Santa Drop-Off

Obviously the most important part of Christmas, is writing a letter to Santa.  So yesterday, I sat down with Moo and we got down to business.

She dictated, I wrote.....

and then she decided that she was too interested in cutting the paper to make paper chains. May I add, since when did my baby become so clever with scissors? Seriously, I was freaking out - blurting out random "Watch your fingers"...."Are you sure you don't want Mummy to do it?"...."Please be careful"......and she stopped....grabbed my face with her tiny hands and looked me in the eyes. She said very slowly and very careful "Mum - I.can.do.it". Enough said.

So today, while Macie played at Daycare and William didn't know what was going on, Santa came to visit to decorate our house and deliver a very special "someone" for our darling children.

He placed a wreath on the door, put the Christmas tree up, decorated and made the cottage feel very festive.

He left a special present under the tree.....a book explaining all about his special someone....

and I wonder who that special "someone" will be???

And for now....we are off to town to pick up Macie.  I am beyond excitement....and I know that she will be too!

{Photoshoot} - Beautiful Mary

The ever so beautiful,

ever so delightful,

Mary.



Out of Macie's mouth....

I don't think anything can be as funny as the phrases that are coming out of Macie's mouth at the moment.  She has us in absolute stitches most days and we have to continuously remind ourselves that we have a little parrot that is listening to our E.V.E.R.Y word!

Some of the beauties at the moment.....

When Willy is crying...."It's alright buddy - no crying mate, it'll be OK.  Where's your happy face?  Do I need to help you find it?"...

When Willy is smiling...."Oh look at that Mummy - he is smiling!  Oh aren't you just a darling William!"

"GEDDDOWN"....when the bloody dogs are barking!

"COME ON CHOOKIES"....trying to get the chooks (who think they are dogs) to play with her.

"I'm SO Happy right now" after we had a special takeaway picnic to watch the fireworks at the show.

Heath was home the other day so I took full advantage and went and had a long shower, washed my hair and then straightened it.  I came out of the bedroom and she said "Oh Mummy - you look so beautiful".  Then later on in the morning, I placed my hair up into a ponytail.  Next thing I have Macie running up to me saying "Put your hair out Mummy - it looks so beautiful down!". 

When asked if she has thanked her Daddy she says "Oh Thanks BABE".....I call Heath "Babe"....oh dear!  She proceeded to say "Thanks Babe" to her Great-Grandma the other day.  Eek!

When she smells that Willy has a pooey bum....she will hold her nose and say "THAT'S DISGUSTING WILLIAM!"

If she spots Heath or I with anything in our mouths she will say "Get that out of your mouth right now!  What happens if you swallow it?  It will make your belly go "Ow"!!!". 

and the latest one is....

"I'M HUNGRY"....and she says this all day long!

She makes us laugh, scream, smile and cry - but at the end of the day, she is the most beautiful, delightful, clever and loving little girl that we are so proud to call our daughter.  What a priviledge to watch this little girl grow. 

**  All photos are of "Farmer Macie" who wants to spend her days on the tractor with her Daddy planting the wheat.  She waited by the window yesterday afternoon until he came to pick her up and then spent hours with him.  Seriously special memories. **

Supermoon last night!!  

{Photoshoot} Gorgeous Gorgeous Girls

Before Christmas, I had the pleasure of capturing the beauty of these gorgeous girls.  I have had to keep them under lock & key until canvas' were printed and given as gifts so I am so happy that I am able to share these gorgeous girls with you. 

There is nothing more rewarding to visit these gorgeous girls and see my photography on a big canvas on their wall!! 

Enjoy!

I am itching to get back behind the camera and slowly going to be taking bookings over the next few months as William settles into life at the cottage.  To make a booking for a photo shoot - please don't hestiate to contact me via e-mail at hannah@dallicottage.com.au.  X 

{Photoshoot} Lovely Ladies

Over the last few days, we have had my sister and her beautiful family staying with us at the Cottage.  I love spending quality time with her - where we talk about everything that you can't talk about over the phone.  We share our opinions, parenting and then exchange laughs when we realise what a transformation our lives have taken now we are both mums.  It's magical though how an even tighter bond has formed between us now that we are both mothers.  We understand without having to explain and we know what a simple "I'm Fine" means.....

So when I was contacted by two beautiful sisters who wanted to photograph their children together - it only seemed fitting.  I really love to capture the moment and the magic.  I especially loved watching these two sisters together as they dotted on each others children like they were their own. 

Here is a little snippet of the beautiful little girls in their beautiful garden.  Thank you for allowing me to capture your lovely ladies on an even lovelier afternoon.  X

Boys & their cars!

It was blistering hot yesterday - and the little boys for my afternoon shoot were such troopers.  Thankfully a little breeze picked up to make it cool down from the 40's - and it wasn't all too bad!  Little Man wasn't too keen on the heat but we managed to get a few shots showcasing his gorgeous happy smile. 

With two little boys - their Mummy wanted nothing more than old vintage cars and tractors!  A big thank you to Heath for driving the tractor out to the paddock specially for this shoot and then helping us with the boys.  That husbo of mine really is a keeper!

Here is a sneak peek....can you tell I am in the B&W mood??

Photoshoot: Beautiful Family

I had the pleasure this afternoon to capture the love, adoration and respect that this little family oozes.  The lingering cuddles with Daddy and the understanding between Mums and daughters that is like their own special language.  I loved to watch them - to capture them - and to spend time with them. 

I only hope my photos do them justice. 

Here is a little sneak peek of the beautiful family.... thank you for allowing me into your special little circle.  X

Maternity Shoot: Jen & Scarlett

I am so blessed to have so many terrific friends where I live.  The kind of friends where you send a quick text message and within hours we are all together at the park, having coffee and watching our little ones earn themselves a decent naptime for the day.  We all seem to be on the same page with motherhood, relationships and the loneliness of being a Farmers Widow when life on the farm gets busy.  We seem to catch up more when the boys get busier....and not once do our husbands complain?  Why you ask?  Because our friends make us happy.

So, when my beautiful friend Jen asked me to capture some pregnancy and Mother/Daughter shots for her - I was only too happy to oblige.  Jen is an amazing person who will do anything for anyone.  She wears her heart on her sleeve, laughs with all her beauty and will cry at any sad story you throw at her.  The love she shows for her family and her little girl Scarlett is nothing short of beautiful.  The special bond that they have between them is something that only a Mum can begin to understand.

As usual....I will let the photos do the talking. 

A big thank you to Jen for allowing me to share and capture this special time in her life.  I can't wait to have our second babies being friends just like Macie and Scarlett are now.  X

Maternity Shoot with Bec

In my eyes, one of the great beauties of the world is a beautiful, glowing pregnant woman who is dying to meet her newborn.  Ask them to look down at their bellies and they just gaze - imagining holding the little one in their arms - and that is where the magic starts.

I truly love maternity photography.  Sharing the special times with the Mama-To-Be and this shoot was no different.  A big thanks to Bec for letting me share these beautiful photos with the world.

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.

-Lin Yutang

Unproductive.

Admittedly, I have been so unproductive lately.  My house, washing pile, floors and thirsty garden proves my findings.  The dust on my sewing machine is just the cherry on top. 

The thing is - that I have been productive for so many endless months.....it's about time I be unproductive - just to even things out.

However, I am happy to report that I managed to blow the dust off the sewing machine and I completed the very first quilting project that I started months ago.  I wanted to make a little playmat/quilt for my new little nephew who is due to born any day now.....

and here is the result. 

Shabby and made with love.  I didn't want the cubes to match up in a perfect pattern - instead I wanted it to be 'imperfect' to represent that everyone and everything are beautiful in their own special way - no matter the colour of their hair, skin or if they have 11 toes. 

So, even though the result of my unproductiveness is creating a little voice that shouts "Oh my god - I really need to sew".....I am loving MY time....with my girl, my husbo and my family.....but more so - with me.  Over the past year, any time that I had to myself - I would be sewing for Dalli....for nearly 7 hours a day.  Over the past few weeks, I have actually laid down with Macie with her afternoon sleeps, cuddled her endlessly on the couch while we watch cartoons together and have just enjoyed our days together.  I have snuggled on the couch with Heath at nights - which is such a rare occasion as usually I am on the sewing machine as soon as Miss Moo is asleep....and until Heath is asleep on the couch. 

I have listened to my instincts - and I have taken a wee break.  Just a little one to revitalise, refocus and decide where I want to take my little business into the future.  How to do things differently - to be a stand-out in the world of so many creative businesses.

But one thing is for sure - and that is that I will always love to write...I will always love to blog....

and I hope that you will always love to read.  X