#reverb12 Day 29: Hearing my word...

My word for 2012, without a doubt, has been 'Banjo'. 

The word & the boy were my constant companions - the first thought in my head when I woke up, this precious being to love & hold & feed & change, to cuddle, play with & cherish; the focus of all my daily tasks & often the subject of my dreams too. I had this boy & his name on high rotation &, unlike the numerous songs we wrote for him & those featuring his name-sake instrument that filled our lives & our hearts along with him, I just couldn't get enough.

The loveliest thing is, in recent days he has been saying it himself - his own name! Although it sounds a lot more like 'Pit-chow, pit-chow' (he always repeats it twice)...just adorable. *sigh*

Here are some of the songs we wrote & sing to him:

Banjo, he's our little Newman boy

Banjo, he's our little son

Banjo, he's our little Newman boy

What's he gonna be when he grows up?

My name is Banjo

I feel emotions...all of the time.

[when he's having a melt-down]

Sleepy time, little Banjo.

Sleepy time, little Banjo.

[speaks for itself...I'm not ashamed to say there is often a mumbled 'fucking' in between the first & second lines!]

Banjo's going to child care
Two days a week.
[preparing him for life without Mummy & Daddy]

♥ Dani

#reverb12 Day 8: Your most important relationship?

Can I cheat & have two?

♥ Dani

#reverb12 Day 6: What have I learned?

among other things...'sleeping like a baby' is not what I've always thought it meant!

♥ Dani

#reverb12 Day 5: What was my dream destination?

Having a bub (especially one that has never slept particularly well) has seen the development of some strange &, in hindsight, quite disturbing thoughts this past year such as:

• Oooh..I hope he lets me sleep in 'til 4:30am!
• That top is fine to wear...you can hardly notice the vomit & mashed banana. 
• 45 minutes to wash/hang 2 loads, dust, vacuum & mop the floors, take the rubbish out, do some online banking & check emails? No worries!

And my absolute fave: 

• If only I could go to the toilet....on my own!

♥ Dani

#reverb12 Day 4. How will I celebrate me?

As a working mum, homemaker, wife & self-confessed technophile in the grip of a full-blown craft addiction there's barely a spare minute to be found for a pat on the back or 'Yay, me!' nowadays.

But in consideration of today's prompt & with the season of giving upon us, I've made a conscious decision  to give myself one small gift each day for the 12 days of Christmas - as a way of saying 'Thank you, you're a cool chick, a wonderful wife & Mum & I love hanging out with you!'

(in no particular order)
1. Three hours uninterrupted sewing

2. New nail polish
3. Bub-free trip to Spotlight
4. A piece of cake (guilt-free)!
5. A sleep in
6. No grocery shopping week
7. Something from my Book Depository wishlist
8. A chick flick at the cinema
9. A cleaning lady
10. The time & space for a blog revamp
11. A 'Homeland' Season 2 marathon
12. A bottle of 'Giesen' Sauvignon Blanc

Bring on Christmas! Hmmm...now where to start?

What will you do to celebrate you?

♥ Dani 

#reverb12 Day 2. My most significant spend...

This year my most significant spend was a much needed & well deserved tropical holiday full of...

naps...

nostalgia (the beach where we were married)...

kicking & spinning...

nude ball...

swimming...

me time...

babycinos & marshmallows...

playing on the beach...

contemplation...

family time...

BBQ'ing...

chilling out with old friends & new bubbas...

picnics...

& being well-informed about safety matters! ;)

♥ Dani

#reverb12 Day 1. How am I starting?

It feels very odd to be contemplating new beginnings right now...lately my mind has been firmly planted in the either the past or the future as I contemplate the year that was & the path imagined that keeps changing, as it is wont to do.

We have spent this last week holidaying in an old resort town home of ours & it has been a very timely & surreal experience recalling our lives here. This is where we fell in love, where we got married, where we forged some amazing friendships & where many of the dreams for our life together began. Returning here with B to play in the parks we'd previously ignored & meet the bubbas born in our absence has been a magical occasion indeed.

So...how am I starting?

With a fresh perspective on where we are & how far we've come

With reinvigorated friendships & new memories to treasure

With a little boy who is now saying 'car'

With a beautiful & wonderfully clever new Doctor for a husband (so proud!)

With a heavy heart & an empty space for the baby we were longing to meet

With the physical traces of pain & loss

With a Christmas shopping list as long as the line up for Santa photos

With a creative thirst

With a full social calendar

With the smell of sunscreen...

♥ Dani