I have a love for all things vintage. A serious passion. It's a dream to make it my job one day and I have a pretty good collection of crockery, jewellery, furniture, books and plenty of clothes to prove it. But it's nothing compared to Josephine. Already the girl has several more awesome pieces than me, each better than the last. And it's thanks to charity shop finds (a heap of dresses that were 50p each and I bought on the off chance everyone was wrong and we had a girl. Thank God I did!), brilliant Etsy shops and lovely bloggers around the world.
Each and every piece is beautifully made, in the styles I think little girls should be wearing and in fabrics and prints that offer something so different to what's on the majority of the high street. We want Phiney to grow up understanding that being unique is a wonderful thing, and that extravagant consumption and expensive shopping sprees aren't necessary. That instead it's better for the world to recycle, shop locally or support charity and cherish things from the past. Plus it's obviously more stylish too, dahling.
Most of the above is hanging ready for Phiney to grow into over the coming months, and in some cases years. I can't wait to see her rocking such beautiful pieces and hope it instills the same love for vintage that I have. Scouring charity shops and vintage stores with my little girl is just some of the fun I am so looking forward to us sharing. In the meantime she can rely on me to track down more treasures for her wardrobe. I know. It's such a burden.
Some pieces from here and here and gifts from this, this, this and this awesome Mama. Oh and this lady deserves a mention for keeping her eyes peeled for awesome finds/being such a bad influence. Josephine is sending you all thank you kisses xxps. 180 followers? Wowza! Hello to you all, new and old. Thanks for stopping by x
Everyday I am amazed by how much Josephine changes week to week. Just check out how much older and more aware she looks in these shots compared to these. This week her smiles have gone from fleeting grins to smile sessions lasting 5 minutes or more. I've seen her look at her own hand and slowly, but with great determination, lower it into her mouth where she can have a nice chew on it. And today, as I type, she's having a (late afternoon now early evening) nap in her moses basket. Last week I tried this on several occasions, but she wasn't having any of it. Far happier snoozing on the sofa or in her Mama's arms. This afternoon she's slept in that basket for more than 2 hours.
We're not really sure if any of this is normal for her age. If she's more advanced or not than the average baby. While we read up on pregnancy and labour, we haven't gone down the route of buying any books on our baby's development. Yet. We're firm believers in the idea that every child grows and develops at their own pace. They have strengths and weaknesses different to other children of their age and it's both unfair and unrealistic to categorise them as many books and websites do. To be honest, I'm more interested in what other Mamas, with similar parenting ideals to us, have to say. Thanks to the wonderful blogging community I find myself in, there is an abundance of advice and ideas out there that I truly respect and will definitely take with me on this journey. Words like these are especially interesting and reassuring. But I am interested to know if anyone does have any good book recommendations that you think I might like. I've heard a lot about this one and am tempted by a copy. You read it?
Over the last few weeks I've also been blessed (and I really do see it as a blessing) with finding some new friends whose advice and shared experiences I am coming to cherish. Other new Mamas who all live within 10 minutes of me and who I'm having so much fun getting to know, chat about our babies, exchange stories and discuss any issues we've faced. There's also a lot of laughter involved. A lot. Today we met at the local park's cafe (fast become our stomping ground) and looked on at the older children imagining our kiddos growing up together and us sitting round the same table over the years to come. I know how lucky I am to find 3 awesome Mamas for Josephine and I to spend some of our days with, and it's lovely to think Phiney has Aoife, Ari and Oliver to get to know as she grows.
Pictures taken earlier this week. Phiney soaking up some spring sunshine in her pink tights and stripey dungarees. Too delicious.
It's been two weeks since my last post, so if anyone's still over here reading this - thanks for sticking around. While I've been catching up on what you're all doing on my iPhone during late night, early morning and middle of the day feeds, I haven't actually sat at the computer at all. And I can tell you it's been rather lovely. Sometimes I think you need a break from this blogging malarkey to enjoy the real world. I often wonder if I'm too engrossed in the virtual one and at the moment I don't want to miss a second of what's happening right here. But now, having learnt to multi-task a little better, I'm back. Blog posts are written, photos taken and it appears a bit of the anal girl who likes things organised has returned.
The last few weeks we've had family occassions galore, our first road trip with Josephine to Norfolk 5 hours away, tonnes of cleaning to do (rather unsuccessfully I might add) Mama and baby groups to attend, new friends to catch up with and fun days out with this little family of mine - the local food festival on Sunday being particularly yummy! And I've got to say that in the majority there is no photographic evidence of any of it. The sign of a good time is when you don't have chance to pick up the camera I reckon.
So instead I thought I'd snap a few little things from around the house today....
*The latest Vogue and the first fashion magazine I've bought in almost a year. I'm interested again after a hiatus thanks to that growing belly of mine.
*Pretty Tete a Tete from my Mum.
*The spring sunshine glowing through the windows this morning, warming up the living room.
*Beautiful Phiney dreaming away.
*Lovely things from lovely people arriving in the mail...more on that to come.
*A very sweet Mama-made present from Jossphine's little mate Bertie, received after a morning trip to our local cafe earlier today.
ps. I'm aware that about 3 weeks ago I said our birth story would be up here soon... it will be, I promise. Soon. Or soonish at least.
Josephine's first Monthly Portrait. Taken in her nursery on the 18th of every month.
On Saturday Josephine turned 1 month old. Already. In so many ways it's hard to remember what life was like without her and in others it seems like she only arrived yesterday.
Everyday this little bird of ours changes and develops and learns something new. Over the last week she's started chatting away - to us, to herself and to random objects she spies around the house. When we talk to her she looks right into you, concentrating on every word you're saying and every facial expression. Taking it all in and learning how to replicate it. And we've been getting the occassional smile. Her legs and arms start moving excitedly, she starts cooing away and then she flashes us a big ol' grin. Dimples a-plenty. It's the most beautiful thing and we can't wait until those gummy smiles are a daily occurance..
She's always been strong, but now Josephine can hold her whole upper body and head away from you for minutes at a time. Slowly looking around the room, familiarising herself with her home. And she's as laid back as ever. Only crying when she wants food, a change or has a bit of wind. But even then it's pretty fake, stopping as soon as she gets what she wants.
Our first month as a family of three has been beautiful, surprising, tiring, unforgettable, emotional, challenging, life-affirming, tough, fun...the list could go on. In the vast majority it's been divine. But there have been some tricky times too. What's awesome is that we've worked through them. Our little team, figuring out how to make things better. Waking to each new day with a different action plan, testing new methods and slowly working out what works. An ongoing process that will change and develop as Josephine does. But that's all part of this amazing adventure, and we can't wait for every aspect of it. The good, the bad, even the ugly (aka very poopy nappies and Mama's greasy hair).
We're so in love with our Teeny Phiney, she inspires and amazes us every hour, every day.
ps. I'm just editing our birth story... come back later in the week for the full 40 hour journey. Oh yeah. 40 hours. It's a long 'un people.
pps. Like the knitted dungerees? Head to Happy Circus and grab a pair. They come in a whole array of fruity colours and patterns and are downright cool.
ppps. And speaking of Etsy, check out my lovely friend Liz's new Etsy shop. Josephine has one of those little owls hanging in the nursery and it's beautifully made. Go buy one x
Wow, blogging with a 3 week old baby is tough. How some of these other ladies do it, i'll never know. Right now Dora is sat snuggling Josephine so I've got some time to tidy, eat and write a quick blog but it's quite possible that over the next few weeks the posts round here will be pretty sporadic until we get our little routine a bit more sorted.
In a nutshell though...
*Day by day Josephine and I are learning more and more. Cuddles aside, nothing calms her quicker than a bit of white noise so the bathroom fan and sound of the shower, the fan in the kitchen and my hairdryer all keep her occupied (and often send her to sleep) when Mama's trying to get clean, wash up or make herself look a little presentable. A quick shower and non-frizzy hair make me feel so much more with it and prepared for anything, so have become vital 'to-do's' in the morning and the fact Josephine sits quite happily in her bouncy chair while i'm doing them is a blessing.
*I've started to understand that a bad night, with little sleep or things not going to plan, doesn't mean a bad day or visa versa and it's best to just take every moment as it comes. Plans are pointless with a newborn. For example, on Tuesday night our little bird woke up at least once an hour and I got about 2 hours sleep in total. When Ben left for work I wondered how I was going to make it through the day, but it turned out to be one of best yet. Josephine slept the whole time I was showering (I even shaved my legs and moisturised), we visited my Mum for a bit of lunch and then headed into the village to meet fellow new Mama and lovely lady Ash to introduce our little girls to eachother. A pretty tough night was followed by a really great day.
*I'm so thankful I treated myself to an iPhone (and internet access at my fingertips) before Josephine arrived. Typing comments with my left hand can be tricky, but i'm still visiting all your blogs as much as ever; they're keeping me going through those 4am feeds so that, thank you!
*And speaking of blogs, I have to say that these are fast becoming some of my favourite posts in all of blogland. Kellie is one cool cat and quite possibly my new style icon. Also, check out these wedding pictures. Oh so pretty.
*Little by little I'm writing our Birth Story and Breastfeeding Saga and hope to get both finished over the weekend. Neither went as planned and it's amazing how theraputic writing down your feelings can be in coming to terms with things not turning out how you expected.
*Finally, with blogging a little tricky right now, come follow us on Instagram where I've been adding little snapshots of our first weeks together. Just search FirstDayOfMarriage.
And the picture? Beautiful Josephine soundly dreaming, wrapped in blankets and snuggled up against the February snow.
Well, after two blissful weeks enjoying our little cocoon as a family of three, our Babymoon is over and Ben went back to work yesterday. A week ago the prospect of being at home on my own with Josephine was a little terrifying, I'll admit. I wondered how on earth I would ever shower, do the washing up or make some lunch without Ben here to hold her. But over the last few days our little girl has learned to sleep quite soundly in her bouncy chair, allowing me to get a few things done here and there. It's crazy how fast we're getting to grips with this parenting malarkey.
And, with two days down, I can happily report that I've washed my hair, done some washing up, hung out some clean clothes and put more in the machine. How quickly the type of tasks that equate a productive day can change.
Mostly though, I've been spending my days talking to Josephine. Ben and I adore getting to know her more every day and it's the most wonderful thing watching her change and develop with every hour. She's the sweetest creature with such a good nature and only cries when she needs something. She stares directly into your eyes when your talk to her, listening intently, and gets oh so excited when we give her plenty of kisses. You can see her trying so hard to smile.
She adores bathtime with her Papa before being wrapped in a warm towel for snuggles with her Mama. She is always chattering away; sometimes with delicate little kitten purrs and sometimes with noisey growls that make us chuckle. And her quizzicle expressions have been keeping us entertained for hours on end. Everyday is more fun than the last and everyday we love her more. It's already impossible to imagine life without Josephine, completing our little home.
I have a love for all things vintage. A serious passion. It's a dream to make it my job one day and I have a pretty good collection of crockery, jewellery, furniture, books and plenty of clothes to prove it. But it's nothing compared to Josephine. Already the girl has several more awesome pieces than me, each better than the last. And it's thanks to charity shop finds (a heap of dresses that were 50p each and I bought on the off chance everyone was wrong and we had a girl. Thank God I did!), brilliant Etsy shops and lovely bloggers around the world.
