{Originally published January 2016} When Rian was born, we got loads of practical and thoughtful gifts for him. One of the gifts we got was a memory box – well actually we got two beautiful ones – and I love them. However, there are some things you can’t put into the memory boxes or the…
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“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller ~A letter to my sons~ Sometimes I wonder about what you’ll be like as grown men. Will you get married, will you have kids? Will you achieve all you want, will…
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When Rian was born, I used to hold him as a tiny baby during those long sleepless nights of feeding and think about what sort of little boy he’d be, what sort of teenager he’ll turn into, and what sort of man he’ll grow up to become. Back then, each stage seemed like light years…
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“The obligation for working mothers is a very precise one: the feeling that one ought to work as if one did not have children, while raising one’s children as if one did not have a job.” -Annabel Crabb, Policital Journalist {Also features on The M Word } I’m very sure there are lots of us…
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{Part 2 of 2} Monday 3 November, 2014 You were due on October 28th, which as we know now obviously is your little brother’s birthday. Incidentally, they originally wanted to deliver him on November 3rd – but I flat out refused and said that no, you can’t do it that day, that’s Rian’s birthday. The…
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{Part 1 of 2} Over the last four, and last two years, these boys have brought so much happiness to us, the sheer joy they bring each and every day is beyond words. To hear them say the word ‘Mama’ and know it’s me they’re addressing is just the best sound in the world. I…
Read MoreThe Chair arrived before either of you did. I remember the day we picked it out, the day we went to do the Baby Shopping – the same day we had our 20 week scan with you, Rian, and found out to our immense relief that you were growing perfectly. We left the hospital clutching…
Read MoreWhen I discovered I was going to be a mother, I sat and wondered about lots of things. Practical things like what things do we need to buy? What should we name you? HOW WILL I GET YOU OUT?! But more than just the practical things. What would you be like? What kind of person…
Read MoreI remember during one particularly tough phase of Rian’s first few months when he had colic, someone said to me ‘This too shall pass’ – and of course it does. I see it quite often in parenting groups; someone will ask for advice on dealing with some tricky new hurdle and usually all we can…
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The Scenic Route 