36/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Your vocabulary grows with every new day and I love listening to you explore how to put all your new words together. Your little sister and I lay in the sun watching you play one afternoon when you stopped, smiled at me and ran to Harry. You kissed her on the head and said "Bubbie Hawwy, I so love you" then ran off to continue your game. I couldn't help but cry.

Harriet :: We welcomed your first spring by lounging in the front yard. I watched as you slept, the suns rays warming your back and your sisters laugh echoing in the background...

 - Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

35/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: You are mesmerised by nature and all that is has to offer. Although you had not been 100% I could not deny your request to stand in the rain after we had been to collect the mail...

Harriet :: Oh darling girl, those beautiful eyes tell us you have been here before!

 - Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

34/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Your new wooden hospital has come in handy this week while we battled against a nasty flu (even if it was supposed to be for Christmas).

Harriet :: We get a bit of flack for always having you in blue but you just look so beautiful. Besides, we don't believe in 'gender colours'...

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

33/52

 "A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Your new drink bottle says it all...

Harriet :: One of your favourite places to sleep in the wee hours of the night...

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

32/52

 "A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: "Lets go to da pardy Mum" so excited to be heading out for the day!

Harriet :: In honour of world breast feeding week... You do love to feed my darling Winter baby and I love those quiet moments when it is just the two of us, you look straight into my eyes and my heart.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

31/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: There has not been a lot of sleep happening in our parts of late which has led to most days being spent in our pyjamas. Not that you mind one little bit!

Harriet :: Sleeping peacefully in the morning sun. (If you could possibly try for a few more hours at night I would be ever so thankful)

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

30/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: It is hard work being a big sister, especially one as wonderful as you are.

Harriet :: It may have taken us eight days to remember but you absolutely loved your first bath.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

29/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: You amaze me... You have taken the last week (and all its chaos) in your stride and have shown, once again, what an incredible little girl you are. You are besotted with your little sister and can often be found by her side telling her stories.

Baby R :: Miss Harriet Winter, you have stolen our hearts! I cannot believe you are here in our arms... When I can find the words I will write the incredible story of how you entered the world and the terrifying scare you gave us all the next day.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

28/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: On the eve of your sisters due date we were all feeling a little restless so we decided to rug up and walk to the park. I watched as you ran and laughed, chasing your Daddy and Nanny with pure delight.

Baby R :: Well little one, this is your family! We already love you beyond measure and cannot wait to meet you... Just a heads up, this is your sisters cranky face (she was not impressed to be leaving the park)!

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

27/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: This week at school was dress up week, children were offered a selection of amazing items each day to build an outfit using their imagination. Every afternoon I would find you playing in the sparkliest of dresses and the entire way home you would tell me stories of "fairy pwincess Audie, flyin high in da guy"! When I saw this glittery number for sale at a bargain price of $8 I put my fear of hot pink and sparkles to the side and you haven't wanted to take it off!

Baby R :: You will be our Winter baby! There are so many things I am looking forward to sharing with you... Snuggling in the Winters morning sun, wrapping you close to my heart in our beautiful slings, dressing you in hand knitted wears to keep you warm and early afternoon strolls.

* Matching bonnets for Frog and her little brother or sister from Greer at Typically Red and little booties from Ash & Jules at Sunny and Dear.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

26/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: The recent cold snap and fierce winds have meant fishing out our Winter woolies!

Baby R :: 38 weeks tomorrow and surprisingly I can still see my toes.... Well sort of!

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

25/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Our afternoons of late have been spent in the back yard soaking up the last of the winters sun. You tend to the chickens, chase after Oscar and bounce on the trampoline until your legs can no longer hold you.

Baby R :: We walked the grounds of Milton Park where your Dadda and I were married I could not help but feel completely blessed. As your sister ran up and down the stairs that were our makeshift aisle I reminisced of the day I walked those very stairs. I was a girl, a girl in love, with a new chapter of my life about to unfold. You and your sister were but a dream for our future, as I held my belly I felt you moving and I knew you were experiencing this beautiful moment with me.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

The Name Game

How did you go about deciding your children's names? Did you stick to a theme? Perhaps take it in turns? Did you ask your other children for input? Or do you follow the syllable rule?

We are having the hardest time finding the perfect name for Baby Rampling!

When pregnant with Audrey, Luke and I chose to find out if we were expecting a boy or girl. As soon as we knew we had a little girl on the way names seemed to come easy and we quickly decided on Audrey May. Hormones and restlessness had me questioning our decision late in my third trimester but as soon as she popped her head out of the water and was placed on my chest it was clear she was our Audrey May...

This time round we have decided it would be nice to have a surprise and for the most part I love not knowing if Baby Rampling is pink or blue but it has made choosing a name far more difficult. Added to the difficulty is trying to find a name that compliments Audrey, we are not into 'matchy' names but I am definitely mindful of how the two names sound together.

While Luke and I tend to have similar taste when it comes to names he loves to throw some curve balls into the mix (showing his Bellingen upbringing) which intrigue me but I'm always unsure of. Oh and he absolutely refuses to have surnames as first names (which I absolutely love).

So here we are less then four weeks till our due date and without a name for our darling boy or girl... I have listed our top picks below but as you will see there are no matches! How long do you have before you have to register your child's name????

Luke's Top Five Pink Names:
1. Annabel
2. Harriet
3. Eadie
4. Winter
5. Primrose

Luke's Top Five Blue Names:
1. Louis
2. Arlo
3. Ayrton
4. William
5. Jude

My Top Five Pink Names:
1. Luisa
2. Magnolia
3. Marlowe
4. Francis
5. Spencer

My Top Five Blue Names:
1. Goodwyn
2. Hugo
3. August
4. Ari
5. Lawson

Frog's Top Five Pink Names:
1. Elsa
2. Elsa
3. Elsa
4. Elsa
5. Elsa

Frog's Top Five Blue Names:
1. Elsa
2. Elsa
3. Elsa
4. Elsa
5. Elsa

24/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Never one to miss out on a photo you jumped straight up on our bed while your Daddy was taking a picture of your Baby brother or sister and said "I smile, I smile"! You then smothered my belly with kisses before jumping off the bed in search of a new adventure...

Baby R :: We did it! Rest and water have seen your amniotic fluid score go from 5.6 to 9.3 in ten days so we don't have to be induced! We are all very excited to meet you but we are very happy you will get to stay, growing inside with love for a few more weeks...

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

23/52

"A portrait of my babes, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Audrey :: Sometimes I find you in the funniest of places, doing the funniest of things. You were meant to be having your day sleep but instead I found you wearing your dress up tutu, admiring your resplendent self in my mirror...

Baby R :: You like keeping us on our toes! Our ultrasound this week discovered you are low on amniotic fluid so we have spent every second day attached to a CTG monitoring your strong heart and movement. We have a few more CTG's to go and another ultrasound on Thursday before we find out if you will be meeting us earlier then expected.

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Documenting Audrey | In The Kitchen

She takes great pride in helping to make the family meals. She measures, rolls, squeezes, and chops with lips pursed in concentration. Every so often I hear her whisper to herself "dis is gunna be weally nice". She looks to me for guidance but insists on doing most things herself. I cherish this time together and remind myself not to hurry her. As we sit down to enjoy her great feasts we give thanks and her contented smile warms my heart.

With my belly growing rounder and butterfly sensations turning into swift kicks I am reminded that in a few short months we will be a family of four. With this in mind I have started a little project for my first baby, our Frog. I want to remember her, the every day her, the things that somehow get missed in all the baby books and journals. Over the coming months I will document the little parts of her day that are so special at this age with a few photos and words, the third in this series is in the kitchen...

* You can see sleep here

** You can see play here

22/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Lately I have noticed something about you... You are a thinker. I often find you eyes fixed on the world, lips pursed, in deep concentration. When I ask you what you are thinking about you just look at me and smile. I don't mind that you are not ready to share your inner thoughts with me just yet but I am here for you whenever you are...

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

21/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014"

I know I say it all the time but you truly are your happiest when surrounded by nature. Early one morning over breakfast you requested to go and feed the ducks so we rugged up and off we went... After feeding the ducks we walked up to the paddocks to see the local jersey cows, you kept yelling "come on quackies, we go see da cows!"

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Our Family Table

In an attempt to save our pennies and fill our bellies with wholesome, delicious food I have been meal planning up a storm. I used to find planning our family meals a restrictive and tiring task but with another little mouth to feed on the way and the constant pull of feeling time poor I decided to give it another go. Many recipes have been tried and tested in our little kitchen over the past few months and these are a few of our families Autumn favourites... 

This delicious side dish is served with steamed fish or grilled chicken seasoned with lemon and paprika and seasonal vegetables. I halve the recipe between two baking dishes and we enjoy it two nights a week.

This warming risotto has to be one of my favourite meals at the moment, we always get two nights meals and serve with crusty home baked bread.

* I often leave out the chicken for Meat Free Mondays...

With a mission to save school lunch boxes, Kate's recipes are always inspiring and leave you wanting more! These brownies have been baked at least once a fortnight since I discovered Kate's delectable recipe and stored in the freezer for an afternoon pick me up or after school treat!

Another double nighter!! Briar's Chicken Corn and Spinach Soup warms the heart and is by far Frog's favourite dish. Served with Garlic and Rosemary pizza bread or crusty sourdough (did I mention we get two nights dinners??)

This banana bread never lasts long in our kitchen! It is my go to 'hope you feel better' present for friends and is enjoyed by all. It sure beats the $5 a slice stuff from the coffee shop at work...

Served with dinners to slop up those last bits of soup or risotto or for lunch with a fresh salad we love this gluten free garlic and rosemary pizza bread...

20/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014"

When we hear friends are feeling blue we like to bake them this banana bread... You are a wonderful little helper, especially when it comes to cleaning the spatula!

** The best part about this recipe is it makes enough for two loaves! **

- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Documenting Audrey | Play

Her hands are always busy, always looking for new ways to learn and to create... With an imagination that knows no limits, I watch as plastic animals are whisked away to vast lands full of adventure. Conversations of great importance take place between dolls and cars and the most simple of objects carry with them a story waiting to be told. Over time I have learnt to be led by her, not to lead. She is my greatest teacher.

With my belly growing rounder and butterfly sensations turning into swift kicks I am reminded that in a few short months we will be a family of four. With this in mind I have started a little project for my first baby, our Frog. I want to remember her, the every day her, the things that somehow get missed in all the baby books and journals. Over the coming months I will document the little parts of her day that are so special at this age with a few photos and words, the second is play...

* You can see sleep here