Walking the neighbourhood. 
I’m still pregnant and anxiously awaiting the arrival of this baby boy. Surely, today has to be the day?  

Walking the neighbourhood. 

I’m still pregnant and anxiously awaiting the arrival of this baby boy. Surely, today has to be the day?  

40 weeks + 2 Days

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

With each little twinge, I wonder is this it? And then my stomach fills up with butterflies. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m ready. I’m ready?

I keep remembering back to Eva’s birth — the pain, the relief, the instant bond, the love — and I can’t wait. Finally I feel ready for this change and ready to hold my baby boy in my arms. 

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”

19/52

“Giraffe” 

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This morning a beautiful little package arrived from Eva’s Great-Aunt, she immediately fell in loves her ‘raff dress and matching accessories. As soon as she put it on, she ran around the house saying, “I’m so pretty!”. We had to practically pry it off her at bedtime.

Along with some adorable homemade bibs for the baby boy, this delivery was a welcome distraction to the fact that I’m still pregnant and my due date is tomorrow! 

Buddha’s Birthday

Buddha’s birthday is a great cultural event celebrated throughout the world, which I explained to Eva as: “There’s the guy. His name is Buddha, it’s his birthday and red is his favourite colour.”

This is actually an improvement compared to my explanation of Easter.

Despite my weak as anything cultural explanation, it was great day. There were firecrackers, lion dances, bodhisattvas and monks. Eva was not impressed by the firecrackers (“Too loud!”) but was fascinated by the lion dancing and animal chalkboards. Cultural education completed.

Anticipation

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Dear Baby Boy,

We’re all excited to final meet you. As each day passes, the anticipation grows. Your big sister, Eva, is eagerly awaiting your arrival. She talks to you daily. She tells you stories, gives you tours of the house, and constantly shushes everyone, telling them that “the baby is sleeping.”

And although we still haven’t settled on a name, the hospital bag is packed and we are ready. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. I can’t wait to bring you home and into our lives. 

Love, Mummy

38 Weeks.

In many ways this pregnancy is much like the one I had with Eva — relatively easy apart from the occasional periods of exhaustion. But the thing no one seems to tell you about your second pregnancy, is that you don’t have the same amount of time to obsess.

Apart from occasionally checking the weekly updates on my Baby Center app, I didn’t pick up one single pregnancy/birthing related book. This wasn’t because I felt like I already “know it all”, but rather I just didn’t have the time. 

I only just finished packing my hospital bag a couple of days ago. With Eva, it was packed up and ready to go at 35 weeks. I’ve slowly taken my time buying new maternity singlets, bras and pyjamas along with tiny baby onesies, newborn nappies and other unmentionables. 

Second time around, I’m terrified of giving birth again. I had hoped by now I would be at peace with the prospect of going into labour, but I can’t help but feel anxious. The problem is I now know the pain. Drug free — I still remember it. And I guess watching episodes of One Born Every Minute isn’t helping to alleviate my fears.

Since my due date is still 8 days away, I going to try to take whatever time left to try to relax. I’m off to my prenatal yoga class in the morning, maybe I’ll find a little confidence that I have the ability to do it again. Otherwise, I can only hope for a quick and uncomplicated birth and try to stay focused on meeting my baby boy.  

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”
18/52
“Sleeping Beauty”

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”

18/52

“Sleeping Beauty”


Slightly disheveled after a trip to the library, Eva stood still long enough for me to snap these pictures. 

What Eva Wore — Headband: Witchery, Dress: Crewcuts, Boots: Seed Heritage 

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”
17/52
“Little Girl”
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As Eva’s 3rd birthday draws closer, it’s hard to see the toddler in her. Everyday Eva is becoming more and more a little girl — long uncut hair, long complex stories and greater independence. 
 

“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”

17/52

“Little Girl”

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As Eva’s 3rd birthday draws closer, it’s hard to see the toddler in her. Everyday Eva is becoming more and more a little girl — long uncut hair, long complex stories and greater independence. 

 

When to Stop?

When I first started blogging I was a little over 25 weeks pregnant with Eva. Initially, it was simply a way to journal and document my pregnancy and, of course, Eva’s growth and milestones. But somehow it went beyond that. Blogging became an avenue to express both the challenges and joys of being a first-time parent,  a place where I’ve met and connected with other parents—people whom I would genuinely consider friends—and as I’ve said before, this blog is Eva’s modern day baby book.

While the pages of Eva’s physical baby book remain blank, this blog has compeled me to write evan at times it felt like a chore. And I’m so glad I did. I have a written record and images which document Eva’s childhood.

Having said that, I’ve chosen to keep this blog open, which of course has it down sides. I choose to share this information openly, to share images of my daughter. And I guess up until now I haven’t had any issues or problems. But as my readership has grown and Eva has gotten older, I’ve questioned myself more and more about whether or not it’s time to stop.

Having a blog has definitely impacted my life. For over 3 years I’ve blogged weekly, if not daily. It is a part of my life.

I’m grateful for the encouragement, support and kind words you have given me. But along with the positive, comes a little negative. Being a parent is hard enough. I know, as a parent, how easy and quick it can be to judge others. While I’ve never felt the need to address the criticism or the need to justify our decisions as parents. But what I will say is — this blog is just a small glimpse of our life, and my daughter’s for that matter, it doesn’t define us. 

And while I’m not quite ready to give up blogging (after all I have another baby to document!), I anticipate there will be an end. Foreseeing an end, when I signed up to Instagram, I choose to set it to private, that way I can control (to a certain extent) who I share my images with. You can find me under the username: happinessiseva, but until then, here is a little of our life from Instagram:

Eva’s obsession with Toy Story:

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Our obsession with cafes and breakfast on the weekend:

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Out and about:

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Eva’s obsession with dressing up:

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and a little preparation for the baby boy:

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Hello!


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Features

Milestones

Eva's Nursery 

Eva's Toddler Room

Dear Eva

What Eva Wore

1st Birthday Party

2nd Birthday Party

Party Party Party

Videos

366 Project

Learning at Home

Favourite Things

52 Project

Baby Boy


Seen Here

Apartment Therapy -- Best Kids Parties: Pretty in Pink

Apartment Therapy -- Eva's Playroom

Little Sooti -- Pretty in Pink Party

Spearmint Baby -- Pretty in Pink 1st Birthday Party

Dear Baby Magazine -- Letters to Eva (pp 68-71)

 

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