Free Standing

Recently Ivy has started standing unsupported a LOT. And by recently I mean today. It is really impressive. And it's also slightly scary/sad because it is one step closer to walking. Walking meaning that she would officially be a toddler and no longer a baby.

I'm surprised that this is the first time I've felt any sadness over her growing, in that panicky "OMG slow down!" way. I've never wished for her to still be tiny because I've always been enjoying the age that she is in the present so much. And I've loved each stage more than the last, but maybe that's the thing - I'm loving her right now so much it's hard to believe it'll get better! (I probably had also been too sleep deprived to realise she was growing or to think to be nostalgic).

And walking. Walking is something totally different. Walking is what separates babies from adults. Walking is kind of a big deal.

But it's ok because she's not walking yet. She's only just standing. So I should just relax and enjoy it while it lasts.

Yesterday (standing but holding on. Still no photos of free standing. I am too slow with the camera.):

The Newborn Collection

Two weeks ago I finally admitted that Ivy's newborn size clothes no longer fitted her. I was pretty sad to have to pack away some of the tiny, pretty things that kept her warm in these early weeks. My favourites from her newborn wardrobe...

My squishy 10 hour old newborn in her Birth Day outfit. This came with a matching hat that was weirdly proportioned and never actually fit, so she is wearing the hat from the midwife.



This outfit was given to her and was the first girly thing she wore. Here she is at two days old being held by her Grandad.



Being held by her Grandad again at 13 days old. I love this purple elephant top from Haley. I tried to squeeze her in to it for as long as possible!



This cardigan still fits her (yay!) and was given to Ivy by Emmelie and Helen, knitted by Helen's Mum. The buttons went really well with this little purple sleepsuit with trees on it that she looked so lovely in. 17 days old and asleep on me.



She also looks great simply in white. Just over three weeks old.



Super neck control in purple and green stripes at nearly one month old.



More head control and stripes, this is another top from Haley which Ivy was still squeezing into at 5 weeks.



Her lovely cosy brown bearsuit, giving a wave at 5 weeks.



Striking a karate pose in her calf sleepsuit at 5 weeks.



And now I am having fun dressing her in the 0-3 and 2-4 month sizes, especially thanks to some preloved clothes gifted to Ivy.

The first 10 days

On 2nd December I decided to restart my photo-a-day project in an attempt to get my photo-mojo back and get reacquainted with my camera in preparation for having a tiny person to photograph! I should really have chosen a neater date to start on, last time I started on the 4th January. These photos really reflect how how of practice I am with photo-taking, and also how little I am able to get out and about what with being eight months pregnant and suffering with SPD (pelvic pain). Hopefully the photos will improve even if my mobility won't!

Creating

In the beginning of my pregnancy, all of my creative energy dissapeared. My 365 project faded away when I kept forgetting to take a photo until late at night and ended up with some dissapointing pictures of things in my room - that wasn't the point of the project, so it ceased. With feeling sick all day everyday I lost all desire to cook and bake. I struggled to finish paintings for the exhibition and instead chose to exhibit those that were already finished. I even lost enjoyment in listening to music. I guess my body/mind was filtering out anything not necessary in favour of being able to focus my (little) energy on what really was necessary - and it saddens me to think of art as 'unecessary'.

I have been feeling well enough and energised enough to be able to reintroduce all this creativity back into my life for a while now, but I guess I am out of habit, and in a different environment, so it hasn't come back naturally.

I have a teeny weeny sewing machine that cost £12.99 so I am working my way up to making a baby quilt. As we are not yet in our own home, it's been difficult to find ways to nest and prepare to the new arrival - so making baby things is the way forward! My small practice projects so far have been a patchwork quilted coaster (x2) and a pencil case for Kwojo who starts back at uni on Monday. The first coaster is smaller and more wobbly than the second, it's exciting to see the improvement! It's also great to be finally using the Africa fabrics that Kwojo's Mum gave me.



And of course my body is being the most creative it ever has been or ever could be - I'm making a human :)



The baby project is 67.6% complete and expected to be finished in January 2011.