What Cora Wore // Angels Face

18 months is an exciting age.  Until recently I could still think of Cora as a baby and it was easy.  She is still quite petite, she still looks so peaceful when she sleeps and she isn't much of a talker.  I can't deny her toddler-ness (totally a word) any longer though and this little girl of mine is feisty, opinionated and growing up quickly.  She has learned to say no, to shake her head and assert her opinions.  She is cheeky, she teases and plays and solves problems.  She is following her big brothers around and learning from them and it is exciting watching her personality grow and blossom.

I don't know yet whether she will be a girly girl, I think she is torn between wanting to climb trees and scramble in mud and the love of a pouffy skirt and she is already drawn to a tutu.  We were sent this one from Angel's Face as well as the hat and she had a big smile as soon as I put it on her and she couldn't stop playing with it.

There is something so adorable about a toddler in a tutu and I love the fun, feminine style.  The waistband is soft and stretchy and the hat co-ordinates perfectly.  We teamed it with her grey wool coat and her snow boots to keep her snug and she has two lots of thermals on under her leggings.  I have plans to pair it with a band -shirt and converse as the weather gets warmer and I can't wait!

The tutu is incredibly soft and special and came in a vintage inspired hat box.  I think this might be one of the items I keep for a possible grandchild one day as it is just so beautiful.  I will have to print out some of these photos to keep in the box too.  Cora is wearing age 1-2 here and is a petite 18 month old so if you are torn between sizes I would suggest sizing up. 

Thank you to Angel's Face for sending us these beautiful items!

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A Fourth First Christmas

This is my fourth time celebrating a first Christmas and the novelty has worn off a little.  I was so excited when we approached December 2011, Dylan had all the beautiful dress up onesies, I took him to playgroup parties and to see Santa and I lovingly wrapped a few gifts to put in his stocking.  Since then I have realised that Christmas just gets better the older they are, so instead of planning ways on remembering Cora's milestone, I am focusing on her big brothers, and making Christmas special for them.

Dylan and Archie are a wonderful age for it, they understand  more, they remember the excitement, they are learning the songs, watching the Christmas films and Dylan has been learning about the Christmas story at school.  They write lists to Santa, they discuss where they will hang their stockings and they want to send Christmas cards to everyone we know.

Cora meanwhile is pretty oblivious.  I am still her world, she wants milk and cuddles and she doesn't care much for toys or books just yet.  She will wake up on Christmas morning to gifts under the tree but I will be unwrapping the same presents I wrapped the night before, getting excited on her behalf and with three big brothers and all their toys, she will mostly be receiving clothes ready for her in the next size up.

Cora's first Christmas is still special though, it is still a first, it is still full of magic and joy and so I decided to dress her up and take some photos, because this is probably the only year she will sit still and I was a little excited about buying her a tutu (I bought it a size big so that she can actually wear it next year).  These photos are a 'just because' and I love them.

I bought her skirt from Florrie and Max, her vest from Le Petit Chiffon and her headband from Harper Jade

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What the Boys Wore - Tootsa MacGinty

Somehow the bloke and I have made it to 31 and 27 without ever gaining a driving license between us, but that all changed last week when he passed his practical test and promptly went out and bought a car (I think Finn will still be safe behind the wheel before I am).  

The newly acquired license has given us a taste of freedom and last weekend we drove up to Scadbury nature reserve near Sidcup to meet with one of my favourite bloggers, Amber from the Goblin Child.  I love her style of photography, and these gorgeous clothes we were sent from Tootsa Macginty deserved their own photoshoot.

I apologise now for the magnitude of photos, it was too hard narrowing down so I have included all of my favourites.

This safari print is perfect for my little explorers, although we didn't spot any of the animals roaming loose in London.  Armed with a torch, some binoculars and two walkie talkies, they set out on their expedition.

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My Little Family in July

This year, I have been busy capturing our life as a family of four.  I have been taking part in the Me and Mine project, which sees us taking a family portrait every month, to record the little changes and get everyone in the frame.  I have loved taking part, and in an effort to really capture the essence of our family, we turned to a photographer last month to capture those candid shots when we are just being us.

I shared a few in the July Me and Mine post, but I wanted to share some more, just because.  My family means everything to me, and I am so proud to show them off.  (I apologise for the photo overload)

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As They Change

These two boys are changing so fast that I am struggling to keep up.  Archie is reaching new milestones and mastering new skills, whilst Dylan is losing the baby side of his features, and getting taller and stronger every day.  Their relationship is changing as Archie becomes more adventurous and determined, but more fun as a playmate at the same time.

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A New Dynamic

Up until quite recently, Archie has been a baby, Dylan a toddler.  They have loved each other, cared for each other and enjoyed having a brother to spend the days with.  Dylan was the active one, bringing toys to Archie, entertaining him, looking out for him.  Archie is now well and truly mobile, comfortably cruising the furniture and crawling on his hands and knees.  He is climbing the stairs, exploring every surface and toy and causing mischief at every opportunity! 

The dynamic has changed, it is no longer a one sided show, but the boys are learning to play together.  They sit with the same toy pressing buttons or moving the characters around.  They follow each other, they giggle together playing their own little games. Archie is becoming a toddler before my very eyes.

The dynamic is always changing and it won't be long before Archie is the dominant one.  His personality is cheekier, his will stronger and I foresee all kinds of fun as they grow up together.

There are two sides to these changes though, and of course Dylan still needs his space.  He has puzzles to do, lego to build and books to read without a little brother trying to chew the pieces.  He wants to spread out and get stuck in like he used to, but Archie has other ideas and this can cause some obvious friction between them. 

 I haven't yet come up with a solution for when they are both demanding of my time, and they still nap together in the afternoons leaving me no one on one time during the days.

Mostly though, the changes are exciting to watch.  Archie is learning to play, and Dylan to share.  They are entertaining each other, growing a friendship and I have more and more moments where I can sit on the sofa with a cup of tea and just watch them smiling and playing together.  I knew that having the boys so close together with only an 18 month gap would have its advantages as well as its challenges and seeing the boys together now both are so clear.

I feel like they have the best gift ever in having a sibling to share their childhood with, a constant companion and playmate but there are times I just want to split myself in two.  Mostly though, I am finding this stage exciting as we grow alongside one another as a family.

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A Little Cup of Perfection

I couldn't resist taking Archie for a newborn photo shoot and I also can't resist sharing my favourite snap with you here. 

This is my beautiful baby at 8 days old as photographed by the very lovely and very talented Kidz-Unlimited

This is why we had such a problem choosing a name other than 'Squish'  - Look at those gorgeous squishy cheeks!

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A Family Photo

I never realised quite how difficult it would be to get a photo of four people looking the same way until we attempted a family photo.  

So here we are

My beautiful family. 

Looking away, mid sentence and with an impressive double chin from the baby.

Enjoying the sunshine

Being Us.

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My Beautiful Boy

You may have noticed that I love to take photos of my gorgeous little man.  Not only is he utterly scrummy, he is my life right now and I love recording our adventures.  All my photos are courtesy of my smartphone though, and although I am never without it, there is something special about those perfectly posed pictures with a quality camera.

When Dylan was only a few weeks old, we got his photos done, and his gorgeous Cat in the Hat picture still hangs pride of place in the living room.  We went back to the same photographer when he was six months and twelve months to have some more pictures done.  

It is with great pride in my beautiful boy that I share some of my favourite photos of Dylan

6 Months Old

Daddy's little penguin

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A day in the life of a nine month old

Ever wondered what goes on in a 9 month old's life?  Dylan and I took some photos today to illustrate his.

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Day 7- The Photoshoot

Since the birth of our son in August 2011, we have spent hundreds of pounds capturing his first months.  There are so many professional photographers preying on proud mothers that is easy to get caught up in it, taking every opportunity and filling your home with beautiful images of your baby so that even when they are asleep you cannot forget about them.


We currently have a giant image of Dylan, 2 months old hanging above our fireplace, which we payed a considerable amount for.  We have the bounty photos (They are only a new newborn once), Photo shoot photos (They had novelty hats, and do look stunning- check out the wonderful Kidz-Unlimited  ) and we have several sets of pixifoto photos (It's only five pounds, and every time I convince myself I will just get the free one- never works).  I have turned down several hopeful photographers who have rang or sent letters offering their services for very reasonable prices, relying on that newborn squishy-faced cuteness to do the selling for them.


It's not like we don't take photos of the little man, we have albums full of them, and my phone camera contains very few photos that he does not feature in, but we get caught in the professional trap every time.  The second child will probably end up with none as we will be so broke from shelling out on Dylan!



Today, I attempted my own photo shoot.  It didn't look quite professional, the lighting was nothing special, and the sheet needed an iron, but the boy sure does look cute.

    

Ok, I couldn't resist but add a few.  Point is, I love them.  They show my beautiful baby boy, in a very simple way, looking happy.  Not sure I will stop with the photo shoot addiction, but I have some of my own to add to the collection too now!

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