really woke. Nurse, nappy change, nurse, nappy fail, bedding wet, nappy from the car, nurse, wants to play, grizzle. I am totally panicked. It's so clear and beautiful outside. I text my friend, sleeping nearby in her van with her baby. She comes and holds Milla while I get dressed and grab gear from the tent. We get in the car and abandon camp. Tent still up. It's 3:35am and I'm driving 84km back to home.

5/52

Blue suits you like me. Yesterday you tried sipping through a straw for the first time. You were a quick learner. You also learnt to drum, following your father's instruction. We had a great day, swimming in the pool, you kicked and kicked and followed the bubbles, fighting the urge to drink the water. I ran three 3kms along the Darebin Creek. You ate almost a whole kiwi and seemed to hate every mouthful... Why did you keep coming back for more? Right now you've been asleep for 18 minutes with your arms out. Sun is shining and we're having a quiet day.

Figs are a new friend. Pre-loved and much loved dress. 

Maybe girls camping tomorrow, weather's hot, water keeps beckoning. Charlie is riding all weekend at You Yangs. Can I do it solo?

Seven Months

Milla at seven months.

Wild Child

Milla. Tries to peak at the next page of the book. Giggles hysterically at Charlie's peak-a-boo. Can glug from her sipper cup: loves loves loves drinking water. Sits. Tries to crawl. Is still swaddled, though I'm trying to break it. Feeds from the boob so well. Chats "ne ne ne ne" and "da da da da". Can sit outside by herself for ages and watch ants and butterflies and listen to motorcycles. Occasionally will fall asleep in our arms, particularly in the evening when Charlie watches mountain biking vids on YouTube...  Can feed herself toast fingers and big chunks of dried fruit. Always loves yoghurt. Is amazed by clapping, baffled by my dancing. Wants to play with the back door chain. Very strong tummy muscles and will stay in a v-sit-up for ages. Cries getting nappy changed when tired.

Love love love this kid.

4/52 aka snot

There was a little girl.

Mopey baby with a cold out visiting. 

Now my friends' babies are coming, I am reminded how quickly memories fade. How did we get Milla to sleep in her room? When did breastfeeding stop hurting?

This week Milla had her first cold. I think she's just over it now. It was lots of snot, so noisy feeding and gasping for a break when eating, and a bit of sooky moping.

Backyard tomatoes a-go-go. Been for six runs. Four months now til I'm back at work. Life goes on.

Settling

Milla has been more and more gorgeous this week. Eating well, waking happy, sleeping solidly. I took her to the beach two days in a row and she pretty much hated it. Then yesterday she smacked her forehead and developed a snotty nose. Two firsts. Went to bed ok, usual time, gorgeous baby. Woke 45 minutes later howling. It took me 45 minutes to settle her, during which I found the beginnings of her second tooth poking through. Ah.

Settling. We resolved no breastfeed, that's fine. And better to not pick her up, rather to pat. Last night the snotty nose was rasping and snuffling. I offered cool water and she became even more upset. I picked her up. No respite. I put her down, went back to our bed. Just like that twenty minutes had passed. I went back, took her out of bed and into the cool backyard. She was alert and beautiful. Into Ballroom, refused more sips of water (a first), read her 'Lost and Found'. Back to cot. Howling. Back to my bed. Howling. Forty minutes have passed. Go back, switch light on, pick her up. Cuddles, I count backwards from 100, saying "hey-hey".

Sleep. Seven or so hours later, Charlie's alarm gets him up and making coffee. Milla wakes.

Williamstown Beach at 5pm on a windy Friday.

Routines and meals

Well it must be three weeks of the new routine, one dropped breastfeed and a big move towards food. Yesterday I almost forgot to include a breastfeed at lunch, so I think that will be the next to go. Physically, it's not been too tricky for me to do the 9-hours overnight and then 6-hours from sleepy feed to lunchtime.

Milla suddenly started eating a whole lot more food, I go scrambling in the fridge as she finishes apple porridge, then avocado, then yoghurt. Loves yoghurt. She's now had two Charlie-cooked meals with meat: chicken and peach, lamb and carrot. Meat takes her wayyyy longer to eat, she uses those gums to chew chew chew.

Hot and thirsty work, eating baby bolognese. 

Growing lots of hair. Can recognise me in a photo in the hallway. Pulls back the blanket in the backyard to grab handfuls of grass. Can hold a v-situp for ages. Getting very good at stepping. I'm going to miss the breastfeeding cuddle.

3/52

Looks like the face of a little person, not a baby. Love the curiosity, the gusto, the intent. Love this kid.

Milla at six-and-a-half months, mountain top camping.

After morning nap, tent filters light warm. Unzipped sleeping bag, merino vest, those eyes.

Mount Stirling and a Run

Back to Stirling, camped just below summit this time. We had more than just our little tent. Three big cars and six people! Brilliant sunrise Sunday morning that Milla woke us for.

Summit baby. Milla at six-and-a-half months.

We've said that becoming parents has made us more organised. But Charlie was already a logistics supremo. This time he really outshone. On Friday he drove up to Stirling base by himself, Milla and I stayed home and I got in a few hours of essay work in the even and early morning. Charlie spent Saturday riding the trails at Buller in preparation for March competing. Then grandparents collected girls and we headed to join. Went straight to top of Buller and found Charlie Plus One all sweaty and dusty there.

Good times. We borrowed a Phil & Teds travel cot from a generous Mother's Group mother and squeeeezed it into our tent - just. It would fit fine if the tent was just for Milla. Anyhoo, it's the best we've come up with so I bought one on eBay immediately. It seems so much better than bigger travel cots, more flexible as it can be a totally contained mozzie-proof standalone baby cage.

Tent baby. 

Milla was a total chatterbox all eve Saturday. It was quite cute. On Sunday she said 'blah blah blah' which is Charlie's fault as he says that to her all! the! time! She's been saying 'da da da dadah' a lot too.

High country view from Stirling treeline. 

Back home Sunday night and Monday saw my long-awaited running comeback. Yeah! My last run was in May, two kilometres, down to the water and back. This time I ran one kilometre, felt amazing and am totally psyched.

2/52

Some ups and down. Immunisations on Tuesday for Milla's six-month milestone. We had the Panadol box (new, unopened from last immunisations), at the ready as she howled and howled at bedtime. Forty-five minutes.

A couple of good days and a couple of days refusing to nap and being overtired and a bit unfun. She still sleeps all through the night, though has woken at 4am a couple of times. I've given her a bonus feed.

Second photo.

Watching the rain.

Linking up with the 52 Project.

New baby

I held a new baby yesterday. Just 30 hours old and so tiny. Perfect and amazing. It feels so different to witness a friend become a mother, now that I am one. My thumper of a daughter looked enormous next to the tiny precious new creature.  

I also realised how unwell I was after giving birth! Seeing my friend sitting up, chipper and happy, taking visitors, texting and posing for photos, I realised she was simply well. Not superwoman, just well. Whereas I was in hospital for four nights and couldn't dream of having visitors. I didn't talk on the phone or leave the room.

I feel like a had a perfect birth, I was happy and felt strong, loved and supported. But losing lots of blood after, and having surgery, really took its toll. I could see it on my friend's face - a complete inversion of mine!

Oh, and here's Thumper, in a party dress, at her Pop's.

Milla at 6 months. 

1/52

A little discipline. A little dedication. I'm going to do a portrait a week of Milla. Not off to a great start as Week One slipped by already. The photo for this week was not taken with the nice camera, doh, but the stupid phone.

A friend's family beach house, a day and night and adwenture without Charlie. Milla's first dip in the ocean. 

Hot baby taking a bucket bath in the shade at Somers. 

Linking up with the 52 Project. 

A Tooth

A tiny serration. If I can get my finger in, I can feel it, just as she thrusts and squirms. It wasn't there a day ago, I swear. This makes sense. Her first tooth.

Junior toddler. There's a tooth in that grin, somewhere.