Tag Archives: summer

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Best friends

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Sunday, 12 January 2013: Two Hundred and Eighty Six Days Old.

Ayla and I had a lovely morning today, hanging out like a couple of best friends with not a care in the world.

Hubby had left early to go fishing, so when Ayla and I woke up we had the house to ourselves and a good few hours to fill in.

I had a craving for crepes and before I could think twice and talk myself out of it I dressed Ayla in one of her Christmas dresses from Grandad and we set off for the markets.

The markets were no where near as busy as usual so Ayla and I were able to kick back untroubled in the shade with a coffee and our breakfasts and watch the world go by.

When we got home I was keen to pot a new plant I’d bought (my first ever self-purchased market plant!) and Ayla was keen to finish off her prawn toast!

While I pottered around in the garden Ayla played happily by my side, sharing her toast with The Dog, inspecting fallen sticks, and munching on dead leaves until she was covered from head to toe in dirt, dust and sesame seeds.

The day was starting to heat up so to cool Ayla off and clean her up I set up her baby bath under the patio and let her splash and play for nearly an hour while I relaxed beside her and read the paper; it was relaxing, wholesome and fulfilling, and something I haven’t done in a very long time.

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Beach babe

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Saturday, 9 November 2013: Two Hundred and Twenty Three Days Old.

Ayla went to the beach for the very first time today!

It was a bit cold and very windy so we didn’t hit the surf but instead found a lovely little bay that was tucked in out of the weather.

Of all things – the sounds, the smells, the swell of the ocean or the birds – it was the sand that had Ayla completely mesmerised!

She kicked it, and grabbed it, and ate it, and sunk into it, and walked on it, and stared at it… The. Whole. Time.

It was hard to get her to look up for a photo, and she was hardly interested in the water at all. And the other kids on the beach…? Meh.

It just goes to show how sensitive Ayla is to learning and experiencing new things.

To us, sand is boring and commonplace (in fact it’s even annoying and dislikable sometimes!) but to Baby Ayla it’s an amazing source of new sensory information; texture, movement, sound, look and feel.

I love how Ayla helps me to see the world through new eyes; she ALMOST got me thinking sand is interesting.

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Beside the swim school pool

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Friday, 25 October 2013: Two Hundred and Six Days Old.

As I sat beside the swim school pool today, I marvelled at how memories were being made before my very eyes.

As Hubby and Ayla sang the hokey pokey, splashing alongside a couple of mums and their sons, I was so proud to have such a wonderful, beautiful little family.

But what struck me most was how something as brief and simple as a 30 minute swimming lesson could become a life long memory.

Although nothing spectacular happened, the smile on Hubby’s face as he played with Ayla in the water said it all; he’s a confident, proud, loving Daddy who loves his little girl with all his heart.

I know that in 50 years time, when we’re sitting on our porch watching our grand kids play under the sprinkler, Hubby and I will remember that swimming lesson like it was only yesterday.

Because for those 30 minutes only Daddy and Daughter existed; happy in their togetherness and unabashed by their special bond.
R&

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Best. Idea. Ever.

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Sunday, 20 October 2013: Two Hundred and Three Days Old.

We took a couple of friends out to the shack this weekend and given the stifling Build Up weather and Ayla’s rash I decided to pack the baby bath.

Best. Idea. Ever.

Ayla is now big enough to sit up in the bath herself, and she’s at the age where simple toys provide hours of fun – put the two together and we have one very happy little girl.

It meant I could let Ayla get as dirty as she wanted; I didn’t have to worry about giving her food to play with, or about how much sand landed on her when The Dog walk past wagging his tail.

I also didn’t have to worry about her overheating or about picking her up for a cuddle if I was dirty.

In less than twenty-four hours, Ayla was in the bath about 5 times. She sat there, quietly playing and splashing for ages and it was so wonderful to watch her.

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36 hours

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Friday, 18 October 2013: Two Hundred and One Days Old.

It’s been over 36 hours without a nappy now and all is going well.

Ayla had the best nights sleep in ages last night; instead of waking every two to four hours, she slept eight hours and then another four.

I felt like a new woman this morning and I’m sure Ayla did too. Her rash was looking MUCH better and her morning smiles were proof.

But as the day wore on and got hotter, so too did the nappy rash.

We had a lunch date to attend so instead of nappies I dressed Ayla in tiny cotton underpants that I changed after every wee.

Ayla was the epitome of bravery and dignity the whole time. She didn’t complain or bat an eyelid when I stripped her down in the dress store, or when she wet herself at sushi… She was happy and smiling and glad to be alive.

I think Ayla’s been enjoying all the naked time, and I know she’s loved the fun new positions and activities we’ve been doing to minimise the damage caused by impending accidents.

I feel like I’m making it up to her, slowly, and it’s good to know she’s on the mend, but its such an awful uncomfortable thing that I wish I could snap my fingers and take it all away.

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Kick kick!

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Sunday, 6 October 2013: One Hundred and Eighty Six Days Old.

We bought Baby Ayla a swim ring and its one of the best things we’ve bought so far!

Although Ayla still prefers to float in our arms and splash water everywhere, the swim ring is teaching her to kick.

Ayla’s only been in it a couple of times bur she’s already learning to propel herself through the water by kicking.

Won’t be long before we can tie a lure to the back of it and send her out into the ocean.

**JOKING!!**

Here’s a quick video of her practicing;

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Miss my Ayla

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Friday, 20 September 2013: One Hundred and Seventy Two Days Old.

Hubby and I have had a few massive days at home with the renovations, and now I miss my Ayla!

She’s been right here with us of course, but because we’ve been so busy I haven’t had as much time to hang out with her as I usually do.

Amidst all the work, we did get to have a bit of fun this afternoon when we put Ayla and her friend Baby Coops in the wheelbarrow for a swim!

It was very cute – and a welcome break from concreting – but tonight I still felt like I wanted to cuddle Ayla for eternity and make up for lost time!

I’ve been so conscious that these early days of Ayla will pass by in a blink of an eye and I’ve not wanted to miss a single thing.

To make my guilt over the last couple of days worse, Ayla’s developed a little bit of a cough (I think it’s from all the dust in the air) so now I don’t want to let the poor cherub out of my sight!