28/52

Chasing seagulls.

I really like the idea of trying to capture spirit and personality through portraiture. 

After swimming, this is probably his favourite thing to do at the beach! What almost-two-year-old doesn't like chasing birds?

Joining in with Jodi. (Thanks Jodi for featuring last week's portrait on Che and Fidel!)

You can see the series of portraits here.

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I must also apologise (again) for my lack of response to comments - the boy has not slept before 10pm for over a week. There is light - and an end - he has dropped his day nap and we are happily reclaiming some badly-needed adult time in the evenings. Huzzah!

27/52

Throwing pebbles into the lagoon.

The weeks are flying by. 

We are relishing the return of the sun after a patch of very cold, dramatic weather.

Saying goodbyes, and welcoming new friends.

Logistics planning and major purchase shopping.

Herb planting and star-gazing.

But most of all, just trying to enjoy the small moments.

He is loving throwing pebbles and seedpods into water and hearing the 'plop'. I think this must make him officially a small boy.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

26/52

Winter light and a soaring imagination

We've had a lot of indoors weather. I'm posting this (late) from the depths of a subtropical low - lots of howling wind and relentless rain. Extreme weather is part of life on an island Cape, that's for sure.

One of his favourite things to do inside is sit with his basket of empty jars and spice containers and make a big curry or stew in a pot. He loves opening and closing the lids and offering me tastes from his spoon.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here. I cannot believe the year is half done! And in four more portraits, we'll have a two-year-old!

Also must say a big thank you to everyone who has left lovely comments - the last few weeks have been super busy and involved travel, so I am still catching up.

25/52

My boy, becoming quite the confident adventurer.

His confidence is growing and he's often happiest bustling off in front, wherever the whim takes him. And clearly he's happy about this. I think we've finally shaken the worst of the wobbly days of me-do-it frustrations.

I'm grateful for his curiosity about the natural world. And it's been lovely to watch him adventure with my Mum, the self-taught naturalist. Both of them with their noses in a shell, inspecting an insect, or just wandering. It's for these moments I'm most grateful.

I hope he gets to spend many more days with her like this.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

24/52

Bubble delight with Grandma!

It's not often we get visits from his interstate Grands.

So this early morning bubble play with Grandma in the front yard is extra special.

Especially when Grandma teaches you how to blow your first bubble!

Thanks Grandma and Pop for making the very long road trip to see us - we love having you here!

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Oh and may I count the ways in which we love winter? One, for the chance to wear woollens and retro Hawaiian shirts (which makes it our most fabulous weather in my books). Two, for the quiet chilly beaches, and winter beaches always remind me of this amazing roadtrip. And three, for the respite from our very long, dastardly summer.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

23/52

My little companion.

I often wonder what it must be like to have a little girl.

This one, he is all boy.

Or should that be *BOY!*

He smells of Vegemite and sweat.

His engine runs hot. And he is always running, running, running.

Or climbing, digging, sifting, splashing... or down on his belly inspecting ants soldiering through forests of grass.

He is determined and vocal, but the shyest kid there ever was (other than me!).

Always carrying things, here, there... and daily rearranging our house in the process. 

He has a large obsession with lids and buttons, locks and levers. And water. And things that go - the more flashing lights, the better. And smelling e-very-thing.

His first tiny dreadlocks have appeared... and the problem of his fringe (won't have it cut). What to do? For now we're taking the path of least resistance and hoping it grows quickly and out of his eyes. And sticking a clip in it sometimes :-0 

And besides, a boy living at a lighthouse needs a shaggy do.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

onwards // upwards

Twenty two, the week there will be no portrait.

It was too emotionally draining, too busy, too sleepless. 

And I am too exhausted, too close to the end of my rope.

Actually I think I unravelled and slipped right off the end for a few blips...

This week I became the mother and partner I never want to see myself be again.

And yet, early into week twenty three, I was hopeful. I loaded a fresh battery and switched on my camera.

Alas, I didn't take one shot last week. Which is kinda sad.

But I'm so glad to be moving through a new week, even though today began at 4am and yesterday is a blur.

Shots are from a few weeks back of the gorgeous one testing out his climbing. The concentration! The looking like a baby and a little old man all at once! 

*Sigh* 

Love him.