What's been happening lately?

Life has really been so hectic lately that it was only yesterday that I managed to sit down and go through my camera....which hasn't been used too much recently either.  I figured I must write it all down before it becomes old news...

Living on a farm certainly has it's benefits and this is a photo that not every child can boast about.  Heath found an orphaned Joey and bought it home for us to look after.  Macie affectionately called it "Roo" (original I know!) and was absolutely besotted by it....mainly because Roo was just as besotted with her! 

If allowed, I swear Macie would play with my iPhone all day every day.  I made the fatal mistake of downloading child-friendly games onto my iPhone to keep her quiet and entertained in restaurants, cafes, etc.  Admittedly, the games are ridiculously educational (and I will continue to keep telling myself that) and she is becoming a serious pro.  Ask her where the ambulance is and she will scroll to unlock the phone, then skip through the pages to find the App and then find the Ambulance.  The reaction on my parents face when I showed them her new trick was absolutely priceless.  The little demand tantrums for ANYONE's iPhone (stranger or not stranger) is not so priceless!

Moo is absolutely obsessed with Daddy's tractor and ask her where her Daddy is....and she will reply with "Tractor".  Heath recently finished the Summer Sorghum plant however we are all holding our breath since the rain gods haven't been overally friendly since planting has finished!  Keep your fingers crossed for us that the little babies start sprouting sooooooooon!!

She may look like her Daddy but she has a love of all handbags and shoes just like her Mummy.  Scenes like these are a regular occurrence on home days at the Cottage.  Just the other day she was strutting around in my sky-high Tony Bianco heels like it was no-one's business.  That's my gal....

Even though the rain has been prominent around here lately - there have also been a few days where the sprinkler has been on and the yard filled with giggles!!  Milly the dog isn't so keen on the sprinkler though and stays firmly beside my feet no matter how much Macie tries to convince her that it's fun!  This is highly entertaining to watch!!

Is this love or what?  Macie and Archer having a lovely little cuddle during my sister's visit a couple of weeks ago.  Archer has made #1 on the list of "Moo Addictions" and if she could cuddle him all day every day she would.  Fingers crossed she loves her baby brother as much....did I mention we are having a BOY??  To say we are excited is a little understatement and we feel so blessed to be have the joy of the pigeon pair!  Bring on February!

During Archer's visit, Macie wasn't so impressed with the baby bath and the fact that Elmo (#2 on the "Moo Addiction" List) wasn't having a bath.....next thing we know Macie brings out Elmo dripping wet....but the bath didn't have any water.  Now think to yourself "Where did she get the water"...."Is the washing machine leaking?"...."Has she worked out how to turn the tap on?"......and then the realisation hits you.....yes people, she dunked poor Elmo in the Loo for his 'bath'....and yes people, she showed us how!  Once my sister and I stopped rolling on the floor laughing, we gave Elmo a proper bath with LOTS of soap and disinfectant!  This is a story for her 21st!

As you have probably noticed, it is becoming almost impossible to capture a photo where Macie is actually looking at the camera and smiling.  Heath managed to capture this little beauty the other day and it's out-of-focus because it was a milli-second window of oppurtunity!  I love it - it captures the cheekiness and happiness of our darling little girl.  It makes the horror swimming lessons and 5.30am morning wake up calls all worth it.....

If the shoe fits....

They say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree....and Miss Moo's latest fascination with shoes just proves the theory.  It doesn't matter if it's a pair of thongs, sky-high wedges or Daddy's boots....if the shoe fits (well not really), she will be walking around in them.  If she can't work out how to get them on, then she comes over to me - grabs my hand and patiently walks me over to the shoes.  It's then that I find myself smiling....she may look like her Daddy but she shares her Mummy's passion.....for shoes. 

When I say that shoes are my passion...I am telling you that I realllllly love shoes.  I dream of having a walk-in wardrobe.  One portion for clothes.....the rest for shoes.  High heels, wedges, pumps, boots, sandals.....every colour of the rainbow....and of course, the belts and handbags to match.  My theory is all you need is a great pain of jeans and a fantastic pair of shoes....and you.are.set! 

Since becoming a Mummy I have happily hung up the heels and opted for the practical and reliable.  No longer having the indispensable bank account - the kind where shoes were more important than food - I now happily wear my trusty footwear.  It's only for the good occasions that I pull out the beauties and feel like a superstar!

Don't get me wrong....on more occasions than one you will find me in front of my shoe collection - in my PJs - trying on my shoes. You may also find me wearing a pair of sky-high black peep-toes while taking photos of my products.....it gives me the extra height and my little shoe-fix.

I see it as the fair trade....shoes for family....and a dog that has a little fetish too. 

It's just like how we have traded long late nights drinking at the pub for early nights with Macie all tucked in bed as we snuggle the night away on the couch watching Crocodile Dundee re-runs. 

Or spending our Saturday mornings in Toy Shops dreaming of all the toys we could buy Moo - instead of shopping up a storm of clothes, shoes and all the rest of it.  Kids and puppies are all we need...

Or quickly scoffing down our lunch while at a resturant once we realise that our darling daughter has turned into the Incredible "Smiling" Hulk....I suppose that happens when you give her a green felt pen and colouring-in book and go about to eat your lunch.....next thing you know she has coloured in her face and it aint coming off with a standard baby wipe.  Classy. 

Or that your biggest meeting of the week is infact a Playdate at the Park with your beautiful friends...instead of high-pressured meeting with a high-flying client with a kazillion-dollars to his name.  Playdates are the event of my week....I would jump rivers and climb moutains to see Miss Moo play with her friends and hear their giggles.  Best.Sound.Ever. 

Give me sneakers, haviannas or scruffy RM boots any day over sky-high heels and stinky pubs.....if it means that I have the honourary job of raising my beautiful girl and being her Mama.  If it means that I may wear the deadly combination of joggers and jeans on more than one occasion....all to hear her get excited about Bananas in Pyjamas coming on television.......but I wouldn't change it for the world.

If the shoe fits....then wear it....treasure it....savour it....love it....smell it....and memorise it. 

Because, before long, this darling little girl will be wearing her own sky-high heels, attending her own high-profile meetings and experiencing her own fair share of stinky pubs.....

but for now....she's all mine.  X