finding the love

Oh little Ted, how you try me sometimes. Like at 3am when you have woken for the umpteenth time...like when it feels as though you have been nursing forever and that you will never be separate from me without screaming...

When I cry right along with you (and probably not helping your stress levels as mine rise...)...

Well. There was a moment...just a a teeny tiny moment...when I wished to pop you out in the snow... Of course, this was dismissed as quickly as the whim passed through my mind!

We got up this morning at 5:20am to start our day. To be honest I was thinking you would be getting us up at 4am so was as happy as a sleep deprived mama can be with nearly half five. I had not quite recovered my cheery self, not quite as loving as I would usually be. You know, when I hassle you for snuggles and cuddles and kisses despite your protests that playing with...well, anything...would be oh so much more fun than that.

Then it was just you and me in the kitchen and I picked you up to gently rock and shush you (actually, I was rocking and shushing myself - as you were perfectly happy and I was a bit teary...). You looked up at me and I was lost in your blue blue blue eyes.

Yep, you try me. Then you wow me. And tonight it won't matter how often or long you wake for. We will just be and I will be lost in your everything...

wintery wonder

Teddy & I are currently enjoying the thrill of a gorgeous landscape. The big thaw is upon us, so I thought I had better record the winter wonderland before it becomes green again...

 a white out

(taken on the drive back to Aboyne)

the winter sun attempts to break through

 (taken on the drive back to Aboyne)

across the green, on our first cloudless day

(taken in Aboyne)

I am far from a great photographer - in fact, I am pretty average at the whole camera thing...however, I like to think I have taken some beautiful pictures of a beautiful landscape. As an example of my novice skill level, I have only just removed the date from my camera settings...

hat drawbacks

Little Teddy is facing a couple of dilemmas regarding the need for him to wear a beanie in this weather. This weather being freezing and snowy...

1. He is now (since Christmas) against hats/headwear as a rule. Loathes it.

2. It is wearing off his hair! His sideburns are completely gone and he has a receding hairline...I am afraid he will soon have a mullet...

Poor Teddy. Soon we will be back in a more temperate climate and your hair can recover...

growing

Little Teddy bear, you are so big now. I am looking into posting a package home of all the things you have grown out of since we have been here. This was not poor planning on my part...rather it is an example of how quickly you shoot skywards...it really has happened overnight.

You are talking (your own special language, but talking nonetheless)...you are crawling so fast I struggle to keep up sometimes...you are standing against everything and anything that will take your weight - and some things that don't...you are exerting a personality so strong it makes me glad and proud and a little anxious all at once...

You are growing...in every way all the time. I am so so so lucky to witness it.

little love

Snuggled against me, eyes trying in vain to stay open. We sit under the duvet - Teddy gently feeding, still sleepy from his morning nap.

Nothing quite like the warmth of a little one straight from bed...

an unlikely nap

Teddy, sometimes you do not fall asleep where I expect you to. Other times you fall asleep where I had completely written the entire event off...

Today, the sun peeped out from behind the heavy snow clouds and we practically ran outside for a walk. Thank you Ergobaby - thank you for preventing cabin fever & making the whole event so much easier!

You whinged a little as the icy breeze hit your cheeks and opened your mouth to eat the snow, which had begun again (it takes a long time to get those layers organised!). We walked straight to the shop to pick up a few things, singing along the way as we trudged. As I paid for our items and picked up our parcels, I glanced out the window.

White. Complete, utter, white. Heavy snow fell, very fast. Uh oh.

Slightly apprehensive, off we set again. You hummed happily, snuggled against my chest. Somewhere on the road toward home you fell asleep. Snowflakes rested gently on your eyelashes and you were at peace, content to let me take us to somewhere warmer.

An unlikely nap...who knew all you needed sometimes was a walk through the snow?

rugged up

Sweetness is a bubby all rugged up against the cold...Teddy is looking sweet in his wee snowsuit.

winter wonderland

We have entered a snowy white wonderland...so beautiful.

Cannot wait to rug up bubby for a stomp through the wood...

creaky door

Teddy discovered the entertainment cabinet's creaky door today.

Open - creak - close - creak - on and on, he didn't tire of his game...playing until naptime.

adventuring

We are about to embark on an adventure, Teddy & I. Off to Scotland we go. We leave Wednesday, beginning a thirty hour transit that will take us from summer to winter, from long hot days to short snowy (hopefully!) ones.

Teddy, you little jetsetter you...

squeaking

As my father (Teddy's beloved Grampy) says: "He loves the sound of his own squeak, doesn't he?"

I think this as I listen to many squeaky squeals and sing-song babbles coming from his cot...bliss...

playdate

As Teddy gets older, we begin thinking of when is best to add another to our little family. Trust me, it will not be tomorrow, but as I watch him & his little friend (who is about 9 months older) play my heart smiles to think one day Teddy might be pressing the button to make the bear sing & his little brother or sister smile.

I love our 'now' - and I cannot wait for our future...

sqeals of delight

Squeals are heard, followed by the slap of little hands on the floorboards as you race off on another adventure...

simple pleasures

A simple salad with chicken - with a dash of good olive oil.

Heaven...

home sweet home

We arrived home from a three week holiday at the beach - wee Teddy, you could not wipe the grin from your face as you raced around to revisit all your 'friends' left behind, exploring all your old haunts in the living room and kitchen.

I am so happy home if where your heart is and you are as happy to be here as we are...

bliss

Bliss is listening to Teddy squeal with delight in another room, panting for mercy as Papy wrestles & tickles him...

new year

Welcome 2013. May it be as wonderful as 2012, perhaps better (although last year will be hard to beat)...

ergo baby

For Christmas I bought my husband an Ergo baby carrier. We have used it twice a day since he opened it (at the early celebration with my family) & I must say it has lived up to the hype.

Much love to all who shouted from the rooftops it was their favourite carrier, I wouldn't have got it otherwise...thank you. Thank you. Thank you.